Prestige Styling offers wheel and tire packages to complete the bespoke X6, and interior enhancements that include full leather re-trim and custom detailing to round out the package.

For more information go to: www.prestigestyling.co.uk

With its high-tech facilities in Slovenia, Akrapovic utilizes cutting-edge technology alongside traditional craftsmanship to produce some of the most sought-after exhaust systems on the market.

All Akrapovic exhaust systems are constructed from the company's own exclusively developed titanium alloy; a material 3 times stronger and more heat resistant than other titanium materials, while being 40% lighter than traditional stainless steel.

Our readers may be interested in the range of exhaust systems available for BMW models. At present, Akrapovic produce systems for the 335i (E90, E91, E92), M3 (E90, E92, E93), M6 (E63, E64) and X6 (E71).

Evolution exhaust system for BMW M3 (E90, E92, E93)
The system which has received the most attention to date is the Evolution exhaust system for BMW M3 (E90, E92, E93). This consists of flow optimized link pipes with 2 x 100 cpsi sports catalysts and integrated resonators with a completely newly developed split-end muffler system. This system is made completely from titanium, and reduces the overall weight when compared to the stock system by 23.97 kg (see photo below):

From approximately 2.500 rpm, the power increase is approximately 23 HP. The torque is almost constant at 34.7 Nm over the standard. The engine is also stronger in the higher rpm-range and elasticity is improved considerably. The improvement of acoustics also played an important role in the system’s development.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information, pricing and specifications, visit US: www.akrapovic.com or Uk: www.titaniumperformance.co.uk.

The copy wheels broke!

Because of poor quality, counterfeit copies can suffer sudden catastrophic damage not only in vehicles moving in the limit range but also on vehicles in "normal" use. No insurance will cover the consequences and resulting compensation claims.

The impounded wheel copies were a safety risk to road traffic and have been destroyed.

In addition, economic losses amounting to millions for the worldwide AC Schnitzer trading organisation are another important reason for AC Schnitzer to take rigorous action against product piracy.

AC Schnitzer will continue to take action against all counterfeiters, and thus make an active contribution to customer safety. Because buyers of AC Schnitzer products have a right to high quality special developments which have undergone extensive testing, and this can only be guaranteed by AC Schnitzer Original Parts.

Here you can find the of the video of the AC Schnitzer wheel copy destruction "Stop the Copy":

Click here to view the embedded video.

A few facts about product piracy:

The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) estimates the economic damage caused by product and brand piracy in Germany to be around 20 - 30 billion Euro per year

In the estimation of the DIHK, already around 70,000 jobs have been lost

When they use counterfeits or copies, consumers may be exposing themselves to substantial risks of accident and danger to health

The following figures have been published by the Customs Agency:

Unfiltered by panels and glass, the crescendo of the AC Schnitzer exhaust system hits the ear directly, and creates goose-pimples with every acceleration. With a performance upgrade from Aachen on board too, you'll be in raptures - every press on the pedal is rewarded with a perceptible increase in wind speed.

Up to 265 kW / 360 HP from the 3.0 litre turbo petrol engine in the 1- and 3-series cabrios unleashes a real hurricane. For the 6-series however, AC Schnitzer presents the power-laden 302 kW / 411 HP 5.1 litre engine, which makes light work of even the big cabrio. Infinite torque is provided by the AC Schnitzer diesel power upgrades. The twin turbo of the 123d, after its extra "energising", delivers 177 kW / 240 HP instead of the standard 150 kW / 204 HP. The six-cylinder diesels of the 335d and 635d (standard 210 kW / 286 HP) are also coaxed into delivering up to 228 kW / 310 HP. Power kits are also available for many other variants, but whichever vehicle and engine you choose: fitting the AC Schnitzer suspension brings unmissable benefits.

With an open top, spirited driving on twisting country roads is a special pleasure, and nothing improves this pleasure like the spring-damper combinations from the hands of AC Schnitzer Engineering Director Manfred Wollgarten. Because the suspension genius personally checks all components on the North Loop of the Nürburgring. And because of course you don't always drive the cabrio at high speed, but sometimes like to linger over a ice at the nearest café, the visual impression must of course be right.

AC Schnitzer offers the right aerodynamic package for all models, together with further accessories for your enjoyment on the road. In the end, an open-top vehicle gives plenty of opportunities for the driver to turn every passing reflection in the shop window into his personal catwalk. Soon he'll be able to admire not only the 1-, 3- and 6-series in AC Schnitzer outfit, but also the new Mini Cabrio and the new Z4.

In November 2008 the 750 hp strong G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RS realised a top speed of 228,4 mph. This speed has been clocked and certified at the ATP High-Seed test track in Papenburg. With it the since October 2006 valid record of 365,7 km/h has been broken.

The G-POWER high-speed world record has been realised with a 20 hp stronger evolution of the famous G-POWER M5 HURRICANE which has been clocked with 360 km/h earlier in 2008 and holds the record for the fastest BMW sedan. The extra power of the G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RS is the result of two modified superchargers from G-POWER’s technology partner ASA, with enlarged capacity. In the following the boost level of the G-POWER BI-Kompressor system could be raised from 0,7 bar rel. to 0,8 bar rel.

But still the G-POWER BI-Kompressor system has not yet reached its limit. According to CEO and engineer Christian Stöber:” …we can rise the boost level up to 1,0 bar rel. and more” and CEO Zoran Zorneke is of the opinion:” we can still improve, if we see the need for it”

We are curios if this will be necessary…

The Aachen-based tuner is presenting three hot motors in its display on the main stand of Continental (No. 126) in Hall 3.

Live in Germany for the first time is the X6 Falcon by AC Schnitzer. The fast wide-bodied SAV, soon to be surrounded by the show crowds, is here powered by the six-cylinder 3.5d diesel which has been upgraded to 228 kW / 310 HP. But this is not the only premiere displayed by AC Schnitzer. The renowned company is here presenting for the first time its interpretation of the new facelifted 3-series. As well as customised accessories, visitors will marvel at the optimised version of the 3-litre Diesel. The power rises from 180 kW / 254 HP to 209 kW / 284 HP, and the torque peaks at 570 instead of 520 Nm. And to alleviate the depressing effects of the cold dark season, AC Schnitzer also has a BMW M3 convertible in its armoury. To bring out the sunshine.
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BMW Tuning MAG: Mr. Viandante, in practical terms you are responsible for all designs which have ever left the AC Schnitzer production halls. Many of your designs have caused a furore in the automotive press, most recently the GP3.10. GAS POWERED. But you didn't acquire all your knowledge from a Design Course. Tell us how you, with your varied background, came to be Chief Designer at AC Schnitzer.

From my youth, I've always been interested in engineering and of course design. Even as a young boy, I was designing and making things to make everyday life easier and above all more beautiful. But to explain in detail would sidetrack this conversation. By training as an engraver, I learned the skills to design small, beautiful, valuable and unique products; I added my own ideas and used the whole as a symbiosis for later development. After my training, I spent 6 years restoring classic cars to earn money. There I learned the "secrets" of bodywork construction and various painting techniques. In the meantime, my enthusiasm for painting and car design came further into focus. And the result was a fusion of artist and car-freak. At AC Schnitzer, this fusion has been fully exploited, and the challenge of the tasks facing me, the autodidactic development and training in the fields of computing, aerodynamics, clay modelling, working with carbon fibre etc. led to the present fortunate and successful collaboration.

BMW Tuning MAG: Can you remember your very first product for AC Schnitzer, and where you gained your inspiration?

After 21 years this is a difficult question to answer. I believe it was a 3-series – E30. I wanted to combine something from motorsport with a touch of elegance.

BMW Tuning MAG: Was it difficult to establish a particular direction for the first designs? First of all you had to create a specific AC Schnitzer style to cover a variety of products: wheels as much as spoiler skirts and exhaust systems. And a red thread had to run through them all.

Naturally establishing a design direction is not easy, but through talks, opinions, suggestions and a little "craziness", you reach a consensus. This must then be implemented, tested and supported with studies, and throughout the red thread must be retained and perfected every time.

BMW Tuning MAG: How would you say the AC Schnitzer style had developed over the last 20 years. Has it adapted to the new BMW lines, or does it have its own independent development?

In the last 20 years, a lot has changed. Previously the emphasis lay 80 percent on performance and aerodynamic efficiency. Today the aspects of design and exclusivity play a far greater role. In the course of the years, we have adapted our products accordingly. The BMW style is of course the "basic model", otherwise you'd have to build a whole new vehicle body. The real art lies in placing accents: you have to make the car more attractive, more sporting and above all more unique. Only then can we maintain our claim to be trendsetters. Our concept cars play a special role, with their unusual paintwork or extravagant design elements which sometimes polarise opinions, but above all are intended to show - and have shown - what can be improved and how. One factor common to all our products: AC Schnitzer models must provoke emotions in our customers, they must never be inconspicuous or boring.

BMW Tuning MAG: Where do you draw your inspiration for new designs? Are there particular rituals for getting in a creating mood?

As I've said, inspiration is an indefinable concept which is difficult to explain, but you "train" it over the course of time. Naturally you cannot force inspiration. It comes unexpectedly, at any time of the day or night, when you're playing sport, anywhere - you see something, observe, think about it and then an idea is born which can be used in a new project. And as a classics enthusiast, you are always "updating" accents. The mood comes from internal satisfaction with what has been created, and recognition in the press, from customers etc. You "improve", or rather "satiate" the hunger for innovation, that is my stimulus for mood.

BMW Tuning MAG: What do people who order a vehicle from AC Schnitzer really expect from design? Have there been developments here too?

A customer who buys an AC Schnitzer model expects something special. A premium product which is anything but standard. What people expect from us is quite easy to explain: clear lines, clean, subtle but imaginative and unique. Often copied, but - thank God - never equalled; and above all, the highest quality. They want more performance, exclusivity and love of detail. Developments always move on, otherwise we would not be so successful. Stagnation and resting on your laurels are no stimulus for successful futuristic design. We have to keep on the ball.

BMW Tuning MAG: Which of your designs is your absolute favourite?

That's a hard one. All new models are a new challenge, but the Topster must be one of my all time favourites.

BMW Tuning MAG: Imagine you had a one-off opportunity to design a completely different product. What would it be?

I've got many ideas, but life just isn't long enough to experience everything. Ideally I'd like to design a modern and attractive train which would give people a totally different feeling of travelling by rail.

BMW Tuning MAG: What designs of everyday products or vehicles in automobile history do you think are particularly successful, or what are your personal favourites?

In reality, all design products are sources of motivation and ideas. But to apply all of them would take forever. My favourites are of course cars by Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Lamborghini as classic models.

BMW Tuning MAG: How long does it take to develop a design, e.g. a wheel, through to production readiness, and what are the individual steps?

Design – as we've already said – is a combination of ideas, suggestions and reality. You have to visualise an idea, depict it and make it reality. Sometimes it's quick, sometimes it takes an "eternity" to achieve the right result. Production-readiness is a factor which is difficult to specify, as it doesn't just depend on us. Different tests have to be passed, and only then can production begin.

BMW Tuning MAG: You do it all yourself, from the first pencil sketches through to the clay modelling on the vehicle. How do you become so multi-talented? You can also paint very well, as the pictures in your office confirm.

As I've said: In life you have to help yourself! But joking aside, it comes from learning different professions from the bottom, and the endless challenge to yourself to make everything perfectly as you imagined. And of course you can only achieve that objective yourself. Naturally you can learn a great deal, but you have to have some talent. Painting could be described as the internal expression which reveals the soul, not only technically but also surrealistically and stylistically.

BMW Tuning MAG: What advice would you give young people who want to be designers? Can you offer practical tips?

What would I advise? I would recommend any young person wanting to be a designer, to gain practical experience in as many fields as possible. This is the key for rapid and flexible achievement. You have to implement your own ideas systematically, where possible without external influence. Only in this way can you guarantee that the designer can bring new ideas or changes into any phase of the development.

Although it might sound rather unorthodox for a creative profession, I always recommend remaining realistic, offering products and solutions which are technically feasible. It is important to develop a feeling for beauty and the harmony of lines and colours. Questioning yourself all the time is also important, as is the ability to prove yourself, to fight, to learn and simply absorb like a sponge the impressions of nature and its infinitely beautiful forms and colours, and finally apply these. Without diligence, it's worthless.

“In Europe Great Britain is one of the most important markets for our vehicles”, says Susanne Müllejans, marketing manager of the Aachen-based company, AC Schnitzer. “Our local importer promotes us at the trade fair, so that logistics costs for our parent company remain manageable. Furthermore our importer knows the requirements of the local market best“. At the moment the exhibition of two vehicles is planned in the North Events Hall, stand N7. The brand new ACS1 3.5i Cabrio with 360 HP – and, of course, the AC Schnitzer MINI. “The exhibition ultimately lives up to the original Mini which was also launched in London in 1959,” explains Müllejans.

The London Exhibition Centre; with an area of 400 000 square metres; was built at the turn of the Century in the former docklands. After a few stagnant years the car industry has recently rediscovered the British International Motor Show and through increased popularity is transforming itself into one of the absolutely top events,

AC Schnitzer is at the exhibition between 23rd July and 3rd August in the North Events Hall, stand N7.

Buy AC Schnitzer parts here.