The 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines found in the BMW 640i and 640d Gran Coupe may not be considered the pinnacle of performance when slotted under the new BMW’s 1 900 kg body, but that hasn’t stopped renowned tuner AC Schnitzer from trying to improve the package.

In standard form the 640i produces 235 kW and 450 Nm, while the 640d produces 230 kW and 630 Nm of torque. The most notable difference between the two engines is the improved torque and economy of the 640d, as it consumes just 5.8 L/100km versus the 9.1 L/100km of its petrol sibling.

In the world of AC Schnitzer, after a bit of engine remapping and the fitment of a sports exhaust, the 640i and 640d will now both produce 265 kW, but interestingly there is no mention of torque increases. The AC Schnitzer goodie bag also includes a performance braking system with 8-piston callipers and a sports suspension with a lowering spring kit.

The exterior styling kit on offer comprises of: a front spoiler; chromed front grilles; a rear bumper apron; chromed ‘sports’ exhaust tips; and wheels as big as 21-inch, available in a few different designs. If you go for the full size 21-inch alloys, they wear a pair of 255/30-profile tyres on the front and 295/25-profile tyres on the rear.

On the inside an AC Schnitzer steering wheel replaces the standard item and aluminium is generously drizzled across the dash, peddles and iDrive controller. The AC Schnitzer Gran Coupe sounds and looks fantastic, but the tuner hasn’t released any fuel economy figures as yet.

Yes, we realise that last point is probably quite irrelevant, which is why we’re admittedly excited about the arrival of the ‘full fat’, 331 kW, V8-powered BMW 650i Gran Coupe that should be with us before the year is out. A bonkers 414 kW M6 version hasn’t been denied by BMW either – bring it on.

Renowned BMW aftermarket specialist AC Schnitzer has revealed a new tuning kit for the 2012 BMW 1 Series. The company offers power upgrades for the 118d and 120d diesel models, as well as a range of exterior revisions.

Starting with the polarising body styling of the new BMW 1 Series, AC Schnitzer has come up with a subtle bodykit which merely expands upon the natural design. There’s a new lower lip spoiler at the front, AC Schnitzer side skirts, and a hatch-mounted spoiler at the back.

To make the 1 Series instantly recognisable as an AC Schnitzer special, the company applies a contrasting pin-stripe down one side with matching two-tone side mirrors. The exterior is then topped off with trademark AC Schnitzer 18- or 19-inch chrome and black alloy wheels.

Engine-wise, AC Schnitzer offers power upgrades for both models. The 118d gets a re-calibrated engine computer and a higher flowing exhaust system which takes its power output from 105 kW to a punchy 126 kW. With similar modifications, the 120d’s power is up from 135 kW to 155 kW.

Other bespoke revisions include an AC Schnitzer steering wheel, floor mats, aluminium pedals and gear lever. AC Schnitzer will have this tuning pack and another for the new BMW 6 Series on display at the upcoming aftermarket-focused 2011 Essen Motor Show this weekend.

The BMW 6 Series kit is for the 650i variant, taking power levels of the factory 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from 300 kW to an M5-hunting 403 kW.

via CarAdvice

This electric MINI E has been given a complete makeover by BMW’s approved tuner AC Schnitzer. The car has been tweaked as part of the Essen motor show’s ‘Tune It Safe’ campaign which attempts to highlight the safety implications of modifying cars.

The electric drivetrain remains untouched, so the police MINI gets the same 150 kW, 220 Nm electric motor which allows the car to sprint from 0 – 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and hit 152 km/h.

However, the boys in blue do benefit from the full German police livery, including the latest Hella roof light bar, while the tuner has also added new 18-inch alloys and a bodykit to enhance the looks. Upgraded brakes and suspension ensure that the MINI’s go-kart handling is even sharper, ensuring that even the handiest criminal wheelman won’t get away.

The MINI E police car is strictly a one-off, but the tuning parts, blue flashing lights aside, are all taken from AC Schnitzer’s current product catalogue.

Adapted from AutoExpress

AC Schnitzer has taken the BMW X6 M to another level with their latest performance and styling package.

While the performance upgrades and final figures are being finalised – which include a sports exhaust, removal of the electronic speed limiter and new odometer marked to 360 km/h – the Aachen-based tuning firm has released images and details of their latest styling package for the X6 M.

The BMW tuning specialist has given the X6 M a styling make-over, consisting of a new front spoiler; rear roof spoiler; rear wing; rear diffuser as well as adding various design elements to the front skirt as well as the addition of a chromed front grille. As if the BMW X6 M wasn’t menacing enough, carbon bonnet vents are also an option, but the pièce de résistance is the plexiglas panoramic window, through which the engine is permanently visible.

Measuring 1.98 metres wide as standard, AC Schnitzer has added wheel arch extensions to give the SAV an extra 40 mm of width on each side. This allows the X6 M to wear a number of AC Schnitzer forged alloy wheels, ranging in size from 20- to 23-inches. X6 M Schnitzer owners can choose to put the power on the road through a choice of 275, 315, 295 or massive 335 section tyres.

The already sporty interior of the BMW X6 M has been further refined. AC Schnitzer have added a speedo and rev counter with AC Schnitzer logo, white dials, red pointers and red lighting. The carbon interior trim and the AC Schnitzer steering wheel spokes feature a new “Black Exclusiv” design, while the AC Schnitzer aluminium cover for the i-Drive system controller, aluminium footrest and pedal set, as well as a set of velour foot mats, round off the interior package.

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AC Schnitzer unveiled their tuning program for the BMW 5-Series GT at the Geneva Motor Show last week.

In an effort to make the ‘wagden’ (half wagon, half sedan) look more appealing, Schnitzer added front and rear spoilers, a ventilated hood, aggressive side skirts, a redesigned rear fascia, chrome exhaust tips, and new wheels (available in a number of different styles, sized from 19- to 22-inches). Inside, the company installed aluminum pedals, velour floormats, and a new cover for the i-Drive controller.

On the performance side, the engine in the 530d has been tuned to produce 213 kW – an increase of 31 kW. Schnitzer also added a twin rear silencer and a specially tuned sports suspension.

Press Release (Click to expand)

Adapted from WorldCarFans

The Geneva Motor Show is a popular one on the automotive calendar, so much so that even famed German tuners are in attendance with their latest creations. This year, BMW tuning specialist, AC Schnitzer, will be exhibiting an extensive range of modifications for the new BMW X1. The modifications are not purely cosmetic and AC Schnitzer is also offering various power upgrades for the X1 range.

To begin with the BMW X1 xDrive23d has been upgraded from 150 kW to 176 kW. The turbocharged 2.0d and 1.8d diesel engines also feature Common Rail injection, and with the AC Schnitzer tuning package they produce 154 kW and 125 kW respectively. AC Schnitzer says that performance upgrades are available for both the sDrive and xDrive versions, however, the company didn’t provide any numbers.

In the styling department, AC Schnitzer offers numerous enhancements to add some aggression to the X1′s demeanour – the bonnet scoops might be a bit unnecessary though.

Press Release (Click to expand)

AC Schnitzer have announced that their BMW 335d coupe is officially the world fastest street legal diesel powered car. The new world record was set by the AC Schnitzer BMW 335d on the Nardo race track in Italy at 288.7 km/h – 8.7 km/h faster that the previous record set in 2006.
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Apart from the AC Schnitzer BMW 335d record, the tuner also managed a 303.1 km/h top speed with their BMW Z4 SDrive 35i.

The Nardo ‘High Performance Event’ was hosted by Continental AG and German magazine, Auto Bild Sportscars and featured entries from top tuning houses such as ABT, 9ff and Brabus.

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.

Adapted from CarScoop

Do you think that BMW’s latest M3 is a bit too subtle? Well not to worry because AC Schnitzer may have an answer for you.

AC Schnitzer’s ASC3 Sport models start with BMW’s 309kW 4.0-litre V8, adding a short-throw sport shifter and a stainless-steel exhaust system with quad pipes.

The Schnitzer racing suspension features stiffer springs and is height-adjustable. Performance wheel/tire combinations are available in 19 and 20-inch sizes.

Aerodynamic add-ons include a front skirt and spoiler, bonnet vents on either side of the power dome, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear wing and roof spoiler.

The cabin boasts aluminum pedals, gearshift and handbrake levers and iDrive control knob, as well as carbon-fibre trim and an AC Schnitzer gauge set.

The acclaimed tuning house has yet to get to work on the award winning 309kW V8 engine, but expect announcements in this area some time in the future.

First posted on 12 August 2008.