BMW M3 tuned by AC Schnitzer is the most powerful 3 Series ever

German tuning company AC Schnitzer has turned its attention to the latest BMW M3.

Producing the most powerful 3 Series ever, AC Schnitzer took the M3 Competition as its base and tweaked almost every part of the sedan – from extracting more from the inline six engine, to putting its own twist on the vehicle's exterior styling.

Under the bonnet is the standard car's S58B30T0 straight-six, twin-turbo engine, now delivering a bigger punch thanks to a more aggressive tune and revised exhaust system – bumping up outputs to 434kW and 750Nm, an increase of 59kW and 100Nm respectively.

11

Rather than using the sure-footed, all-wheel drive Competition xDrive, the AC Schnitzer sends all its power to the back axle through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, putting the 295 section rear tyres under pressure to keep the car under control.

At 20x10J inches all round, the AC3 forged wheels are available in silver and anthracite, shod in 285/30 and 295/30 rubber at the front and back respectively.

11

Riding on RS coilovers, the AC Schnitzer M3 can be dropped by up to 20mm lower than the standard M3 at the front, while the shocks can also be adjusted to fine-tune compression and rebound rates.

Although the cosmetic changes might seem like they're just there for show, combined they add as much as 120 kilograms of downforce over an M3 Competition. The front splitter produces 40kg of downforce at 200km/h, the roof spoiler contributes an additional 20kg and the combination of rear wing and diffuser accounts for an extra 70kg.

11

Inside the cabin, most aspects of the M3's interior remain unchanged apart from the steering wheel, a custom job made by AC Schnitzer, wrapped in black Nappa leather and Alcantara – with larger paddles behind to allow drivers to bang up or down the 'box.

Although AC Schnitzer has not yet released a price for its tuned M3 Comp, it will offer a four-year warranty in some markets, providing owners with peace of mind when they put the right foot down.