| Concept Preview | Frankfurt Motor Show | AC Schnitzer Profile |

German tuning firms look to be going back to their bad old ways of over-styled cars if AC Schnitzer's new Profile concept is anything to go by. The model, which will be shown at September's Frankfurt Motor Show, is based on BMW's Z4 M Coupé.

The concept features quite a number of modifications, though just try and spot them underneath that wild orange and white paint combination. If you're looking away in disgust then for the record there's the usual body-kit with wider wheelarches, deeper front and rear bumpers and a plain weird roof mounted mini-wing. Some of the more subtle elements - like the BMW 507 Roadster inspired wing vents - work a bit better, but really, we'd forget about changing the already dramatic looks of the Z4 M Coupé and concentrate on the technical revisions.

Power for the epic 3.2-litre straight-six has been raised marginally to 350bhp (up from 343bhp) by remapping the ECU and fitting a new 'active breathing' air box. There's also a new exhaust system.

Helping increase the Z4 M Coupé's sprinting ability is a revised rear axle ratio and short-shift kit on the six-speeder, which should allow the Profile to sprint to 62mph in less than 5 seconds. Impressive.

AC Schnitzer has also developed a new suspension package for the Z4; though fingers crossed it's not as uncompromising as the existing BMW set up. We seriously doubt that given the 20-inch wheels on the show car. Inside there are the obligatory go-faster details like race seats, carbon and aluminium trim details. There's no mention of it yet, but expect elements of the Profile concept to be available from AC Schnitzer outlets soon. Just whatever you do don't buy that ridiculous wing. Or ask for orange...

Kyle Fortune - 9 Aug 2007