Sports Car Blog

Driving pleasure has been written large at AC Schnitzer for 20 years. And happily, nothing will change for the 62nd IAA. But this goal can be reached in a totally alternative way, as the launch of the superb AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED shows. This high-performance coupé has LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) drive, where power and efficiency, economy and ecology, meet in an exciting study.

As if the extravagant exterior of the project vehicle, based on the current 3-series coupé, were not enough, under the bonnet growls the V10 engine of the current M5/M6 which AC Schnitzer is presenting at the show for the first time in bivalent design: The vehicle has a fully sequential LPG system with two parallel 5-cylinder vaporizers.

There’s no loss of power or dynamics. The engine, tuned with a remapped control unit and modified exhaust tract with sports catalyst and exhaust manifold, develops 552 HP/406 kW and produces up to 540 Nm at the crankshaft. In itself, that’s 45 horses more than the M5/M6.

But why power this with LPG? Liquified Petroleum Gas is a sensible alternative to normal petrol fuel, both economically and ecologically, and after corresponding conversion can be burned in almost any petrol engine. Per litre, LPG is not only cheaper than petrol but produces around 15 percent less CO2 from the exhaust. With over 2700 filling stations in Germany alone, fuel supplies are guaranteed everywhere, and the 80 litre gas tank fits on board with the original 60 litre petrol tank. So you can switch between fuels at any time. In any case, acceleration is more than just acceptable.

The sprint to 100 km/h takes 4.5 seconds, and the 200 mark is passed after just 13.9 seconds. Only at 320 km/h does the pressure on your back begin to ease. Nimble enough to show the rear lights to many powerful sports cars.

Brakes

And to match the power of the acceleration, there’s the brakes on the AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED: At the front, 8-pot fixed calliper brakes with perforated and vented discs size 374 x 36 mm, at the rear a 4-pot brake system with 350 x 24 mm discs.

The Suspension Technology

Traction alone isn’t everything, and the dynamics are supported by a height adjustable racing suspension with its heritage, set up in the Green Hell of the Nürburgring. In addition the special sway bar set is responsible for even more driving stability.

The Bodywork

The striking body design will soon bring passers-by to a stop. In conjunction with the mineral green special paintwork, the AC Schnitzer aerodynamic kit is a real eyecatcher.

The air intakes on the front wings, with their characteristic chrome ribs, and the rear 60 mm wheelarch extensions, are particularly successful.

The rear styling with its special contours and the rear skirt with integral diffuser, the rear roof wing with carbon centre part, are as aesthetically pleasing as the powerful front skirt with its coarse-mesh sports grille.

The latter makes an effective contribution to the breathing of the oxygen-hungry five-litre engine.

The Interior

AC Schnitzer has created a feast for all the senses with the GP3.10 GAS POWERED, which does not stop in the interior:

The interior of the AC Schnitzer PROFILE is a combination of developments from the AC Schnitzer range which are available for many BMW models, and special one-off products. In detail:

- 3-spoke sports airbag steering wheel ‘Evo’ Nappa leather

- interior of bicolor leather, Nappa-Nubuk combination

- interior panels painted in mineral green

- instrument display with speedometer up to 330 km/h

- racing seats

- aluminium pedal set and foot rest

- aluminium handbrake handle and aluminium cover for i-Drive-System, black eloxed

- floor mats with GP 3.10 logo

The Wheels

For both acceleration and deceleration, it is the wheels which are permanently under full load in all manoeuvres.

Equally breathtaking for the spectator is the first sight of the racing rims Type VI. The latest creation from the Aachen wheel manufacturer combines the classic Y-spoke appearance with five striking hollow spokes and bicolor finish. Naturally these decorative elements are not just available for the AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED.

The AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED is equipped with a wheel/tyre combination in:

# front: 9,0J x 20′ with tyres 245/30 ZR 20

# rear: 11,5J x 20′ with tyres 315/25 ZR 20

AC Schnitzer recommends high performance tyres from Continental and Michelin.

Specifications

The new Ferrari 430 Scuderia will join the road-going V8 line-up alongside the F430 coup and the F430 Spider. The 430 Scuderia is a truly high-performance 2-seater berlinetta which demonstrates how Ferrari’s Formula 1 know-how is carried across to its production cars.

The 430 Scuderia will be officially unveiled by Michael Schumacher at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt in September 2007.

Rumors surrounding a million dollar hypercar modeled after fighter planes turned out to be true when Lamborghini and the Volkswagen Group revealed the Reventon on Monday evening before the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The car was previewed even earlier over the Monterey weekend at a Santa Monica Airport where potential owners saw a 1/4 scale model and a quick video. $100 000 deposits rolled in and the Reventon was sold out before most knew it even existed.

Now, after the official debut in Frankfurt, immediate reactions are mixed. The Reventon is the most outrageous Lamborghini and some say the styling has gone to far. But that’s fine since a limited production of only 20 examples will be made.

Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini SpA said ”It’s the most powerful and expensive Lamborghini ever built.” He’s referring to the Reventon’s Murcielago LP640 underpinnings which have not been upgraded, so it retains the 640 BHP V12 engine that powers all four wheels.

Upon first glance, the Reventon is a strong mix of acute and obtuse angles that mimic the Murcielago lines in a whole new and more frantic way. Both the front intakes and rear cluster surrounds have been extended which give the car a batmobile appearance. The bodywork is limited to a special color called Grey Barra, a near-flat hue that fits with the Reventon’s aeronautical inspirations.

Inside, the cabin is completely new with fighter-plane style gauges and a two-tone Alcantara interior. Lamborghini fit three TFT liquid crystal displays that can replay a multitude of customizable electronic instruments. One is the G-Force-Meter that gives the drive forces, longitudinal acceleration and braking within a topical sphere.

At one million euros, the Reventon is a tough purchase. It’s hard to justify a 700 000 EUR price increase over the standard LP640. This leaves the car’s desire in extreme exclusivity and over-the-top outrageousness. It’s a megalomaniacal supercar that will become the ultimate Murcielago.

Specifications