BMW 1-Series Coupe AC-Schnitzer Police Car Unveiled at Essen Motor Show

Since 2005, the Association of German Car Tuners (VDAT) in cooperation with the German Police and the country's Federal Ministry for Transport have created the "Tune It! Safe" program to encourage drivers to adopt safe and legal tuning practices. As part of the promotion, the past four years a vehicle is converted into a police car and is exhibited at the annual Essen Motor Show in Germany (Nov. 28 - Dec. 06). For this year's show, VDAT chose a BMW 123d Coupe that has been extensively modified by AC Schnitzer.

The BMW tuning specialist bumped the twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine's output to 241HP and 480Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. With power being sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, the AC Schnitzer-prepped 123d Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds.

Other hardware modifications include a sport suspension that drops the ride height by 30mm, new alloy wheels wrapped in Hankook tires and a sport exhaust system.

On the outside, the 123d gets the full police treatment with original stickers and Hella flashing lights while AC Schnitzer also added an aero kit that comprises of a two-piece front spoiler, rear skirt insert, rear wing and rear roof spoiler.

The coupe's interior has been upgraded with leather bucket seats, genuine carbon fibre trim on the dashboard, centre console, door handles and steering wheel, complemented by the aluminium pedals and foot rests.

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JE Design Turns the Wick Up on the 2010 SEAT Leon FR TSI and TDI

The tuning specialists over at JE Design are planning to debut their 2010 Seat Leon FR at this month's Essen Motor Show in Germany. The performance package includes upgrades for both the TSI gasoline and TDI diesel versions of the Spanish hatchback. In its latest form, the 2.0-liter TSI petrol engine delivers 211HP and 280Nm of torque. With JE Design's engine kit that's priced at €1,499, the TSI's output is lifted to 270HP and 335Nm reducing the Leon FR's zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time from 7.1 to 6.2 seconds.

The 170HP 2.0-liter diesel engine's gets a nudge to 204HP and 380Nm of torque. This extra muscle helps cut 0-100km/h acceleration from 8.2 to 7.6 seconds. The price for this kit is €1,339 Euros and also includes VAT, assembly and warranty.

The tuner shop offers a set of lowering springs (€159) to bring the car 35mm closer to the ground while there's also an adjustable coilover suspension (€979) that allows the driver to drop the vehicle's height between 15mm and 40mm. A set of 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels shod in 225/35R 19 rubber priced at €2,930 complete the performance tweaks.

For the exterior, JE Design offers a bevy of upgrades including headlamp covers (€89), LED daytime running lights (€299) and its aerodynamics package that comprises of a front spoiler (€279), side skirts (€299), rear apron (€299) and the centre diffuser attachment (€99) plus a four-pipe muffler system (€899) and a pair of Lamborghini-style scissor doors (€1,499).

Finally, the interior can be modded with a leather treatment for the seats, door linings and the centre armrest (€1,599), a two-stage seat heating function (€379) and even a massage system with twelve programmes for the front seats (€429).

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AC Schnizter Tunes BMW 3-Series Sedan and Touring Facelift Models

After the recent unveiling of the facelifted BMW 3-Series Sedan and Touring, AC Schnizter's design team went back to the draw board to create a new aero package for both variants of the German firm's best selling model. Schnizter's cosmetic kit consists of a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, side sills, a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, a tailgate spoiler for the sedan, a roof spoiler (Sedan and Touring and of course, new alloy wheels.

As one would expect, the Aachen-based tuner also offers a variety of interior accesories as well as mechanical upgrades that include a power kit for the 3.0-litre turbo diesel that rises output 254HP to 284HP, and peak torque from 520Nm to 570Nm. AC Schnizter will release more details on its 2009 BMW 3-Series Sedan and Touring offerings at the forthcoming Essen Motorshow in Germany.

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