Wheel set development at AC Schnitzer A few definitions first Wheel/complete wheel = rim including tire Wheel set = 4 wheels xi/xd wheel sets = special wheel sets for all-wheel drive vehicles (xDrive) Mixed tires = tires on the rear axle that are wider than on the front axle All-round tires = tires on the front and rear axles that are the same The wheels have a really important and therefore vital role: they are the postcard-sized connection between the vehicle and the road. They are largely responsible for the acceleration and propulsion as well as for the deceleration - i.e. braking - of your vehicle. This means that the wheels play a key role. Anyone who develops and sells wheels therefore has a great responsibility. We are aware of this responsibility; we have internalized it and implement it in every new development. At AC Schnitzer, we only use high-quality brand tires that are developed in close cooperation with premium tire manufacturers. On the one hand, the tires must transfer the engine's power to the road perfectly, and on the other hand, properties such as braking behavior, lateral guidance, water drainage in the rain and straight-line properties are important decision criteria for or against a tire. A wheel set with wide tires is always an investment in increasing driving safety and dynamics. To ensure that driving comfort is maintained when using larger wheel dimensions, we at AC Schnitzer have actively decided against run-flat tires and in favor of sporty, conventional tires. Conventional tires have less rolling resistance and offer noticeably more comfort. AC Schnitzer is a specialist in mixed tires; i.e. wheel sets in which the wheels on the rear axle are wider than those on the front axle. This makes sense in terms of driving dynamics, because it allows strong drive forces to be transferred and at the same time high steering precision is possible. The wider a tire is, the more power you can put on the road, but at the same time the rolling resistance caused by the tire must not be too high. As this increases the wider a tire is, AC Schnitzer works out wheel dimensions that are balanced. AC Schnitzer develops special wheel and tire combinations for all-wheel drive vehicles, based on the vehicle manufacturer's specifications. You can recognize these AC Schnitzer wheel sets by the "xi/xd" marking. Only those wheel dimensions are developed and approved for all-wheel drive vehicles that are just as gentle on the transfer case as standard wheel sets. All AC Schnitzer wheel sets are coordinated in multi-stage driving tests on the road and on race tracks. The wheels are only approved for sale after successful test runs. All AC Schnitzer wheel sets are delivered fully assembled and balanced. They are subject to a two-year manufacturer's warranty. The scope of delivery includes assembly material, such as adapters and wheel bolts, as well as the parts certificate (except for marked wheel sets for export). Philosophy/Design Generational change in the AC Schnitzer rims Not just the name, but also the design - both indicate the generational change in the rim segment at AC Schnitzer. Although the AC1 rims are designed differently, in one respect they are the successors to their predecessors: they too are intended to become design classics. With the AC1 rims, AC Schnitzer has reinterpreted the classic double spoke. The result is a sporty hybrid look. Towards the rim flange, the sophisticated design creates the tips of triangles, which become wider towards the rim center and are replaced by five trapezoids. These lead the eye directly to the only classic element of the AC1 rim: the 5-cornered hub cap with AC Schnitzer lettering. Despite this multitude of stylistic elements, the design appears tidy and masculine thanks to the very straight lines. All elements work together to give the AC1 wheel solidity and size. - weight-optimized, cast alloy wheels - manufactured using a low-pressure casting process with subsequent heat treatment - open, 5-spoke design in bicolor that allows a clear view of the brakes - raised original AC Schnitzer lettering - the rim is protected against corrosion with high-quality clear varnish, which - guarantees a long service life - basic rim of the AC1 rim family Material Only high-quality aluminum alloys with the specification AlSi7 or AlSi11 are used. Both types of material are additionally heat-treated in the production process, which results in greater strength while reducing weight. Material samples during the production process ensure the consistent and high quality of the material. Production Steps on the way to perfection A high-quality cast blank is the prerequisite for a perfect and long-lasting wheel. AC Schnitzer uses the low-pressure casting process to produce it. The aluminum alloy is pressed into a multi-part casting mold at a pressure of up to 1.2 bar. After cooling to approx. 400 degrees Celsius, the mold is opened and the cast blank is ready for further processing. This takes place in the machine processing and a complex painting process. X-ray checks, leak tests and the use of various measuring methods throughout the entire production process ensure the consistent and high quality of the wheel. Bicolor surface In this process, the wheel is first primed, then completely painted and finally sealed with an acrylic clear coat. Now the surfaces that are later to have a shiny metallic finish are turned. Finally, a two-layer clear coat is applied, which consists of a polyester primer and the acrylic clear coat. Testing procedures/safety After their construction, the first sample rims are manufactured under real production conditions. These must undergo a large number of tests. Among other things, their strength is tested. The bending test simulates the "rim life". Every AC Schnitzer rim must survive this undamaged in order to be produced and sold at all. Vehicle-specific tests, including test installations with clearance measurements and driving tests on public roads and race tracks, follow. Only after these procedures do our rims receive their homologation; i.e. approval to be used on public roads. Wheels are safety-relevant components. That is why they are checked and tested with the greatest care. This begins with initial chemical material tests and ends with tough endurance tests on test machines: - §30 StVZO wheel guidelines - ECE R124 - Bending tests - Impact test 90° - Rolling tests Uniqueness of the wheel set with the AC1 alloy rims - Engineered in Germany - Heat treated - Equipped with the exclusive AC Schnitzer logo - Compatible with the standard RDC system - Rim also available separately - 2-year warranty - Production monitored according to ISO standards - Available in bi-color or black - KDS mounts for wheel alignment according to BMW specifications available