When beads of perspiration form on the brow of experienced sports car drivers, it’s not necessarily down to a faulty air conditioning system. With the 420 bhp V8 of the BMW M3, the ACS3 Sport catapults even its keenest challengers into the rear view mirror. The sporting coupe is ideal for anyone seeking to gain advantage on twisting tracks. A normal M3 would be a tough competitor here, because in comparison with the “civilized” 3-series Coupe it has a totally different axle construction. With racing suspension developed on the legendary Nürburgring, AC Schnitzer has succeeded in refining the handling potential of the chassis even further. And fitted with the Short Shift from Aachen, the ACS3 Sport becomes the automotive hero of the day: No-one is changing gears faster!

Best of all: The vehicle loses nothing of its qualities as a daily driver. Instead, AC Schnitzer inserts even more M-otion into everyday life, for example when the Aachen exhaust system plays its bewitching baritone in a road tunnel. The left/right system with two tailpipes per side, linked into a horizontal figure of eight, is however a visual work of art. In a play on the mathematical symbol for “infinity”, at the same time it symbolizes the powerful reserves of the vehicle which reaches 60 mph from a standing start in an effortless 4.6 seconds. No less carefully arranged are the aerodynamic attachments, which for AC Schnitzer are always more than mere visual decoration. At the rear, a diffuser of visible carbon presses the car down onto the tarmac as if there were magnets below the road surface. The front spoiler is also made from this high quality material, and is supported against the front skirt with alloy struts as in motorsport. Further downforce is provided by a subtle rear roof spoiler and rear wing which also give the body exciting new contours. Side skirt extensions, in particular when combined with the white paint of the photo model, give the profile an aura of stature and dynamism. Finally the AC Schnitzer racing rims Type VI embody pure culture, on the ACS3 Sport in sizes 9.0J x 20″ on the front and 10.5J x 20″ on the rear. The combination of Y-spokes and contrasting five fork spokes superimposed in two planes, produces a design that is as exciting as it is elegant.

• Imposing V10 modification for BMW 3-Series coupe

• Engine exchange for M V10 with 560 PS and 574 Nm!

• Sophisticated M3 look including HAMANN components starting with 325i

• Sports brake system front and rear

• 20-inch wheels Edition “Race” with Hankook high performance tires

• Interior refinement with sports steering wheel, SMG paddles, carbon décor and racing sports seats
  
  Is the 3-Series coupe not sporty enough? Too unspectacular? Engine too weak? HAMANN, one the most experienced and competent references for the challenging BMW tuning takes a crowning moment with its BMW E92 modification program for the coupe, that changed both exterior and interior design as well as underneath the hood beyond recognition. The awe-inspiring coupe answers to the perfectly matched name “Thunder“!

Most powerful through potent V10

HAMANN thought wherever a V8 engine can fit, a V10 can fit in as well and look, voilá it fits! The BMW 3-Series coupe comes with a whole array of series-produced engines. The most powerful series-made of these is the M3. When it rolls off the assembly line, it has a 4-litre engine, 420 hp and 400 Nm torque. Whoever wants to top these performance characteristics, receives from HAMANN not only the “normal“ V10 out of the BMW M-program, but an advanced performance version with 560 hp /412 kW (at 7.750 U/min) as well! Featuring an impressive 574 Nm of torque at 6.100 U/min, it delivers a surge of power through a seven-speed manual SMG transmission resulting that most passengers are shocked groping for something to hang on to during acceleration. The sprint takes 4,3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Only upon reaching top speed of 335 km/h does this transmission begin to meet its limitation in compulsion to move forwards.HAMANN sport catalysts provide one with a clear conscience. A HAMANN four-pipe sports rear muffler with four round tailpipes bears the right to the perfect name “Thunder” matching acoustically. The four stainless steel pipes, each 76 mm in diameter, make the rear end of this coupe even more attractive and create a goose-bump producing sound.M3-look plus HAMANN components

Such a power-operated modified 3-Series coupe can linger as an understatement or embark enroute directly to HAMANNs aerodynamic department. There this muscle car receives a complete M3-look kit including a carbon car roof. A HAMANN front spoiler reduces lift even more effectively. In back the same is accomplished with a HAMANN rear diffuser.

Sports brake system – just in case

Whatever looks tremendously fast, generally is driven tremendously fast. As HAMANN takes safety close to heart, each “Thunder” receives a sports brake system front and back. It consists of two slotted and ventilated brake disks (front 405×43 mm / rear 380×28 mm), 2 HAMANN fixed brake callipers (six-piston front, four-piston rear) and special brake pads.

Wheels in 20-inch

Wheels in 20-inch size match best to modified “Thunder”. HAMANN offers this size with design “Edition Race”. The appearance of this three pieced, ultra-lightweight, forged rim in cross-spoke design with black spider is characterized by 9 main spokes, each branching outwards into two further spokes. Next to this striking, exciting design the titanium bolts are particular attention getters. Icing to the cake is the elegant looking high-gloss polished rim flange. Applied in front, this wheel comes in 8,5Jx20 with tires in 10,5Jx20-inch. Rear end of the 560 hp “Thunder” is carried across asphalt in tires 325/25 ZR20.HAMANN equips the “Thunder” with S1 EVO high performance tires from technology partners HANKOOK.Racing atmosphere in Cockpit

With its interior design too, HAMANN leaves no question of its bond to motor racing sports. During high speeds around the corners, the driver is comfortably supported with light-weight constructed racing sport seats. With a HAMANN sports steering wheel designed in carbon components, Formula 1 feelings come through. The complete sports racing look is finished with a total carbon interior décor design providing a race track ring atmosphere.All listed modifications from engine changes, to aerodynamics, brakes, wheels and interior designs are undertaken by HAMANN for all gas engine 3-Series coupes starting with 325i, 330i, 335i through the M3 .

[From Hamann Press]