Click the image above for a high-res gallery.
Like everything else from the propeller people, AC Schnitzer gets a stab at improving BMW's products before they're even released to the masses. The formula is the same for the new 135i, boosting power output of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six to 360 HP and 332 lb.-ft. of torque, while simultaneously dropping the 0-60 time to under five seconds and increasing the top speed to 186 mph. The additional power is found with the installation of a new exhaust and some clever ECU tweaks, while the suspension has been replaced with the firm's sports setup that was tuned on the Nurburgring's North Loop by touring car hot shoe Manfred Wollgarten.
The body kit, comprised of a new front spoiler, side skirts, rear wing and roof mounted spoiler, supposedly do wonders for high velocity hoonage, while a set of 19x18.5-inch Type IV "BiColor" wheels wrapped in 225/35R19 rubber keep things planted at speed. Naturally, the interior benefits from a few choice pieces of trim in either aluminum or carbon fiber.
All the details are in the press release after the jump and you can check the gallery below for a handful of high-res images.
PRESS RELEASE
The AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i
Not only in proportions is the new 1-series Coupé a worthy successor to the BMW 2002, but also technically: As in the 70s, the current most powerful standard version is powered by a "charged" engine. Daringly, the overtaking prestige was then enhanced further by the mirror-image Turbo logo on the front spoiler.
In the 1-series Coupé, the possibilities are more refined, not least thanks to AC Schnitzer from Aachen. And naturally the company founded in Aachen in 1987 has made more than its logo available in its refinement package. Particularly impressive is the extensive AC Schnitzer bodykit including front grille, which is far more than mere decoration, but also effectively harmonised into the entire concept.
The front spoiler elements and the rear skirt insert, together with the rear wing and rear roof spoiler, increase downforce and ensure better ground adhesion. For the front spoiler elements, AC Schnitzer supplies optional aluminium struts as used in motorsport - after all, the BMW 2002 was renowned for its track speed at the time. And it is on one particularly legendary circuit, the Nürburgring North Loop, that Manfred Wollgarten, Technical Director at AC Schnitzer, set up the sports suspension for the ACS1 3.5i. As a Touring Car driver, he knows what he's doing. He also sent the Coupé on its way with another strut brace for the front, to further reduce the torsion of a body already very stiff as standard. So at every point on the course, the driver has total control over the vehicle to centimetre precision when he turns the neat AC Schnitzer 3-spoke sports airbag steering wheel. And that's good, because finally the unrestrained power of the biturbo engine is applied on the right track. Especially since AC Schnitzer has not only improved the downforce of the vehicle, but also its thrust.
Its heart now beats at 360 instead of 306 HP (265 instead of 225 kW) and accelerates the fiery 1-series Coupé to 100 km/h in less than five seconds. At the same time, the maximum torque rises from 400 to 450 Nm and the top speed from 250 to an impressive 300 km/h. Values which you can not only see but also hear because the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer with its refined "Racing" tailpipe sounds its baritone
It goes almost without saying that AC Schnitzer also offers a range of sporting alloy wheels for the ACS1 3.5i. The perfect complement with their sleek and refined design are the Type IV "BiColor" rims in size 8.5Jx19" and tyres 225/35R19. The stuff of dreams for drivers of the BMW 2002, just like the countless attractive interior components from AC Schnitzer in the form of controls and decor elements of aluminium and carbon.
REPORT: Racer dies in 24 Hours of LeMons crash
VIDEO: Danica Patrick hits crew member on pit lane at Indy
Nick Hogan sentenced to 8 months in jail
Pontiac El Cami-"NO"
Spy Shots: Baby Cayenne caught on 'Ring!
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap
By the Numbers: April 2008
_thumbnail.jpg "Lamborghini Reventon unboxed in Las Vegas")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Wally @ Nov 29th 2007 3:42PM
Good thing they left that goofy "T" wing off the roof that they had on the Schnitzer 3.
Trent @ Nov 29th 2007 3:47PM
awesome
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 29th 2007 3:59PM
Way too ricey. Especially the rims.
Airhab @ Nov 29th 2007 4:54PM
Agreed they need some BBS RG-R Rims.
timeToy @ Nov 29th 2007 4:00PM
19x18.5-inch wheels, that is seriously wide rubber !
MikeSS @ Nov 29th 2007 4:19PM
I noticed that too and had a chuckle
mooj @ Nov 29th 2007 4:03PM
seriuosly, BMW, what's wrong with straight lines? Huh?
Something as simple as the bowed flank or the weird cut line that runs laterally across the trunk utterly defile it for me.
it's a shame because the rest of the surfacing on this car is fluid and quite expertly done.
the cut lines, damn it!
Micah @ Nov 29th 2007 4:16PM
Save the rear wing, i really like this package. Upgraded suspension, higher output, nice looking wheels and skirts.
...now how much?
Chase @ Nov 29th 2007 4:24PM
ACS needs to get a clue and drop these line of wheels, the Type IVs. They are the worst thing out right now. Put a set of HREs or Fiske's on this car and it will look great, save the chrome grill
ViktorVaughan @ Nov 29th 2007 4:37PM
And did they fix the open rear differential? *yawn* Probably not.
Trent @ Nov 29th 2007 5:36PM
the 135 still has an open diff? yikes. i knew the 5 series did...does the 335?
srivendel @ Nov 29th 2007 6:11PM
Yes. The 335i has an open diff. Only "M" cars get limited slips.
Dan @ Nov 29th 2007 4:40PM
For some reason it looks really stubby to me. The ti concept is much more of a looker.
The power is no surprise. Vishnu got similar numbers the same way with their 335i. Turn up the boost, turn up the fuel. Same trick as works so well on the 2.0 WRX. I wonder what this engine can do if you really try - bigger turbos, etc. A 3.0L six cylinder engine ought to be able to do wonderful things if only you ask it.
Brad @ Nov 29th 2007 4:45PM
Problem is, with a twin-turbo setup....upgrading the turbos aint cheap...
tc @ Nov 29th 2007 5:27PM
Agreed. On paper, the car looks great. But in the photo, the curve lines along the lower rocker, the wheels, the rear spoiler, yech...they kind of ruin it for me.
It's like knowing that Jessica has a great bod but she puts on some wacky outfit externally like this:
http://modelvolume.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/jessica_alba-picture.jpg
tc
real prices from real people
http://www.pricehub.com
Zane @ Nov 29th 2007 5:37PM
Wow! That car looks mean! Wonder if I should postpone the purchase of a 135i? Hmm .. I'll lose the "year 1 of the one" badge though. :D
s2d4 @ Nov 29th 2007 5:48PM
this thing is pretty ugly in comparison with the 335i.... Cant wait for the next iteration of the model... hope it would turn out better
TigerMil @ Nov 29th 2007 7:17PM
As soon as BMW Motorrad makes an M1 on this chassis, maybe.
400hp @8K from the L6 turbo engine is just about right.
Peter @ Nov 30th 2007 4:05AM
What do the bike guys have to do with this???
Bryan @ Nov 30th 2007 1:51AM
That looks and sounds like fun! Too bad it carries such a hefty price at the base that I could never afford to hand it over to AC Schnitzer.