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.
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.
The Geneva Motor Show is ready to crack itself open in just a few hours, but AC Schnitzer has decided to release some details on its line-up for Switzerland a little early.
The first package from the German tuner is called the Z4 99d and uses a diesel engine that delivers 190 HP and 420 NM of torque. With this amount of power, plus a weight reduction of 230 kilos (507 lbs.), the tuner has managed to obtain a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of just 6.9 seconds, while top speed is 146 mph. This performance is accompanied by a fuel consumption of 3.8 liter diesel per 100 kilometers and a CO2 emission of just 99.18 g/km.
AC Schnitzer also spent some time on the exterior of the BMW Z4 with an interesting paint job. We don’t know just how we feel about the green, blue, and black swirl paint yet, but it may just fit the BMW nicely.
UPDATE 02/28/2011: This review has been updated with the BMW Z4 99d’s full specs, as well as new images.
AC Schnitzer knows their way around a number of models in the BMW and Mini line-up, but when it comes to the new Mini Countryman, things are a bit different. The new Mini comes packing a much different body than that of the Cooper, leaving tuning firms with uncharted territory. AC Schnitzer is one of the first tuning firms to tackle this new ground, and with their colorful Mini background, the result should be nothing short of spectacular.
What we got, however, is some minor exterior and interior updates that barely change the look of the car at all. The exterior gets a new set of 18" wheels as standard or 19" wheels available upon request. The interior receives an aluminum pedal set and various gear knobs in leather or aluminum with a digital gear display. Yeah, that’s it.
AC Schnitzer did say that this was only phase one of the package, but we expected a little more out of them. Hopefully, the bulk of it will come in the engine updates in the works. The Countryman is currently powered by 122hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines, with the S model getting turbocharged to 184hp. AC Schnitzer has promised that these engines will get a power boost. Let’s just hope we are pleasantly surprised because, as the first tuning kit for the Countryman, this package kind of blows.
The police are definitely making their presence felt at the 2010 Essen Motor Show, although it’s not for reasons you might think.
A while ago, we showed you an Essen-bound Fiat 500 that was dressed in Italian police livery by tuning house Blistein. Turns out, the 500 wasn’t the only law enforcement vehicle expected to show up at Europe’s largest aftermarket auto tuning event.
German tuning house, AC Schnitzer, was also in attendance at Essen and they’ve brought with them the German counterpart to the 500 Polizia by Bilstein.
The Aachen-based aftermarket specialists developed their own version of the Mini E Polizei car as part of their ’Tune It! Safe!’ campaign, which is a part of bigger safety campaign sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.
Among the notable modifications AC Schnitzer gave the Mini E includes a new racing suspension system that complements the car’s 204 electric 204 horsepower. There’s also a newly-designed bonnet, new front and rear skirts, and a set of 18" alloy wheels on Hankook tires. Keeping to the theme of a police vehicle, AC Schnitzer also gave it a blue paint finish with unique stickers courtesy of Foliatec. AC Schnitzer also added a Hella signaling system, as well as an interior that has been decorated with a pedal set, a foot rest, and handbrake handle made of aluminum.
This German Police MINI E has indeed been dressed up in full ’Polizei’ regalia to show that while MINI may be a brand that’s as eccentric as any automaker in the world, it’s still capable of tapping into it’s serious, law-enforcing side.
AC Schintzer is a name that is usually associated with tuned up BMWs, but they seem to be joining the accessory circus with their third installment of the Chronograph, a watch signed by the famous tuner. The new Chronograph 3 will be built as a limited edition and is ideal as an exclusive gift.
This timepiece is strapped around the user’s wrist by an ultrasoft black leather strap with white quilting seams. The body of the watch is made of brushed aluminum with a screwed on base that makes it water resistant up to 100 meters. The outer ring of the watch has a tachometer that includes four "extra instruments" for counting seconds, minutes, and hours.
The feature of the timepiece that is the most attractive is the indices made of superluminova. With this material, the watch’s appliques and roman numerals can be seen no matter what time it is.
As is the norm with AC Schnitzer, better performance and aesthetics are developed with the highest quality and precision for any BMW. The new F11 5 Series Touring is no exception, and today we introduce to you the latest offerings from Aachen, Germany scheduled to be unleashed at the Essen Motorshow. The 5 Touring is built and designed for practicality and ease of use. Now, thanks to AC Schnitzer, practicality has a pretty face and the show to match the go.
In their usual fashion, the German tuners have developed a tasty list of aftermarket options for the otherwise mundane 5 station wagon. Packages are currently only available for the 5 series diesel derivatives – petrol upgrades are currently being developed. At the center of the new options are the AC Schnitzer performance upgrades that include a stainless exhaust, modified ECU, and stiffer lowering springs. After the conversion, the BMW 530d develops an impressive 286 HP and the uprated 535d now produces an impressive 360 HP, whilst the 520d and 525d develop a powerful 218 HP and 245 HP respectively.
Full story and press release after the jump. Full story
