With all the tuning programs being added to the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, it seemed a little odd that AC Schnitzer - one of the best BMW->ke178 tuners on the planet - still hadn't come out with anything for the baby M->ke546. Turns out, they were just waiting for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to introduce their first project for the 1-Series M Coupe.

Well, Frankfurt has come and we finally have an idea on the aftermarket work AC Schnitzer did on the 1-Series M Coupe. Their new package has a mix of just about everything you can look for in a tuning program. Aerodynamic additions offer plenty of stylized improvements while performance and handling modifications ratcheted up the car's already impressive powertrain and suspension set-up.

There's a lot to love about AC Schnitzer's first take on the 1-Series M Coupe. Kind of makes us think long and hard on if it's going to be worth our hard-earned money.

More on the BMW 1-Series M Coupe by AC Schnitzer after the jump.

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe by AC Schnitzer

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe by AC Schnitzer
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6 engine
  • Horsepower: 394
  • Torque: 413
  • Transmission: six-speed manual transmission
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

Visually speaking, the package offers aerodynamic upgrades that include a new front lip, a new rear diffuser, a roof spoiler, a chromed front grille, and a new set of light alloy wheels that can be had in a variety of sizes and designs.

Inside the car, AC Schnitzer added a "Valencia Orange" trim to go with plenty of new details, including a leather gear shift cover, an illuminated leather gear knob with a digital display, an aluminum "Black Line" gear knob, an aluminum handbrake handle, an alloy pedal set, foot rest, and velour floor mats.

Performance

At first, it was reported that the AC Schnitzer-tuned 1-Series M Coupe didn't come with any performance improvements. Turns out, that wasn't the case. Thanks to a remapped ECU unit, as well as a race-tuned suspension and more powerful brakes, the 1-Series M Coupe is now capable of producing 394 horsepower and 413 lb/ft of torque, a significant increase from the standard model's 340-horsepower and 332 lb/ft of torque. The result of the engine modification is a car that can now hit 0-62 mh in 4.7 seconds - two-tenths faster than the regular 1-Series M Coupe - with a new top speed of 186 mph.

Brakes and Suspension

To improve the suspension and brakes, AC Schnitzer developed a new suspension kit that allowed the car's overall ride height to be lowered by either 10 or 20 mm. As for the brakes, the German tuner installed a new high-performance and lightweight brake system that features internally vented brake discs - 380 x 35mm on the front and 355 x 32mm on the rear - to go with six-piston fixed calipers at the front and four-piston fixed calipers at the back.

Pricing

Pricing for the BMW 1-Series M Coupe by AC Schnitzer has yet to be announced, but expect it to be significantly higher than the $47,000 sticker attached to the standard 1-Series M Coupe.

Competition

Over the past few months, aftermarket tuning companies have rolled out their own programs for the popular baby M coupe. Each come with their own distinctions separate from the rest, including impressive works done by Kelleners Sport, Manhart Racing, and APP Europe, to name a few.

However, if you prefer a tuning company that knows more about BMW vehicles than just about anybody else on the planet, nobody does it better than AC Schnitzer.