CAR News

AC Schnitzer ACS3 3.5d Coupe is the world fastest road-legal diesel car. Built by the renowned BMW tuner from Aachen – AC Schnitzer, the ACS3 3.5d Coupe broke the world record from 2006 by reaching the astonishing 288.7 km/h at the legendary high-speed circuit in Nardo, southern Italy.

This is the third world record set by AC Schnitzer at Nardo. After the records from 2006 with the TENSION as the fastest road-legal BMW and the GP3.10 GAS POWERED from 2007 for gas-powered vehicles, the ACS3 3.5d Coupe has continued the success story.

Based on BMW 335d, the ACS3 3.5d Coupe benefits from an extensive AC Schnitzer programme specially developed for all vehicles based on the 3.5d BMW engine.

The fifth concept car of the “TUNE IT! SAFE!” VDAT initiative has been designed mainly by BMW tuning specialist AC Schnitzer

“Only serious, safe tuning will bring the hoped-for driving pleasure!“ Under this motto, the Association of German Car Tuners (VDAT) every year launches a special concept car. In 2010, BMW AG is providing a BMW 123d Coupe for the Association’s “TUNE IT! SAFE!“ initiative, which is also supported by the Police and the Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Road Development. Most of the vehicle accessory equipment has been supplied by Aachen-based BMW tuning specialist AC Schnitzer.

As in the last four years, a police vehicle has been professional converted as part of the promotion. The AC Schnitzer “ACS1 2.3d“, based on the BMW 123d Coupe, shows that safe tuning is far from boring. VDAT-member AC Schnitzer has upgraded the 2.3 D engine to 241 HP (177 kW) and 480 Nm. The police car with 6-speed automatic transmission now accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, so would acquit itself well even in the fastest pursuit. The latest AC Schnitzer wheels Type IV BiColor are fitted with tires from TUNE IT! SAFE! main sponsor Hankook. The low, safe road position is achieved with the sports suspension from the Aachenbased specialist with 30 mm lowering. The bodystyling kit consists of two-piece front spoiler, rear skirt insert, rear wing and rear roof spoiler. Good visibility is ensured by the “LEDayFlex“ modern daytime running lights from Hella, and optimum rearward vision by the AC Schnitzer “New Generation” sports mirrors.

In the interior, the guardians of the law could enjoy leather racing bucket seats with AC Schnitzer logo and silver genuine carbon fiber trim on the dashboard, center console, door handles and steering wheel, which are perfectly complemented by the aluminum pedals and aluminum foot rests. A further highlight is the G-force indicator, which measures and displays the centrifugal forces inside the car.

The concept car impressively demonstrates large parts of the tuning accessory range from AC Schnitzer. To give the BMW the essential, authentic look of a “real” police car, Foliatec supplied the original stickering and Hella the flashing lights. Even the police could – and would like to – drive the converted vehicle in public road traffic. To their regret however, the concept car will not be brought into use and is not available in this complex form. Nonetheless, it makes an important contribution towards achieving the aim of the initiative: to combat illegal, unsafe tuning and counterfeiting. All AC Schnitzer conversions are however available commercially and are of course TÜV-approved.

The AC Schnitzer “ACS1 2.3d Coupe“ will be on display for the first time at the Essen Motor Show on VDAT Stand No. 406 in Hall 10 from 28 November to 6 December 2009. “Serious and safe tuning is not only a company philosophy, but it is also our mission“, emphasises Rainer Vogel, Managing Director of AC Schnitzer. And you can take this literally: Safe tuning with components from a reputable manufacturer not only brings the desired driving pleasure, but can even be lifesaving.

AC Schnitzer BMW M3 Brake System 2009

Enjoy unrestricted driving comfort and be prepared for every situation: you can achieve both with the AC Schnitzer high performance brake system for the BMW M3 (E90, E92, E93). The high quality brake system offers excellent performance and values which are usually only achieved by sports cars. In conjunction with the height-adjustable racing suspension (adjustable in compression and rebound) tested on the North Loop of the Nürburgring, the BMW M3 makes the heart of every sports car driver beat that bit faster.

“The neutrality well known from the M3 takes on a new dimension in AC Schnitzer trim”, was the verdict of the specialist magazine “sport auto” when testing the ACS3 Sport Coupé. The new brake system uses fixed calipers with 6 pistons on the front and 4 on the rear. The slotted brake discs, vented internally on both front and rear, respond quickly and precisely.

Particular attention has been paid to keeping the weight to a minimum in order to promote agility. Despite the substantially larger dimensions, the unsprung weight has been reduced by a valuable 4 kg in relation to the standard brake system.

At the same time, the AC Schnitzer high performance brake kit is renowned for its excellent deceleration values even on sustained use, in extreme heat and in pouring rain. The generously sized brake discs measuring 380 x 35 millimetres at the front and 355 x 32 millimetres at the back bleed off the speed energetically and with stable pressure even after the twentieth time.

The new AC Schnitzer high performance brake system is available for all three variants of the current BMW M3 both as a complete system for front and rear, or “just” for the front.

“Totally suitable for the track, and for a long time” was the verdict of “sport auto” after testing the high performance brake system. A verdict to endorse fitting, and not only for sporting driving styles.

*Values from “sport auto” test 11/2008

**Values from “sport auto” test 12/2007

F01 / F02 are the internal works codes for the new 7-series. The combination sounds like motorsports, but is this title adequate for a big luxury saloon? Anyone who’s seen the big BMW in AC Schnitzer trim will certainly answer this with an unambiguous “Yes”.

“The new model is certainly the most dynamic 7-series ever, so we’ve only made subtle changes to the outline”, explains AC Schnitzer Chief Designer Michele Viandante. His philosophy: “Our accessories set important accents and emphasise the sporting characteristics of the saloon in a targeted manner.” These are already written large in the imposing front, which is emphasised by a new AC Schnitzer spoiler element. Michele Viandante’s tip: The through lip elongates the front and gives the car a faster look.

Like all accessories from AC Schnitzer, it is made of very hardwearing, well-fitting PU RIM. Subtle but striking also describes the effects of the side enhancements: “The result must be a harmonious ensemble, and not a combination of trainers and tuxedo”, says Viandante. The AC Schnitzer side skirts attachments emphasise the car’s wheelbase and lengthen it visually, giving it a more purposeful appearance. Towards the rear third, they are lifted and widened to give the car a more muscular look.

This is no bluff, because the new 7-series has plenty of power under the bonnet in every version, even when the music’s playing at the back. The sight of AC Schnitzer tailpipes is as striking as the sound: two exhaust channels come together in a slightly rounded, chromed trapezoid trim – all very individual. But that’s not enough for sporting attributes. Between the exhausts, Michele Viandante has introduced a further spoiler element which with its diffuser style symbolises pure dynamics. Only the subtle boot spoiler and rear roof spoiler remain to complete the look.

AC Schnitzer knows how to enhance a saloon’s sporting aura without losing its elegance. Then the final touch is down to customer taste:

There’s a choice of countless exciting AC Schnitzer wheels for the new 7-series. Two particularly striking examples: the Type V alloy with its clear, transparent five-spoke design, which celebrates its world premiere in 22″ on the 7-series and is also available for X5 and X6. Or the multispoke Type VII, also available in 22″. Both versions not only show true greatness, but constitute the perfectly balanced combination of performance and elegance. A characteristic which is symbolic of the entire car.