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AC Schnitzer 5er Touring Review

January 2005
Filed under: ACSCHNITZER Car News | ACSCHNITZER Headlines
Aerodynamic components in sporting, elegant design, engine tuning for the 530d variants, alloy and racing rims in various sizes and styles, and numerous interesting accessories: As sales of the new BMW 5-series Touring begin, AC Schnitzer can already offer a sporting tuning range for the elegant estate.

Despite - or because of - the excellent "Basis", AC Schnitzer is currently developing a special accessories range which will perfect the 6-series in all its qualities. Because in the end, there's nothing so good that it can't be improved.

In the first stage of development work, AC Schnitzer adapted the alloy and racing wheels for the new 6-series. The Type III wheels and the new Type IV design are already available today.

As the maximum size AC Schnitzer actually develops a wheel tyre combination with the new
Type IV racing wheel in 21". As well as various combinations in 19" the 6-series can also carry the combination of 9.0J x 20" on the front with tyres 245/35 R 20 and on the rear axle 10.0J x 20" with tyres 285/30 R 20. Just this measure perceptibly improves the driving dynamics of the 6-series Coupé. AC Schnitzer recommends high performance tyres by Continental and Michelin.

AC Schnitzer improves the appearance of the five-door with well-fitting, easily painted aerodynamic components. For the Touring AC Schnitzer already offer a front spoiler which not only guarantees a more striking outfit but also improves downforce on the front axle. The recessed air intakes provide further optimum cooling for the front brakes.
The new BMW is further enhanced by aerodynamic sports door mirrors and side skirts - both already available.

Still in development are the aerodynamic components for the rear of the vehicle. These will shortly include a rear roof spoiler and a rear skirt - for vehicles with and without trailer coupling - to provide aerodynamic balance.
Individual highlights are set with the Chromeline Set. Ordered as an option, this sets accents on the front spoiler, side skirts and rear skirt.

The rear skirt makes the new 5-series Touring look more powerful thanks to the integral braced underfloor wing, and harmoniously integrates the solid stainless steel rear silencer with chromed racing tailpipe trim.

As well as sporting appearance and sonorous exhaust note, the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer primarily ensures an improved gas flow and optimum response behaviour. To complete the aesthetic improvements, a chromed tailpipe trim is part of the broad range of accessories.

For the BMW 530d Touring - with or without the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer - we are currently developing a performance upgrade. As the popular 3.0 l standard diesel engine in the entire E60 / E61 series is now being converted by BMW to the use of a soot particle filter, our engineers and designers are currently working on corresponding adaptations.
Despite the increased power of the AC Schnitzer ACS5 3.0d Touring, the superb driving comfort, moderate fuel consumption and excellent stability naturally remain unchanged.

The suspension concept, already excellent as standard, which uses pneumatic springs on the rear, is currently being refined by our specialists. It will comprise an AC Schnitzer sports suspension including lowering by around 30 mm, the racing strut brace for the front and a special antiroll bar kit, and will further improve the driving dynamics and not least also increase the safety reserves of the 5-series Touring. For pure lowering, a suspension spring kit is also being developed. All components are currently undergoing extensive tests on the public roads and on the North Loop of the Nürburgring.

The perfect addition to the sports suspension concept and the attractive appearance set of course the AC Schnitzer wheels. The owner of a BMW 5-series Touring faces a pleasant dilemma: To choose between the one-piece and multipiece variants of the totally new AC Schnitzer Type IV wheel and the different variants of the classic Type II and Type III wheels.

The filigree 5-spoke Type IV wheel in the new Design aesthetically suits the avant-garde appearance of the new 5-series Touring. Technically of course it fulfils the promises of its appearance: the new Type IV alloy wheel was developed using top quality materials and modern production processes. It is available as a one-piece alloy wheel in 8.5J x 19" or as a multipiece racing rim in 9.0J or 10.0J x 20". We recommend high performance tyres by Continental and Michelin up to maximum sizes 255/30 R 20 on the front and 295/25 R 20 on the rear.

Or you might prefer one of the successful Type II or Type III wheel designs which are also available in sizes from 8.5J x 18" to 10.0J x 20”.

The cockpit of the BMW 5-series Touring can already be enhanced with chic and practical accessories, e.g. an ergonomically shaped airbag sports steering wheel in leather or with carbon-fibre trim. A carbon-fibre interior trim in silver exclusive design for the dashboard and door trims is also available. The aluminium cover for the controller of the BMW-specific "i-Drive system" sets the finishing touch in every sense.

Last but not least, aluminium foot rests and pedals, gear knob or automatic selector lever and finally of course the velours floor mats in AC Schnitzer design complete the entire interior.

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