Just before the grand opening of the largest motor show of the year that takes place in Frankfurt from September 13 to 25, AC Schnitzer released details on its comprehensive tuning package for the smallest member of the BMW M family.
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For starters, AC Schnitzer has upped the performance on the 2.0-liter diesel-powered xDrive20d from 184-horses to 218HP, while the company is also working on a kit for the xDrive30d as well as the 6-cylinder 2.8i and 3.5i petrol models, which will be released later this year.
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AC Schnitzer says the Eagle beat several thoroughbred sports cars such as the Ferrari California (1:13,5 minutes) and the Porsche 911 Turbo (1:14,6 minutes), and was left behind only by specially tuned or hardcore models like the KTM X-Bow and the BMW M3 Kompressor.
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Developed as an eco-friendly sports car that adapts to AC Schnitzer's new motto "Efficient Performance", the 99d gets its name from its CO2 emission levels and the diesel powerplant housed under its hood.
The German firm's engineers started with the 2.0-liter four-pot found on the 520d, raising output to 218 hp, and continued with the more noble 525d, which has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. In this case peak output was boosted to 245 hp, same as the stock 530d. After AC Schnitzer's tune, the latter is now rated at 286 hp, while the range-topping 535d churns out an impressive 360 hp.
The aero bodywork includes a front spoiler, roof spoiler, bonnet air-vents, rear wing, rear diffuser and design elements for the front skirt and chromed front grille. There's also a new carbon piece for the bonnet with a Plexiglas window through which the engine is visible.
We're pretty sure that it won't be long before AC Schnitzer launches a full tuning program for the new 5er with styling parts and mechanical upgrades, but until then, skip the jump to check out the photo gallery.
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The main event of the German company's tune are the new upgrades for the X1's diesel powerplants. With these kits, output of the xDrive23d's 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged unit raises from 204HP to 240HP; the "s" and xDrive20d's 2.0-liter turbo from 177HP to 210HP and the "s" and xDrive18d's 2.0-liter turbo from 143HP to 171HP.
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The tuner did not release technical details on the specific model, but we assume that it features the standard 310HP upgrade to the twin-turbocharged straight-six diesel engine.
Together with the record breaking ACS3 3.5d Coupe, AC Schnitzer also tested the ACS4 3.5 turbo, which is based on the BMW Z4 sDrive 35i, at Nardo. The 360HP hardtop roadster achieved a top speed of 303.1 km/h or about 188 mph, which may not have set a world record, but it's impressive nevertheless.
Since 2005, the Association of German Car Tuners (VDAT) in cooperation with the German Police and the country's Federal Ministry for Transport have created the "Tune It! Safe" program to encourage drivers to adopt safe and legal tuning practices. As part of the promotion, the past four years 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 Coupe that has been extensively modified by AC Schnitzer.The BMW tuning specialist bumped the twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine's output to 241HP and 480Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. With power being sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, the AC Schnitzer-prepped 123d Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds.
Other hardware modifications include a sport suspension that drops the ride height by 30mm, new alloy wheels wrapped in Hankook tires and a sport 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 coupe'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.
