Essen 2007: Details on AC Schnitzer's E92 M3


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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]

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PRESS RELEASE:

When beads of perspiration form on the brow of experienced sports car drivers, it's not necessarily down to a faulty air conditioning system. With the 420 V8-HP of the BMW M3, the ACS3 Sport catapults even its keenest challengers into the rear view mirror. The sporting coupé is ideal for anyone seeking to gain advantage on twisting tracks. A normal M3 would be a tough competitor here, because in comparison with the "civilised" 3-series Coupé it has a totally different axle construction. With racing suspension developed on the legendary Nürburgring, AC Schnitzer has succeeded in refining the handling potential of the chassis even further. And fitted with the Short Shift from Aachen, the ACS3 Sport becomes the automotive hero of the day: No-one is changing gears faster!

Best of all: The vehicle loses nothing of its qualities as a daily driver. Instead, AC Schnitzer magics even more M-otion into everyday life, for example when the Aachen exhaust system plays its bewitching baritone in a road tunnel. The left/right system with two tailpipes per side, linked into a horizontal figure of eight, is however a visual work of art. In a play on the mathematical symbol for "infinity", at the same time it symbolises the powerful reserves of the vehicle which reaches 100 km/h from a standing start in an effortless 4.8 seconds. No less carefully arranged are the aerodynamic attachments, which for AC Schnitzer are always more than mere visual decoration. At the rear, a diffuser of visible carbon presses the car down onto the tarmac as if there were magnets below the road surface. The front spoiler is also made from this high quality material, and is supported against the front skirt with alloy struts as in motorsport. Further downforce is provided by a subtle rear roof spoiler and rear wing which also give the body exciting new contours. Side skirt extensions, in particular when combined with the white paint of the photo model, give the profile an aura of stature and dynamism. Finally the AC Schnitzer racing rims Type VI embody pure culture, on the ACS3 Sport in sizes 9.0J x 20" on the front and 10.5J x 20" on the rear. The combination of Y-spokes and contrasting five fork spokes superimposed in two planes, produces a design that is as exciting as it is elegant.

Further highlights of course include the forged wheel Type V in 20". With its strikingly curved, interrupted spokes, it not only looks superb but thanks to the lightweight construction method, keeps the unsprung weight to a minimum. A no less attractive alternative is the Type IV racing wheel in silver - and with trendy black finish as "Magic Black". And naturally AC Schnitzer continues the theme of sports performance in the driver's workplace, offering attractive and ergonomically perfect aluminium controls for the gearknob, handbrake handle, pedals and i-Drive controller. A carbon interior trim and sports airbag steering wheel are also available on request.

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