Tuning. September 2018 review
AS Schnitzer | BMW roadster i8 front view
AS Schnitzer | bmw roadster i8 rear view
Before Design | Mercedes-AMG GT S Front
Before Design | Mercedes-AMG GT S rear view
ABT Series | Audi A7 Sportback front view
ABT Series | Audi A7 Sportback side view
ABT Series | Audi RS3 Sportback front view
ABT Series | Audi RS3 Sportback rear view
AS Schnitzer
bmw roadster i8
AC Schnitzer from Aachen is one of the longest-lived tuning companies in the world. In 1964 Josef Schnitzer, founder of the studio, modified the BMW 1800ti for racing. Now the company does not participate in competition, but has long been a leader in the refinement of Bavarian brand cars. So she was the first among the tuning studios to introduce an update for the BMW i8 roadster.
Sales of the new roadster had just begun, but Schnitzer worked quickly to prepare a complete aerodynamic body kit made from carbon fiber. Branded “nostrils" of a false radiator grille, painted in body color, covers with ribs appeared on the sides of the front bumper, and an aggressive “lip” with a vertical air flow ejector appeared under the bumper. There was also a carbon lining at the bottom of the sills. The feed flaunts a new race diffuser and a fairly large fixed rear wing. Inside, the roadster received aluminum pedals and a platform for the left foot to rest, velor floor mats with the studio logo and a new iDrive controller interface, which also has the Schnitzer logo.
A complete makeover of the exterior branded 21-inch forged wheels with low-profile tires, we offer one – or two-tone option. As for the technical component, the car received a set of adjustable sports springs that reduce ground clearance by 20-25 mm, depending on certain parameters. It is thanks to the large wheels and lowered suspension that the roadster should noticeably improve handling. Didn’t do anything to the power plant.
Before Design
Mercedes-AMG GT S
The head office of the atelier before design, located in the German town of Kamp-Lintfort. Founded in the early 2000s, the company offers aerodynamic body kits for cars of various brands: Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Mini and Porsche periodically leave the gates of the enterprise. One of the latest developments of the company is a "wide-body" body kit for the sports car Mercedes-AMG GT s.
If the car owner suddenly his appearance does not seem to be aggressive enough, before the design knows what to offer him. First, the specialists from Kamp-Lintfort will create powerful front wheel arches and false sills between them, and then attach a low “lip” under the front bumper and fenders on the sides. Pete, of course, will build a new race diffuser and a fixed rear wing, and glued "wings" on each side of the rear bumper – the same as on the front bumper. All new aerodynamic elements can be made of fiberglass or carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is more expensive. This material also trims the interior, along with more expensive leather.
The wheels are, of course, also new: with a diameter of 20 inches on the front axle and 21 inches on the rear axle. And that the sports car handles better, the stock springs were ditched and installed in place of the H&R trimmed one, making the ground clearance less by 40mm. Finally, the standard exhaust system has been replaced with an original one, with a special valve that is controlled from the cab and, if desired, makes the engine sound more aggressive. Currently, the studio feels the car at the Nurburgring and promises to announce the result in the near future – much better than the factory copy.
ABT Sportsline is not
Audi A7 Sportback
It’s time for ABT Sportsline to enter the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest tuning shop in the world. This is because even back in 1896, Johann ABT opened in the German city of Kemp-ten, a forge, making horseshoes, and thus improved the quality of driving. However, the car company started a very long time ago – in 1960. Since then, the studio has specialized in improving the models of the Volkswagen group, which, as you know, includes the Audi brands. Therefore, it is not surprising that the craftsman from Kempten has presented a package of reforms for the latest coupe hatchback Audi A7 Sportback.
Since the car is new, the designers did not begin to prepare the aerodynamic body kit from ABT, but it was unrealistic to present a large number of large rims from 20 inches to 22 to choose from. The width of the discs is also rather big – from 9 to 10 inches. The discs are available in a variety of colours, from plain to multi-coloured and from matt to glossy.
The demo model is powered by a 3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, factory shaped, developing 340 hp. with. and 500 Nm. But after installing a new control unit, the ABT A7 engine received a 25% increase in power and a 10% increase in maximum torque. Thus, the impact of the power unit reached 425 hp. with. and 550 Nm. Currently, the mechanics studio is working on improving the performance of diesel modifications. Interestingly, the company does not leave its customers without a guarantee that covers the factory and three years. Not every tuning studio offers such favorable conditions.
ABT Sportsline is not
Audi RS3 Sportback
In addition to civilian cars, tuning studio ABT Sportsline was engaged in the preparation of racing cars for participation in the DTM touring car championship at the wrong time. And it must be said, its periodically Audi imposing itself with full-fledged factory teams. The word is racing experience in the atelier of the rich. And it certainly comes in handy in refining the Audi RS3 Sportback.
This factory-shaped compact hatchback is the fastest car in its lineup. Its 2.5-liter supercharged "five" develops 400 hp. with. and 480 Nm, which allows you to accelerate to 100 km / h in 4.1 C and reach an electronically limited maximum speed of 280 km / h after the engine has been “modernized” by the mechanics of the bus, its power has increased to 500 hp. with. and the maximum torque increased to 570 Nm. As a result, acceleration to “hundreds” was reduced to 3.7 seconds, and the maximum speed after removing the electronic limiter is 300 km / h. If it seems too much returns to the client, he can order less powerful versions – "only" 460 hp. with.
He also worked on the appearance of the hatchback. The car received lining on the front fenders that mimic the vents to remove hot air from the engine, four exhaust pipes instead of two, and a new diffuser that can easily be mistaken for a factory. And of course, there were new wheels with a dimension of 19 or 20 inches, in a variety of designs and colors. For the special interior, floor mats with the logo of the studio, aluminum pedals and various types of exclusive leather and carbon fiber trim elements.