Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [VIDEO]

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:33:41 +0000

High performance vehicles like Porsche 911s being used for pursuit duty on Germany’s autobahn is nothing new. As such, in order order to grab the attention of Essen Motor Show attendees, the Tune It Safe! program’s annual police-liveried show car needs to go a step further. Past efforts have included rides such as a police-liveried Brabus Rocket and a TechArt-prepared Porsche 911. This year, AC Schnitzer got the call and it has unwrapped (or perhaps wrapped is the better term, given the side graphics) a police car concept based on the BMW 123d coupe.

Naturally, Schnitzer couldn’t leave the stock, 40 mpg 204-horsepower twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel alone, and so it has boosted the show car’s engine to 241 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. They’ve also applied an array of their appearance upgrades including a front splitter, rear spoiler, and a bigger wheel/tire package. The body has been dropped 30 millimeters, which should help compensate a bit for the extra drag of the light bar on the roof. Inside, racing seats and carbon fiber trim are accompanied by a cover for the iDrive knob that matches the wheel design.

We’ll pass on the light bar and the graphics, but take the rest of the car, please. Not sure about it yourself? Take a look at the high-res gallery below and a video available after the jump.

2011 BMW 5-series / 528i / 535i / 550i the Super Cars

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:07:31 +0000

Now two generations back, the E39 5-series was a virtual shoo-in at our annual 10Best competition. Improving on what we thought was near perfection is tricky and, roughly six years ago, we lamented the launch of the then-new fifth-generation E60 5-series. Not only could we not get past the Bangle-ized styling, but the interior design seemed cold and the material quality a step backwards, too. And then there was the much-maligned iDrive. The 5 still drove mostly like a champ, but some of the new chassis technology, such as active steering, seemed to further isolate the driver.

Now BMW has invited us to the unveiling of the new, sixth-generation car at its design studio at the home office in Munich. The company is quick to point out that we’re among the first to ever be allowed access to the ultra-secret facilities, but perhaps BMW figures now that Herr Bangle is no longer around there’s significantly less risk of a journalist’s snarky comment leading to an all-out brawl.

The new car certainly looks better than the E60, with subtle and not-so-subtle styling elements—the hard crease running through the door handles, for example, as well as the hood detailing and the contours of the body sides—adding a level of depth and aggressiveness that far exceeds that of the previous model. Inside, it’s not unlike the current 7-series—the gauge cluster is similar, as is the general layout. However, the materials, as we’ve experienced in the new 5-series GT model, are much richer than those of the outgoing 5-series. Leathers are softer, the wood trim is far more upscale-looking, and the seats are extremely comfortable—10-way power adjustability is standard, and there are heavenly optional seats that include various additional adjustments including separate upper and lower seatback angle for the ultimate in shoulder support.

Source: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q4/2011_bmw_5-series_528i_535i_550i-official_photos_and_info

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Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [VIDEO]

2011 BMW 5-series / 528i / 535i / 550i the Super Cars