Background
BMW 1600 Touring (E6) was the entry-level version of the BMW 02 Series Touring family and one of BMW’s earliest attempts to combine a sporting compact car with a more practical hatchback body. Introduced in 1971, the Touring differed from the conventional two-door 02 Series saloon through its shorter rear section, long roofline and large upward-opening tailgate. The 1600 Touring offered more modest performance than the 2000 and 2000 tii versions but retained the same light and driver-focused character.
Touring design by Paul Bracq
The 02 Series Touring body was designed by Paul Bracq at BMW. Compared with the saloon, it featured a steeper windscreen and a rear section shortened by around 12 centimetres. The large tailgate and folding rear seat backrest made the car considerably more practical in everyday use. In the early 1970s, this combination of a sporting car and hatchback body was still unusual, making the BMW Touring concept notably forward-looking.
1.6-litre four-cylinder engine
The BMW 1600 Touring used a 1,573 cm³ four-cylinder in-line engine producing 85 hp at 5,700 rpm. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Top speed was 160 km/h, matching the performance of the 02 Series saloon with the same engine.
Typical 02 Series handling
The Touring retained the fundamental chassis layout of the 02 Series, with MacPherson-type front suspension and independent rear suspension. Rear-wheel drive, compact dimensions and relatively low weight gave even the basic model the balanced and responsive handling associated with BMW. The more practical body therefore did not turn the Touring into a conventional family car at the expense of its sporting character.
From 1600 Touring to 1602 Touring
The model was initially known as the BMW 1600 Touring. Following changes to BMW’s 02 Series naming system, the same basic version later carried the name BMW 1602 Touring. BMW Group Archive therefore lists the model line as BMW 1600 Touring / 1602 Touring.
Only 4,379 cars
The BMW 1600 Touring was produced from April 1971 until April 1973, with only 4,379 cars built. The Touring body style did not achieve the commercial success BMW had hoped for at the time, but its combination of practicality and sporting character appears remarkably modern today and can be seen as an early precursor to later sporting BMW hatchback concepts.
Model in the collection
The BMW 1600 Touring (E6) in my collection was produced by Minichamps. It is an official BMW dealer model.
Technical data in brief
Production period: April 1971 – April 1973
Production location: BMW Plant Munich, Germany
Body style: three-door Touring
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder in-line
Displacement: 1,573 cm³
Power: 85 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
Top speed: 160 km/h
Price when new: 10,656 Deutsche Mark
Production: 4,379 cars
Special feature: early 02 Series Touring combining sporting character with a practical hatchback body
Photo of the real car. Photo: Sten-Patrick Kreek