Born from motorsport. Engineered for the road.
Since 1987, AC Schnitzer has pushed the boundaries of automotive performance, transforming BMW and MINI vehicles into something truly exceptional.
Driven by precision engineering and a relentless pursuit of perfection, we develop distinctive, purpose-built components that elevate performance, sharpen driving dynamics and enhance the connection between driver and machine.
Every innovation reflects our commitment to uncompromising quality and intelligent engineering, delivering extraordinary driving experiences without sacrificing everyday usability.
AC Schnitzer. Beyond the Standard.
In 1987, Willi Kohl and Herbert Schnitzer founded AC Schnitzer. The same year, the first programme for the BMW 7 Series E32 was shown at the IAA in Frankfurt.
What followed were concept cars that pushed what a BMW could be, two Nardò records and a programme that grew to wheels, aerodynamics, exhaust, suspension, engine and interior. Always developed model by model.
Campaign cars for TUNE IT! SAFE!, the initiative for safe and road-legal tuning.
AC Schnitzer is founded in Aachen by Willi Kohl and Herbert Schnitzer. The parent company is Kohl automobile GmbH.
The first AC Schnitzer car: the ACS7, based on the BMW E32, makes its world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt.
Motorsport: Anton Goeser in the BMW 635 CSi in the DTM, the German Touring Car Championship.
Andreas Wetzelsperger in the AC Schnitzer ACS3 Sport Group N rally car, based on the BMW M3 E30.
Manfred Wollgarten in the AC Schnitzer ACS3 Sport Group N, based on the BMW M3 E30, in the DTT, the German Touring Car Trophy.
World premiere of the road-legal AC Schnitzer ACS3 Sport, based on the BMW M3 E30, at the IAA in Frankfurt.
World premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt: the AC Schnitzer ACS3 silhouette 3.0, based on the BMW E36.
Move to the new AC Schnitzer building on Debyestrasse in Aachen.
World premiere of the AC Schnitzer ACS3 CLS, the Coupé Lightweight Silhouette based on the BMW M3 E36, at the IAA in Frankfurt.
World premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt: the AC Schnitzer CLS II, based on the BMW M3 E36.
Move to the new building at Neuenhofstrasse 160 in Aachen, back to the parent company Kohl automobile GmbH.
Ten years of AC Schnitzer: a special edition limited to 10 examples, the AC Schnitzer ACS3 3.2 compact “10 Years Limited Edition”, based on the BMW E36 compact.
World premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt: the first BMW Z3 with a V8 engine is the AC Schnitzer V8 roadster, based on the BMW Z3 roadster.
World premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt: the AC Schnitzer ACS3 A.R.T. (Advanced Racing Technology), based on the BMW 3 Series Coupé E46.
World premiere: the first BMW SUV is the AC Schnitzer X-ROAD.
World premiere: with the TOPSTER, AC Schnitzer shows a coupé version of the BMW Z4 at the IAA in Frankfurt, three years before the BMW Z4 Coupé comes to market.
World premiere of the AC Schnitzer TENSION, based on the BMW M6 E63, at the IAA. A few weeks later it breaks the world record at Nardò with 331.78 km/h, making it the fastest BMW.
World premiere of the AC Schnitzer PROFILE, based on the BMW M Coupé E86.
World premiere of the AC Schnitzer GP3.10 Gas Powered, based on the BMW 335i Coupé, at the IAA in Frankfurt. Shortly after, it sets the world record for LPG-powered cars at Nardò: 318.1 km/h.
World record: the AC Schnitzer ACS3 3.5d Coupé, based on the BMW 335d, sets the world record for diesel cars at Nardò: 288.7 km/h.
World premiere at the Essen Motor Show: the TUNE IT! SAFE! police BMW 123d by AC Schnitzer, based on the BMW 123d Coupé E82, is the first TUNE IT! SAFE! campaign car with an AC Schnitzer conversion.
World premiere of the TUNE IT! SAFE! electric police MINI by AC Schnitzer, based on the MINI E. The second TUNE IT! SAFE! campaign car.
World premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: the AC Schnitzer 99d, based on the BMW Z4 E89. 230 kg lighter, 190 hp, 234 km/h and 99 g/km CO2.
Also at the Geneva Motor Show, the AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S, based on the BMW 550i F10, celebrates its world premiere.
Record: the AC Schnitzer EAGLE is the fastest MINI on the short circuit at Hockenheim, in 1:12.3 min.
For comparison: Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 1:12.3 min, Ferrari California 1:13.5 min, Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series 1:13.8 min, Porsche 911 Carrera S 1:14.3 min, Porsche 911 Turbo 1:14.6 min, Audi RS 4 1:15.4 min, BMW Alpina B3 Coupé 1:16.1 min, Audi RS 6 1:17.6 min.
World premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: the AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport, based on the BMW M5 F10.
Record: the AC Schnitzer RAPTOR, based on the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Coupé, is the fastest MINI on the short circuit at Hockenheim, in 1:10.87 min.
For comparison: Koenigsegg CCR 1:09.8 min, Pagani Zonda F 1:10.8 min, Mercedes SLS AMG 1:10.8 min, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 1:10.9 min, Porsche 911 Turbo S 1:10.9 min, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 1:12.0 min.
World premiere at the Essen Motor Show: the TUNE IT! SAFE! police BMW 428i by AC Schnitzer. The third TUNE IT! SAFE! campaign car by AC Schnitzer.
World premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: the AC Schnitzer ACS6 Gran Coupé, based on the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé F06.
World premiere at the Essen Motor Show: the TUNE IT! SAFE! police BMW X4 by AC Schnitzer, based on the BMW X4 20i. The fourth TUNE IT! SAFE! campaign car by AC Schnitzer.
The new AC1 wheel generation also celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show.
A milestone in automotive history, the BMW i8, and our interpretation of it: the i8 by AC Schnitzer.
+ View the modelRecord: the M4 by AC Schnitzer is the fastest BMW on the short circuit at Hockenheim, in 1:09.20 min.
For comparison: Koenigsegg CCR 1:09.8 min, Pagani Zonda F 1:10.8 min, Mercedes SLS AMG 1:10.8 min, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 1:10.9 min, Porsche 911 Turbo S 1:10.9 min, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 1:12.0 min.
+ View the modelWorld premiere of the M2 by AC Schnitzer, fastest M2 on the Sachsenring in 1:32.90 min.
+ View the modelRecord: the 150d by AC Schnitzer is the fastest diesel at Hockenheim, in 1:13.80 min.
World premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: the ACL2, based on the BMW M235i.
World premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: the ACL2S anniversary conversion of the BMW M240i, limited to 30 examples.
Record: the M3 by AC Schnitzer is the fastest saloon on the Sachsenring, in 1:33.90 min.
+ View the modelRecord: the AC Schnitzer ACL2 is the fastest road-legal BMW on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Lap time Nordschleife: 7:25.80 min.
Record: the i8 by AC Schnitzer is the fastest i8 on the Nürburgring.
Lap time Nürburgring: 8:19.80 min.
+ View the modelRecord: the M5 by AC Schnitzer is the fastest saloon on the Sachsenring.
Lap time Sachsenring: 1:31.71 min.
+ View the modelRecord: the M5 by AC Schnitzer is the fastest saloon on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Lap time Nordschleife: 7:29.5 min.
+ View the modelPremiere of the TUNE IT! SAFE! police i8 by AC Schnitzer at the Essen Motor Show.
Premiere of the AC3 Evo lightweight forged wheel with centre-lock look.
World premiere of the new AC3 flow-formed wheel generation.
Premiere of the TUNE IT! SAFE! police M850i by AC Schnitzer.
World premiere of the new AC4 flow-formed wheel generation.
Premiere of the AC5 flow-formed wheels.
Premiere of the TUNE IT! SAFE! police BMW M2 by AC Schnitzer.
Premiere of the MI3 wheels.
Premiere of the AC6 flow-formed wheels.
Record: the M2 by AC Schnitzer is the fastest M2 on the Sachsenring.
Auto Bild sportscars, 11/2025.
+ View the modelAC Schnitzer becomes part of AM Group. The next chapter starts here.
To be revealed
1987 was the start. AC Schnitzer is now part of AM Group, and the next chapters are being built right now.
+ Follow the RevivalTested on road and track, delivered with a parts certificate.
Ideal line, downforce, lap time. Developed where it counts.
Every component developed for a specific model.
Heritage carried forward. The next chapters are being built right now.
Can't find your answer?
In 1987, by Willi Kohl and Herbert Schnitzer. The first programme, for the BMW 7 Series E32, debuted at the IAA in Frankfurt the same year.
AC is the vehicle registration code of Aachen, the city where the company was founded. Schnitzer comes from co-founder Herbert Schnitzer.