TUNE IT! SAFE! is an initiative of the German tuning association VDAT, built on a simple motto: only reputable, safe tuning delivers the driving pleasure people are looking for. Every year the VDAT puts a special concept car on the road, and as in each of the four previous years, the 2010 car was a professionally converted police vehicle. The campaign was backed by the police and the German Federal Ministry of Transport, and BMW AG supported it with a 123d Coupé.
AC Schnitzer, itself a VDAT member, was responsible for most of the car's equipment. Named ACS1 2.3d, the coupé had its 2.3 litre diesel engine uprated to 241 hp (177 kW) and 480 Nm. Paired with the six-speed automatic gearbox, it sprinted from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, enough for even the fastest pursuit. A chrome AC Schnitzer Racing tailpipe gave the optimised engine a sonorous voice.
For a low and secure stance, the AC Schnitzer sport suspension lowered the car by 30 mm. It was set up on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and also tested on public roads, with an aluminium front strut brace completing the chassis. AC Schnitzer Type IV BiColor wheels carried tyres from Hankook, main sponsor of TUNE IT! SAFE!. The body kit consisted of a two-piece front spoiler, rear apron insert, rear wing and roof spoiler.
Inside, the officers sat in leather racing bucket seats with AC Schnitzer logo, framed by silver carbon trim on the dashboard, centre console, door handles and steering wheel, plus aluminium pedals and footrest. A prototype G-force display measured and recorded the forces in the cabin. Foliatec supplied the original police livery and Hella the roof signal system and LEDayFlex daytime running lights, turning the 123d into an authentic police car.
Key facts
- 241 hp (177 kW) and 480 Nm
- 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds
- Sport suspension, 30 mm lower, set up on the Nordschleife
- AC Schnitzer Type IV BiColor wheels with Hankook tyres
- Police livery by Foliatec, signal system by Hella
