i8 Coupe

Make
BMW
Segment
Coupe

After previewing its performance modifications for the BMW 8 Series Coupe, German tuner AC Schnitzer has created a custom cop car for the Tune it! Safe! Campaign, which aims to "combat illegal and unsafe tuning with a nationwide campaign." Every year, a German aftermarket tuner is selected to create a police-themed vehicle for the campaign.

This year, AC Schnitzer chose to convert the BMW i8 sports car into a police car we would happily pull over for. Currently on display at the Essen Motor Show, the hybrid police cruiser will be shown at events, trade fairs and tuning events for the next year.

The BMW i8 police car has received a host of modifications. To start with, AC Schnitzer has lowered the car by 20 mm on the front and rear axles, bringing it much closer to the ground than the production vehicle to increase the cornering stability. This makes it perfectly equipped for chasing criminals in high-speed police pursuits, so it's a shame it won't be used as a real police car.

21-inch lightweight forged wheels and an aerodynamic carbon body kit, which includes front spoiler elements, a front spoiler, a hood top, and front side wings, also make the car lighter. There's also carbon side skirts and a three-part carbon rear diffuser providing extra downforce.

Rounding off the exterior changes are carbon door handles and mirror covers, along with flashing police lights and a German police livery. Inside, the BMW i8 cop car features aluminium shift paddles and pedals, as well as an aluminium cover for the iDrive System Controller.

There's no word on any performance upgrades, but the stock BMW i8 is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that delivers 228 hp, and a 141-hp electric motor, producing a combined output of 369 hp. That's enough to propel it from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 155 mph.