While the Volkswagen diesel scandal has cast a cloud over diesel engines as a whole, it’s not like the engine technology is going to fade away. If anything, we’re experiencing something of a diesel engine renaissance, with smaller and thriftier engines delivering better performance than ever before. Once you enter the high end of the market, diesel motors can make awe-inspiring torque numbers, turning any car into a tire-shredder.
So why not the BMW 1 Series hatchback? It’s not a car we get here in the U.S., but over in Europe it’s an entry-level unit that’s the lightest of the Bavarian brand. German tuner AC Schnitzer took that cheap little hatchback and crammed the 3.0-liter triturbo diesel straight-six from the 550d into the engine bay. Tuned to make 400 horsepower and 591 lb-ft of low-end torque in the tiny Bimmer, AC Schnitzer has created a hot hatch that can rocket from 0 to 62 MPH in 4.5 seconds. There aren’t any diesels, or hatchbacks, that can match that pace.
The modifications don’t end there either, as befitting an insane creation such as this. The suspension was completely reworked to provide a sportier driving experience, in addition to handling the added bulk of the straight-six engine. A new body kit with three oversized air dams feed the huge radiator and intercooler, with a carbon fiber roof spoiler, side skirts, and 20-inch wheels, though the tuner also offers more subdued 19 and 18-inch options. The interior gets a more basic upgrade with things like aluminum driving pedals and cover for the iDrive controller.
It’s not like anybody is going to pay attention to the interior details as you’re blasting off to the triple-turbo score of a diesel straight six.
You might also like
ODSS Round #3: Hollyrock Customs Summer Diesel Showdown
This could be the biggest weekend in diesel drag racing history. The perfect facility, perfect surface, perfect passes? Will we see a 3-second 1/8th-mile pass?
