The folks over at GTSpirit got their hands again on European-only vehicle. This time, the AC Schnitzer 99d Concept, an one-off model introduced earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show.
The AC Schnitzer 99d generates only 99g/km CO2 and driving pleasure is guaranteed thanks to 190 hp / 140 kW and 420 Nm of torque. The 99d accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.9 s and has a top speed of 235 km/h. And with a fuel consumption of just 3.8 litres diesel per 100 km.
The engine comes from the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition which has 163 hp in standard format.
The use of lightweight materials such as carbon, magnesium and titanium has managed to drop the weight of the Z4 by 230 kg.
But how does the 99d feel on the road? Let’s have a look.
“Our afternoon inside the 99d left us with a smile. The minute you get behind the wheel of the 99d, you feel that it has been designed to deliver responsive performance. You sit just in front of the rear wheels and you look out over a long hood ready to go. The most interesting part of the whole experience awaits when you turn the key. The sound track is unknown to any Z4 in the world, because a diesel engine erupts under its colorful hood. Up to the moment you turn it off, it will tell you what you are dealing with via a lightweight silencer which produces a moderate growl.
The overall balance of the car has not changed significantly. The 99d feels lighter and more nimble than a stock Z4, but AC Schnitzer did not change anything with respect to the favorable characteristics of the two-seater. The 99d is still a cornering champion, exhibiting little body roll and plenty of grip. There’s no waiting for the rest of the car to make it through the turn because you’re practically sitting at the back of the roadster. The only penalty for this sublime handling is the ride quality that can be quite rough on patched asphalt roads. Comfort is not something you would immediately search for in the 99d, but the ride is far from bumpy or hard. ”
