Tuning makes many hearts beat faster, but it can also raise objections from registration authorities and the police. The TUNE IT! SAFE! initiative of the German tuning association VDAT proves every year that tuning can be safe. In 2020 AC Schnitzer equipped its campaign car for the sixth time. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure and funded entirely by sponsors, the campaign promotes homologated, safe tuning and shows what is possible with road approval.
The base car in 2020 was the BMW M850i xDrive. The AC Schnitzer power upgrade lifted it from 530 to 620 hp, fully approved for the road. AC Schnitzer engine cosmetics show under the bonnet that professionals were at work. The sport rear silencer with two exhaust flaps and four Carbon Sport tailpipes delivers a rich sound while staying within the legal noise limits.
The AC Schnitzer suspension spring kit lowers the car by about 20 to 30 mm at the front and 20 to 25 mm at the rear, also road legal, and lets the police M850i take every corner even more securely. It was tested on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and on public roads. Weight optimised AC3 Flowforming wheels in matt anthracite, 9.0J x 21 inch front and 10.0J x 21 inch rear, wear Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 tyres in 255/30 R21 and 295/25 R21.
Carbon front spoiler elements, front splitter, carbon front side wings, carbon side skirts, carbon rear diffuser and carbon rear spoiler show the breadth of the Aachen programme. Road approval is mandatory for the aero parts too, and the conversion clearly increases downforce. Inside, a black anodised aluminium paddle shift set, aluminium pedals and footrest, a keyholder and an iDrive controller cover are all fully legal to use.
Key facts
- Output raised from 530 to 620 hp
- Lowered about 20 to 30 mm front, 20 to 25 mm rear
- AC3 Flowforming wheels, 21 inch, matt anthracite
- Road legal carbon aero kit with more downforce
- AC Schnitzer's sixth TUNE IT! SAFE! car
