Driver's Notebook: Surface Tension
October 1, 2007
Under normal circumstances,
putting a concept car in your garage means commissioning a custom knock-off from
your favorite coachbuilder (see Desert Stormer). But admirers
of the Tension show car—built by AC Schnitzer for the 2005 Frankfurt
International Motor Show—are in luck. The German aftermarket tuner plans a
limited run of 50 "Street Version" variants that feature coachwork inspired by
the original Tension.
Using a BMW M6 or 650i as a platform, the Tension "Street
Version" comprises several exterior components to refashion Chris Bangle’s
controversially flamboyant design into something even more outrageous. Many of
the styling elements also enhance functionality: The new grille and chrome
air-duct bonnet on the hood, for instance, increase airflow to the engine, while
mesh vents on the side skirts cool the rear brakes. An optional AC Schnitzer
sports suspension lowers ride height by about an inch and a half, trading a
measure of ride comfort for improved handling and a more aggressive stance.
Interior Schnitzer touches include custom pedals, a host of carbon-fiber trim
and a new, brushed aluminum iDrive ornament. The specification also includes a
numbered placard on the center console and "Street Version" racing decals in
place of the old M6 badges.
Three days behind the wheel of number four of 50 and one thing
is clear: The AC Schnitzer Tension "Street Version" attracts a lot of interest
from passersby on Los Angeles roads. While the BMW M6 is relatively discreet in
areas where Bentley Continental GTs and Mercedes S-Classes crowd the streets,
the Tension screams for attention with its two-tone paint scheme and radical
shape.
Even the car’s subtler details can cause double takes. The gap between the
trunk-boot and rear fenders, for example, measures nearly a half an inch in
places—an exaggerated design element that is a significant deviation from the
standard body panel gap of a few millimeters. "The trunk is completely sealed,"
says Victor Carillo, spokesperson for CEC, the official U.S. importer. "The gap is there for effect." To
further accentuate the reconfigured rear end, a new stainless steel exhaust
system with specialized chrome tips is incorporated into the carbon-fiber
diffuser on the back bumper.
However, AC Schnitzer did not spend all of its development time
on appearances alone, as an 11-month testing phase was implemented in order to
convert the original concept car into the limited-production road-going vehicle.
The new lowered sport suspension setup, for instance, may pose some difficulty
when cresting steep driveways, but it also provides the driver a better feel for
the road. The Tension takes corners with ease on custom-fitted 20-inch AC
Schnitzer Type V forged alloy wheels and BMW’s impressive steering response is
only enhanced by the handling modifications. And those who prefer the Sequential
Manual Gearbox (SMG) will not have to worry about acclimating to a new shifting
system, because BMW’s love-it or hate-it SMG transmission remains unchanged for
the Schnitzer-tuned M6.
Although the "Street Version" does not include the show car’s
engine improvements—which boost power to 552 hp and top speed to 206 mph—owners
of the shark-nosed car can purchase the upgrade for an additional $29,000.
Upgrades are offered on 2004 model year 6-series and newer, and can be purchased
through CEC tuning centers and showrooms in Southern California and Miami.
The AC Schnitzer "Street Version" package adds $53,000 to the
price of a new M6 ($99,100) or 650i ($74,700) and can now be fitted to the M6
convertible ($104,900) for a cost of $51,000; the trunk modification is not
included for the convertible conversion. To add Tension to your life, make an
inquiry soon—only 25 will be sold stateside.
AC Schnitzer, www.acschnitzer.com
CEC, www.cecwheels.com
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