AC Schnitzer X5 & X6 Falcon

AC Schnitzer has two remarkable peculiarities. The first is rooted in the deep expertise that have in tuning cars, particularly those of the BMW group, their favorite; the second is the fact that unlike the majority of tuners they do not limit themselves to pump the engine of sedans or coupes already powerful with thousands of horsepower, but they are among the first to have gotten their hands on diesel engines, making them better performing and filing the difference there was between a diesel engine and a petrol one. No one can accuse you of being a “stingy” if you show up with an X5 Falcon, because, rightly, the eye wants its part, but without neglecting the ear and the sixth sense, that regards what we feel when we drive a pleasant car, and not just a vehicle of transport which we merely use as a metal box for our journeys home/work.
One of the most popular SUV in the world is the X5 and along with the controversial, that you love it or hate it, have undoubtedly generated excellent profits for the Bavarian brand. So, what better time to take home one of these second hand behemoths, at a good price and then turning ‘em into something that surely will not age as those standard version that fill our streets? AC Schnitzer calls them “Falcon” and the preparations and cosmetic upgrades to the engines of the SUV and the SAV are deeply interesting. White paint for the X5, while the X6 wears black, both wide body kits were presented in late 2008 and 2009 for the diesel versions: both engines more attractive to the majority of customers, the 3.0 turbodiesel (35d for the X6 which therefore has a turbo more). Powers have been significantly increased until obtaining on both models 310 horses, numbers that do not tear the asphalt, but that combined the considerable weight of these two SUVs, helps a lot more than before, also with surprisingly good fuel consumptions. Aesthetically they are even more muscular and especially with the white livery, the massive line does not betray and we understand that we are facing something rather special. 22” alloy wheels for both under extended wheel arches, a new exhaust system that gives a decent sound and an interior only minimally upgraded (floor mats, gear knob for the infotainment and logos of the tuning company).
This is a prime example of how to create something interesting and especially useful, does not need to always stow hundreds and hundreds of horses and turbos under the hood. Plain and simple. When they say “the eye of an eagle” …

Words by Jessica Landi