BAVARIAN ECONS 2002te

THIS ELECTRIC BMW RESTOMOD LOSES ITS ENGINE BUT NOT ITS SOUL

- WILLIAM WALKER

 We’ve published numerous stories in the past several years about changing a beloved classic to electric propulsion, and it’s often followed by discourse over the intangibles. Will the car retain its original spirit? Will it still sound good? Will it still be fun? If the car in question is a BMW 2002 done up to become an all-electric Bavarian ECONS 2002te restomod, then lifelong fans like me need not worry.

Brothers Edgar and Nicolas Navarro are passionate about BMW 2002s. They founded their company, Bavarian ECONS (a portmanteau of “electric” and “icons”), in 2020 as a way of future-proofing people’s ability to continue enjoying these great cars, and the 2002te is their first creation.

Bavarian ECONS fitted the car with a 180-hp electric drive unit that originally turned a Tesla Model S’ front wheels. Powering the motor is a 33-kWh battery pack built out of BMW i3 battery cells and capable of fastcharging speeds of up to 50 kW through its CCS plug, which is hidden behind a custom fuel door. Under the hood, a bespoke OEM-looking cover hides part of that battery pack; it’s molded to align with the body stampings, and it features a BMW roundel badge.

The company didn’t stop after electrifying the drivetrain. The 2002te rides on a phenomenally good KW Classic V3 coil-over suspension, tuned specifically for this car, as well as refreshed brakes and Powerflex polyurethane suspension bushings. The te’s suspension provides a mix of comfort and sportiness, nearly perfect for a street car.