A homage to the BMW 2002 tii of the 1970s, AC Schnitzer have applied their own interpretation of the 70s legend onto BMW's new 1-Series Coupe. The ACS1 refines the refined, upping power output from the 1-Series' charged biturbo unit, uprating suspension and adding an extensive AC Schnitzer bodykit.
Improved downforce and greater ground adhesion are delivered via the addition of functional but stylish new skirts front and rear as well as a rear wing and rear roof spoiler. Front spoiler elements use aluminium struts developed from the motorsport world, the home of BMW's 2002. And to ensure optimum road (and track) handling, the ACS1 3.5i's sports suspension was tuned by touring car driver and technical director at AC Schnitzer Manfred Wollgarten on the North Loop of Germany's Nurburgring.
Now rated at 360 hp rather than the series model's 306 hp, the 3.5-litre biturbo unit, which has torque increase by 50 Nm to 450 Nm, delivers both on the track and on the straightline. Acceleration to 100 kph from standstill is achieved in under five seconds, while top speed increases from 250 to 300 kph. And with new sports rear silencer and aptly named 'Racing' tailpipes, these figures can be heard as much as they can be felt.
Finishing off the ACS1 are a range of alloy wheels that complement AC Schnitzer's refined new 1-Series Coupe. Type IV 'BiColor' rims available in 19" are the tuner's choice, wearing 225/35R19 tyres. Inside, an array of cabin enhnancements for controls and switchgear include the stylish splashing of aluminium and carbon.
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.
