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 tuners on the planet - still hadn’t come out with anything for the baby M. 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.
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If there was something the Frankfurt Motor Show missed, it definitely was not tuning packages. TechArt, Hamann, Brabus, and Alpina, among others, all came out to play. AC Schnitzer was also there with not one, but two impressive packages: the 1-Series M Coupe and the second kit based on the BMW 6-Series Convertible.
For the 6-Series Convertible, the tuner is offering a performance upgrade that will increase the V8’s engine output from 407 to a whopping 540 HP. With the extra 133 HP, the BMW will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, a 0.5 second improvement from the standard 4.9 seconds.
This power increase has been combined with a twin sports rear silencer with chromed "Sport Trim" tailpipe trims, an 8-pot high performance brake system for the front, and an AC Schnitzer suspension spring kit.
For the exterior, the tuner is offering a new front spoiler, a chromed front grille and chrome decor strips, a rear skirt insert, and loading lip protection film. Then there’s the new set of 21" Type VIII forged alloy wheel in BiColor to round out the look from the outside. The interior gets covered in a matte space grey, and benefits from a sports airbag steering wheel, an AC Schnitzer "Black Line" aluminum cover for the i-Drive system controller, and AC Schnitzer aluminum foot rests and pedals.
BMW’s new X3 has been on sale since the Fall 2010 and, surprisingly, not many tuning firms have paid much attention to the SUV. BMW is typically a brand that sits right at the top of the list for many tuners, so owners of the X3 are probably scratching their heads wondering when it will be their turn to get in on the tuning action. Have no fear, AC Schnitzer is finally here and have brought along a package for the SUV that will prove that the wait was worthwhile.
The German tuning firm’s first bout with the X3 shows a striking front spoiler, a new rear roof spoiler, AC Schnitzer protective film for the rear skirt, and a new set of 22" wheels offered in either BiColor or silver. The interior also gets jazzed up a bit with a new sports steering wheel, aluminum gear knobs in anodized silver/chrome or "Black Line"/chrome, a digital gear display option, and the "Black Line" aluminum cover for the BMW-specific i-Drive system controller.
As for the engine, the full line is still being worked on, but the X3 xDrive20d benefits from an increased power output that takes it from 184 HP to 218 HP. The engines for the 2.8i and 3.5i models are currently under development.
The mad car tuning scientists over at AC Schnitzer in Germany have apparently been working on a secret project based on the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works that transforms the cute little car into the fastest Mini JCW ever. Apparently, in the company’s latest testing, the racing Frankenstein pulled off a sensational lap time of 1:13.341 min. around the Hockenheim Circuit. Okay, so it still can’t beat the KTM X-Bow, the BMW M3 Kompressor, the Mercedes AMG, or the Caterham models, but the power boost was enough to bump it into the next class and leave its class rivals behind.
The AC Schnitzer Eagle, or "little rocket," is able to up its performance from a standard 211 HP to 260 HP with the use of a new turbocharger and intercooler, a new sports clutch, a limited slip differential, a lightweight ion battery, and AC Schnitzer’s Motronic program. Then a stainless steel exhaust system with racing catalyst, a new racing suspension, and a ’Short Shift’ transmission were thrown in to round off the technical specifications. The power modifications allow the Mini Cooper JCW to sprint from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds (down from 6.5) with a top speed of 155mph (up from 148mph).
Aesthetically speaking, the Mini Cooper JCW had to be made meaner with the use of anti-roll bars, a carbon fiber body kit, a carbon bonnet, carbon wings and doors, and a new set of 18" wheels.
AC Schnitzer has valued to Eagle at EUR62,000, or about $88,600 at the current rates, but don’t whip out those wallets just yet; this car isn’t for sale.
AC Schnitzer has already showed up to the Geneva Motor Show with the Z4 99d, but that’s not the only model the German tuning firm is showcasing. Alongside the Z4 99d, AC Schnitzer will also be displaying the ACS5 Sport S, a model based on the BMW 550i. Looking at their creation, no one would be all that impressed; there aren’t many changes done to the exterior leading people to believe it was just another minor and unimpressive upgrade for yet another BMW model. Then there are those other people that would expect a fantastically upgraded engine to counteract the anticlimactic exterior. The second group of people would be correct in their assumptions.
The ACS5 Sport S takes the standard 4.4L V8 engine found in the BMW 550i and has toyed with it enough to bump the standard 400hp to a phenomenal 540 hp and 750 Nm of torque. With the extra 140 HP, the ACS5 Sport S will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 200mph. Flying through the corners will also be made easy with an added limited slip differential.
Hit the jump to read more about the AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S.
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