In 2005, the Association of German Car Tuners (VDAT) in cooperation with the German Police and the country’s Federal Ministry for Transport created the ‘Tune It! Safe’ program, which encourages drivers to adopt safe and legal tuning practices. As part of the promotion, each year a vehicle is converted into a police car and is exhibited at the annual Essen Motor Show in Germany (Nov. 28 – Dec. 06). For this year’s show, VDAT chose a BMW 123d Coupé that has been extensively modified by AC Schnitzer.
The BMW tuning specialist bumped the twin-turbocharged 2,0-litre turbo diesel engine’s output to 177 kW and 480 N.m of torque. With power being sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, the AC Schnitzer-prepped 123d Coupé accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
Other hardware modifications include a sport suspension that drops the ride height by 30 mm, new alloy wheels wrapped in Hankook tyres and a sports exhaust system.
On the outside, the 123d gets the full police treatment with original stickers and Hella flashing lights, while AC Schnitzer also added an aero kit that comprises of a two-piece front spoiler, rear skirt insert, rear wing and rear roof spoiler.
The coupé’s interior has been upgraded with leather bucket seats, genuine carbon fibre trim on the dashboard, centre console, door handles and steering wheel, complemented by the aluminium pedals and foot rests.
It still doesn’t come close to the supercars the police use in Abu Dhabi or Italy though.
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