Autoblog

Click above for a high res gallery of the AC Schnitzer MINI Clubman S.

The MINI Clubman isn't what we'd call overly practical, or particularly pretty, but AC Schnitzer has done its best to address the biggie-sized MINI's faults. AC's interpretation of the Clubman S begins with an increase in output courtesy of a new sports exhaust that aids breathing and increases power to 226 hp and 210 lb.-ft. of torque. A "twin sports rear silencer" ensures that you won't be irritating the neighbors on your way to Macy's, and a choice of either a simple spring kit or a height-adjustable racing suspension gives the Clubman a more sporting stance while ensuring that things remain planted if you ever decide to tackle the twisties. AC Schnitzer is offering a choice of 17x7.5- or 18x7.5-inch wheels, a new hood with a bulging power dome and aluminum pedals to round out the appearance package, along with a limited slip differential to make sure that peg-leg burnouts are kept in check while darting from stop-light to stop-light. Hit the jump to read AC Schnitzer's flowery prose about its reworked Clubman S.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the ACS1 Cabrio.

In typical AC Schnitzer fashion, the German tuner wasted no time getting to work on the new BMW 1-series cabrio. Then again, it didn't take much effort to port over the work AC did for the standard 1-series coupe to its softer, drop-top sibling.

The ACS1 Cabrio package includes all the Schitzerfied exterior elements (new front bumper, rear bumper with diffuser and side skirts) and interior bits (silver carbon fiber trim, aluminum pedal and shifter, etc.) you'd expect. More importantly, AC is offering tuning packages for every model in the 1-series lineup, including the 135i, 120d and 123d. The two diesel mills get a bump in power to 200 hp and 240 hp respectively, with the 135i outputting 360 hp through the use of a revised exhaust and some ECU tweaks. Naturally, AC is offering up a plethora of wheel options, sized from 17- to 19-inches.


[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 BMW 6-Series by AC Schnitzer

AC Schnitzer revamped its offerings for the 2008 BMW 6-series and is including tweaks for the 635d model. The changes boost power from the stock oilburner's 286 hp and 428 lb.-ft. to 310 hp and 501 lb.-ft. of torque. Along with the engine mods, the AC crew has redesigned its 6-series body kit to include a new lower intake, side skirts, rear lip and rear spoiler with an integrated brake light, along with fitting Type VI 20x9-inch wheels in the front and 20x10s out back. The 650i model also gets some love under the hood with an increase in power from 367 hp to 411 hp, which helps the new Schnitzer 6 get a 22 mph boost in its top speed to 178 mph. All the details are in AC's press release, posted after the jump.

In addition to tuning BMWs (and lately, beating them with an ugly stick in the process), AC Schnitzer offers a series of wristwatches. Who knew? This week, the company unveiled its Quartz Chronograph 2. Handsome and traditional in appearance (unlike some of its newer vehicle body kits), the new chrono features a brushed stainless case that's water resistant to 100 meters. A tachometer rings its pale yellow face, which also includes separate hour, minute, and second counters. A black leather strap with white contrast stitching affixes the timepiece to your wrist, and checking the time at night is no problem, either. The entire face is made of phosphorescent Luminova. Schnitzer doesn't say how much the new chrono costs, but we're fairly certain it's a good deal more than your garden-variety Timex.

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Click above image to view the high resolution photo

We gave you a preview of AC Schnitzer's version of the M3 earlier this month, and now we have the official details of the ACS3 Sport as well as more photos for your viewing enjoyment. The 4.0-liter V8 has been left untouched, but moving through the gears can be done more quickly with a short throw shifter, and a new exhaust system has been installed with dual "figure eight" tail pipes. A race-tuned suspension refined on the Nurburgring helps increase the handling limit of the car, and it drops the car pretty tightly over the new 20-inch 5-spoke wheels. AC Schnitzer has made a few tweaks to the exterior with a carbon fiber rear diffuser and front splitter, new side skirts, and a subtle roof spoiler that do a good job of not spoiling the original design of the car. AC Schnitzer didn't ignore the interior, and has a carbon fiber trim kit, sport steering wheel, and various aluminum accent pieces available. The full details can be viewed in the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery below.

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

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.

Click the image above for more shots of the GP3.10 hammering around Nardo.

You might recall the AC Schnitzer crew trotting out a particularly gaudy BMW 3-series coupe in Frankfurt called the GP3.10, powered by a V10 engine pulled from the M5/M6 running off liquefied petroleum. While the styling of the Bimmer caused a few of us to inadvertently gag while patrolling the floor in Germany, its performance potential – 552 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque – showed promise.

Fast forward a few months later, and according to the Schnitzer folks, the GP3.10 set the world record for the fastest gas-powered car in the world. The coupe was brought out to the 13-mile Nardo test track in Southern Italy where it laid down a terminal velocity of 318.1 km/h, or 197 mph. While that's a feat unto itself, even more surprising is AC Schnitzer's claim that some of the technology will filter down to the tuner's products in the future.

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

The Essen Motor Show in Germany has become one of the major outlets for Europe's aftermarket tuners to show their wares to a dedicated fan base. Among the many models set to make their modified debut in the land of schnitzel and spatzel is the AC Schnitzer BMW E92 M3.

Details are scarce on what's been done to the suspension and under the hood, but if the exterior enhancements are any indication, we'd expect the folks at AC to bring their trademark blend of functionality and style into a comprehensive whole. Carbon fiber adorns the front splitter and side skirts, and we'd suspect that a C.F. rear diffuser is mounted out back – all of which ties in nicely to the exposed weave on the roof. The larger rolling stock (20s?) is typical Schnitzer style and the lowered ride height is likely a coilover system derived from their standard E92 setup.

As soon as AC Schnitzer releases its official details, we'll have more.

[Source: Motor Authority]

We're back with Autoblog Podcast #77, and it's a Frankfurt-recap extravaganza. We discuss our favorite picks, as well as touching on some of the numerous highlights from the monster-sized show. We got a glimpse of the Jaguar XF in person, and it's better in person, but can it save Jaguar? BMW unveiled the X6, it's own AMC Spirit ripoff, not to be left behind by the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro from Shanghai. We continue on about exotic sheetmetal from Brabus, Schnitzer, Bentley, and Aston Martin, to name a few. On the more mundane tip, the Mazda 6 rocked, the Aveo was ugly, the Journey landed on its face, and could we please, please knock it off with the front quarter panel vents? After Alex's speed-round wrapup, we discuss a solitary piece of non-Frankfurt news, the Jeep J8. Yes, it's awesome, no, you can't buy one. Damn, that's stupid, Chrysler. Onward!

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Click the image above for a host of high-res pics of the AC Schnitzer GP3.10

For over two decades, AC Schnitzer has built its brand on motoring madness with looks to match. Normally, this involves a bevy of modifications to enhance every performance-related aspect of the vehicle, but with the GP3.10, they've made the bold move of trying to balance fuel efficiency with sporting dynamics.

The GP3.10 houses an M5/M6-sourced V10 that runs on liquefied petroleum gas and produces 552 HP and nearly 400 lb.-ft. of torque. 60 comes up in a cool four-and-a-half seconds, and between high-speed runs you can fill up at one of the 2,700 LPG-packing fuel stations sprinkled across Germany. Of course, the Schnitzer folks couldn't leave the GP looking like a standard 3, so they unfortunately took the interior and exterior to an unhealthy extreme.

You can read up on all the details in the press release after the jump, and peruse through the gallery below.