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->ke312, 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->ke3308 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.

Press Release after the jump.

2010 MINI E Polizei by AC Schnitzer

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 MINI E Polizei by AC Schnitzer
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press Release

The TUNE IT! SAFE! initiative by the Verband Deutscher Automobil Tuner e.V. (VDAT) impressively shows the future of tuning with its sixth campaign vehicle - an electric MINI in Police Look. Every year since 2004, a special concept car has been presented which meets both the high demands of tuning fans and maximum safety standards.

The campaign, supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, shows that the yearning for individualisation can continue to be met in the future.

AC Schnitzer, more than almost any other tuning specialist for the MINI brand, stands for individuality and safety. Consequently, the Aachen-based company has largely taken responsibility for the MINI and provided a uniquely spectacular campaign vehicle. The MINI E in Police Look was presented for the first time at the Essen Motor Show 2010 and has since appeared as a symbolic vehicle at numerous shows and tuning events.

The BMW Group is the first manufacturer to apply the latest state of lithium ion technology in a totally electric powered vehicle. So the MINI E lives up to its name - "minimalism" - in terms of drive technology too, thanks to a totally emission-free vehicle. New drive systems have been equipped with complex elements, so the use of safe and reliable products is particularly important here. But there's no lack of sporting performance either, thanks to the tuning package from AC Schnitzer. The racing suspension takes the MINI perfectly through corners, and the front andrear skirts and bonnet vents both optimise road holding and enhance the styling of the concept car.

The "Police Look" is provided by the latest signalling system from Hella on the roof, and the blue paintwork by AC Schnitzer in conjunction with special stickering from Foliatec.

The Hankook tyres have been given an extra touch by the specialists at AC Schnitzer: in combination with the AC Schnitzer alloy wheels "MI 2" (7.5J x 18"), they transfer the 204 electric HP of the MINI safely to the road.

To enjoy unrestricted driving comfort while being prepared for every situation: this ambition is achieved by the high performance brake system from AC Schnitzer with 4-pot fixed calipers onthe front axle. The slotted, internally vented brake discs respond promptly and with precision. At the same time, the high performance brake system is characterised by excellent deceleration values after sustained use, in extreme heat and in the pouring rain. The generously dimensioned discs at 328 x 28 millimetres energetically scrub off the speed with a stable pressure point even after the twentieth downhill hairpin.

AC Schnitzer also shows that safe driving can be combined with individual styling in its design of the interior equipment. The interior is decorated with a pedal set, foot rest and handbrake handle of aluminium. Here, as in all other areas, extracts from AC Schnitzer's wide product range are demonstrated. All the AC Schnitzer accessories are available immediately with TÜV certification,even though the MINI E is not yet available commercially but is well on the way to series production. This almost goes without saying for specialists who have long since made the safe future of tuning their corporate objective.