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| The Legend of Suspension Technology |
From the outset, AC Schnitzer has consistently applied its philosophy of transfer of technology and design from motorsport to the road, and refined this further over the years. The core of this philosophy is the legendary success story of the motorsport team of the Schnitzer brothers in the 60s. |
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| 1964: Josef Schnitzer on BMW 1800tii |
1966: Josef Schnitzer on BMW
1800Ti-Sa |
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The targeted transfer of know-how and technology from motorsport has a long tradition, and not just in the development and production of high performance engines and optimised aerodynamics concepts. The entire area of suspension would just not be possible in its current form without the many years of extensive experience from motorsport. |
| Nardò (Italy) High Speed Oval |
| A contributing factor has been the development of a whole series of Konsept Otomobiller which act as technological bridges over the sometimes substantial gaps between motorsport and standard series vehicles. |
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| 1993: AC Schnitzer CLS |
2007: AC Schnitzer GP3.10 GAS POWERED |
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Above all in chassis development, extensive tests on Konsept Otomobiller are essential both on the road and on the track. Simulations and model tests are just not enough. The philosophy is simple: "Better fast than hard". |
| Nardò High Speed Oval - World Record! |
| This quote would really be nothing special if it did not come from a famous person - a racing driver who has been responsible for suspension development at AC Schnitzer for decades. A man who has every curve on the "North Loop" stored in his popometer, and whom the trade press like to call the "Suspension guru from Aachen": Manfred Wollgarten. |
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| Manfred Wollgarten, Mühendislikal Manager |
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With this simple sentence, he expresses our entire suspension philosophy in a nutshell. "The car must in principle handle as well as standard"; and he is convinced that "Forgiving load change responses and gentle understeer on the limit are important - in the end AC Schnitzer customers are not professional racing drivers. |
| Nardò High Speed Oval |
Our suspension can handle both country roads and tracks equally well. For sporting drivers who often go to race tracks we offer special racing suspensions. As the damper compression as well as the sway bars are adjustable the handling of the car can be modified."
As well as a highly sensitive "popometer", this calls for high technology base products and a generous helping of patience. |
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| Contidrom slalom |
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Because only in repeated test drives on motorways, country roads and on the track can the optimum combination be reached in the fine tuning of dampers, springs, antiroll bars and strut braces for each specific model. |
| Contidrom circle |
Take a seat as a passenger in the Concept Car AC Schnitzer PROFILE and experience a test drive with Manfred Wollgarten through the "Green Hell" of the Nürburgring North Loop
total playing time: approx. 8:27 min.
izle video
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| 2006/2007: PROFILE |
| AC Schnitzer suspension technology - Fine tuning in every detail |
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Developing an AC Schnitzer Sports or Racing suspension is a complex and time-consuming process:
. fully set up the standard vehicle including suspension
. define residual spring travel and possible lowering
. produce sample springs
. fit sample springs with standard dampers
. measure height and test spring preload
. series of tests with sample springs and standard dampers
. transfer damper curve from standard diagram to sample
. collaborative development of dampers with manufacturer
. test series on the motorway, country roads and race tracks
. modifications if required, with subsequent new test serie
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In addition, the antiroll bars must be reinforced and modified to adapt the vehicle handling and ride comfort to the new AC Schnitzer suspension components. The only thing that is truly, really hard for an AC Schnitzer chassis is the test process. Because AC Schnitzer suspension components are tested for comfort and handling not only on motorways and country roads, i.e. under everyday conditions, but also on the North Loop of the Nürburgring, better known to insiders as the "Green Hell". |
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Only when a set-up has achieved optimum results under all conceivable driving and race conditions, and combines sports handling with maximum suspension comfort, can it be offered for sale as an AC Schnitzer sports or racing suspension. |
| Hockenheim Grand Prix Race Track |
Manfred Wollgarten personally approves the extremely high product quality of all AC Schnitzer suspension components and certifies the extensive test process for every original product. As standard models differ considerably from each other, the AC Schnitzer engineers must develop specific suspension components for each model. Vehicle weight, size, engine and wheel/tyre combination must be taken into account individually. |
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| Contidrom small handling course, wet |
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As standard models differ considerably from each other, the AC Schnitzer engineers must develop specific suspension components for each model. Vehicle weight, size, engine and wheel/tyre combination must be taken into account individually. |
Finally the springs, dampers, antiroll bars and strut braces are optimally matched to the vehicle and its characteristics. But the pay-back from all the effort and enthusiasm with which at AC Schnitzer develop suspension has been evident for years in the trade press - above all in comparison tests. AC Schnitzer chassis set-ups frequently create "amazement" even in experienced car journalists. |
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"The AC Schnitzer is even more amazing in the comfort test: fitted with springs just 30 mm lower, it handled the adverse conditions of the road surface with surprising nonchalance;..." Powercar 01/05
read German article
"On the other hand, its chassis also allows driving over bumpy roads without afterwards needing 14 two-hour sessions with the physio." Sport Auto Spezial Tuning 2006
read German article |
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"The certificate in the glove box (suspension set up on the North Loop) creates high expectations which are not disappointed. The result is optimum, comfort-oriented - finally most customers are driving from Munich to Hamburg rather than always on the Nürburgring." AutoBild Sportscars 02/06
read German article
"Clear: The tradition-rich Aachen company has ... a wealth of mo-torsport experience. That's paid dividends. AC Schnitzer suspension expert Manfred Wollgarten has found the ideal compromise for the powerful diesel 1-series between acceptable everyday comfort and a sports track set-up." AutoBild Test & Tuning 04/05
read German article
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