AC Schnitzer shows the BMW i4 as a futuristic police car. The BMW i4 M50 seems like one of the most exciting new luxury EVs on sale. Marking the start of BMW taking the EV seriously after the half-hearted i3 and i8, the i4 effectively will take over from the 3 Series as the everyman's aspirational luxury workhorse of the BMW range. With it not only will many start pining for it, but these cars will find their way into the hands of Police worldwide. For decades the entry-level 320d made up the fleet of many a European police fleet. Balancing cost, reliability, and performance somewhat perfectly.
According to Hastings Direct, an insurer, "Statistics show drivers who've modified their car's performance are more likely to crash, while cars with cosmetic changes are more appealing to thieves". In other words, the customers of AC Schnitzer are most likely to get into trouble on the road. In a frequent collaborative campaign with German authorities TUNE IT! SAFE! returns with the 2022 BMW i4 center stage. Applying AC Schnitzer's usual array of BMW specific performance trinkets to the model along with a Polizei livery the tuner aims to build ties with Police and encourage their customers to behave on the road.
The German tuner shows us what the electric police car of the future looks like.
The AC Schnitzer i4 Is Faster Than Police Allow
AC Schnitzer offers a range of after-market parts for BMW's models. A long-standing name in the BMW scene the German tuner offers both performance and aesthetic upgrades. Think like the M Performance division but with a little flair. Say you've got a new BMW i4 and you want to stand out a little in the company car park, AC Schnitzer should act as the first port of call. Subtle upgrades with sporting air to them. Now obviously as a tuner in the BMW scene, where rear wheel-driven antics frequently lead to crashes, driving bans, and traffic tickets, the tuner could easily look a little anti-social.
The company has a long-standing relationship with the German Polizei. Their campaign TUNE IT! SAFE! started over a decade ago with the Electric Police Mini. According to AC Schnitzer, the campaign finds support from the "Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Germany". The project aims to "draw attention to safe tuning and to show what is possible in tuning" without breaking the law. In other words just because you bought some carbon fiber canards, a rear spoiler, and a mild ECU tune, you can still follow the speed limit and stop at traffic lights.
Previously, AC Schnitzer has built Police liveried versions of the BMW 850i, 428i, and even a 123d.
The AC Schnitzer BMW i4 M50 Makes The Perfect Police Car
This year's partnership turns the tuner's attention to the BMW i4 M50. The tuners write that " The all-electric BMW i4 by AC Schnitzer fulfills all the requirements for a dynamic, powerful, and sporty appearance while at the same time complying with regulations and taking sustainability aspects into account".
One of the latest additions to the BMW range the i4 for most won't stir their soul. Legacy models like the M3 and M5 still find gearheads reaching for their wallets. However, the i4 M50 offers the aesthetics of the current M4, the practicality of the 3 Series, and the performance to match the naturally aspirated M cars. With a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds from a 400 horsepower battery, the i4 will still lag behind a Tesla but it's more than enough for most. For policing purposes, the 300+ mile range and instant torque mean this might just be the perfect car for Autobahn Police.
The BMW i4 M50 by AC Schnitzer Has An Intimidating Presence
As usual for a vehicle from AC Schnitzer, the Polizei BMW i4 M50 has an added air of intimidation, the perfect look for the Police. The bodywork through the addition of a front spoiler, splitter, side wings, and roof spoiler all increase the amount of downforce. So not only does the car look meaner and more authoritative, but in those high-speed pursuits it can stick to the road a bit better.
It's not all about aerodynamics and tuning for AC Schnitzer. The AC Schnitzer suspension spring kit lowers the car by 2-2.5cm. Lower and stiffer the electric performance sedan can corner flatter and keep up with the villains of the road. According to the tuner, this suspension saw testing on the North Loop of the Núrburgring.
While not the most practical for Police Officers, AC Schnitzer fit the car with 20-inch rims in a rather modern-looking BiColor Silver and Black. This modern theme continues in the interior, not only because the car as an electric BMW has all the touch screens and luxuries that modern BMW affords its customers. AC Schnitzer adds the occasional extra dash of aluminum. Lifting the overall feel of the BMW to a lighter tone. Perfect for spending long shifts camping out waiting for those criminals.