AC Schnitzer travelled to the Nurburgring to showcase the benefits of its new performance package for the i8. The BMW tuning specialist took a raft of upgrades to the hybrid two seater to improve the driving dynamics and set a quick nordschleife lap.
The AC Schnitzer i8 tackled the north loop of the Nurburgring in 8:19:.80 min. Such a time is respectable rather than blistering – Honda’s Civic Type R spliced together the testing 12.9 miles in 7:43.8. The i8’s efforts put it on par with the original 987 Porsche Cayman S in the course records list.
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The revisions extend to the suspension, wheels and aerodynamics with the intention of focusing the steering and handling. The suspension kit comprises of cut springs all-round that sink the i8 closer to the road by 25mm and 20mm at the front and rear respectively.
AC Schnitzer’s AC1 Lightweight forged alloy wheels replace the factory items. Bigger in diameter – at 21-inch a corner – they accommodate significantly larger tyres. An inch wider, the composite wheels are shod in 245 section tyres at the front and 285 section items at the back, presenting a significantly larger contact patch to the road than the eco-friendly manufacturer equipped rubber.
The Aerodynamic Conversion applies reels of carbon fibre to a multitude of body parts and panels. Just to note a few, the carbon, three-piece rear diffuser, rear-wing and hanch mounted air-outlets all add an air of aggression to the exterior, simultaneously serving a functional aerodynamic purpose too.
> Read our review of the AC Schitzer ACL2
Slide beneath the dihedral doors and the AC Schnitzer touch is present but less pronounced. An aluminum pedal set and footrest brighten up the footwell, as too do the velours foot mats. The iDrive controller and backing panel are also refreshed with an aluminum Black Line cover.
The two-part powertrain remains untouched: a 1.5-litre three-pot producing 227bhp combines with a 129 bhp electric motor, the former drives the rear axle and latter the front. The four-wheel drive system allows the BMW i8 to launch from 0-62mph in 4.4 sec.
