AC Schnitzer BMW M5 Sets Sachsenring Lap Record

1:31.71 is four seconds faster than any sedan has ever gone round the track.

When it comes to setting lap records, most tend to focus on the Nürburgring. But that's not the only track in the world. And it's not the only track in Germany. Known as one of the foremost tuners of BMWs, AC Schnitzer brought the M5 it's been working on to the Sachsenring, way on the other side of the country, and wasted little time before breaking the lap record for four-door sedans. Touring-car racer J?rg Müller hustled the lightly modified super-sedan around the 2.3-mile circuit in 1:31.71.

That's four seconds quicker, according to the tuner, than any four-door sedan has ever lapped the track before. And it's not about to call it quits there. While the M5 it took the track was fitted with a fiberglass aero kit, AC Schnitzer is working on a carbon-fiber version that'll be even lighter.

It has a full range of wheels on offer, ranging up to 21 inches in diameter. And it has some engine mods in the works that'll boost output from 600 horsepower up to 700. A great car: really fast, super sporty, yet comfortable and absolutely suitable for everyday use! The M5 by AC Schnitzer really has everything I could wish for in a car,” said Müller. “And this one looks good, too.” He knows a thing or two about fast BMWs, having won the GT-class title in the American Le Mans Series behind the wheel of an M3 GTR, along with more race wins with the 320i in the European and World Touring Car Championships (to say nothing of the various formula titles he accrued earlier in his career).

Watch The BMW M2 Competition Set Another Bizarre World Record

It’s certainly an unusual way to demonstrate a car’s agility.

BMW’s new marketing campaign for the M2 Competition is certainly unusual. To demonstrate the car’s agility and handling, the Bavarian automaker has set out to break several world records previously set by humans. In the last stunt, the M2 Competition successfully popped 79 balloons in under 60 seconds with a laser beam. This time, the M2 Competition was brought to Cape Town, South Africa, to try and beat a previous record by cutting more than 87 straw mats with a blade.

“This is a very tricky bit of driving, it is virtually impossible,” stunt coordinator Marc Higgins explained. “The demands on the BMW M2 Competition are immense. Every drift has to be performed with absolute precision; there is no room for error. A strong presence and agility naturally help a lot.” Director Oison Tymon confirmed the performance coupe shattered the previous record, successfully cutting 117 bamboo mats in under a minute.

The rolled-up bamboo mats were arranged in semi-circles so that they could be cut while drifting using a precision blade attached to the rear of the car. Apart from the addition of the blade, the M2 Competition was left completely stock to perform the stunt and features the same technology as the series-production vehicle including two selector switches that allow drivers to adjust the engine, steering and Drivelogic functions.

Power is provided by the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six engine used in the M3 and M4 tuned to deliver 405 hp and 406 lb-ft, enabling the performance coupe to hit 0-62 mph in four seconds.

Watch The BMW M2 Competition Set A Bizarre World Record Popping Balloons

That’s one way to demonstrate a car’s agility.

A few weeks ago, BMW released a mysterious teaser video suggesting the BMW M2 Competition had set a new world record. The full video has now been released, and it’s probably not what you were expecting. Rather than attempting a traditional speed record, BMW used the M2 Competition to break a balloon-popping record previously set by a human. The previous world record-holder popped 63 balloons in just 60 seconds. Using a laser attached to the grille, the M2 Competition beat this record by popping 79 balloons in just under a minute. Watching the performance car pop balloons while dancing around the illuminated purpose-built track shaped like an M badge creates a dazzling spectacle and is fun to watch, even if it’s hardly pushing the car’s 450-hp engine to its limit.

Of course, the publicity stunt was designed to demonstrate the M2 Competition’s astonishing agility. Despite the manual version weighing 3,600 pounds and the automatic weighing 3,655 lbs, the car can attack corners ferociously fast. The record stunt was performed in what looks like an old warehouse located close to Bedford in the UK. It’s owned by Cardington Studios and is “one of the largest and most impressive interior film and TV production spaces in Europe.”

In the US, the M2 Competition is currently on sale with a starting price of $58,900, which is only $4,000 more than the regular M2. For that price, you get an M4-sourced, twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine that sends 405 hp to the rear wheels, up from 365 hp in the standard M2. 0-62 mph takes just four seconds before the car tops out at an electronically limited 155 mph. Other enhancements include carbon high-precision struts, sharper steering, and larger twin kidney grilles to improve the airflow.

This isn’t the only world record BMW’s M division set this year. Back in January, the Bavarian automaker successfully drifted 232.5 miles without stopping in an M5 that had to be refueled five times.

Bentley Bentayga Celebrates Pikes Peak Record With Limited Edition Model

A new limited-edition model announced to celebrate the Bentayga’s record run.

Volkswagen wasn’t the only automaker that set a Pikes Peak record last weekend. While the incredible I.D. R became the fastest electric vehicle to ever conquer the challenging circuit, the Bentley Bentayga claimed the production SUV record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Driven by two-time champion Rhys Millen, the Bentayga completed the 12.42-mile course in just ten minutes and 49.9 seconds, beating the previous record by nearly two minutes and averaging 66.5 mph.

For an SUV weighing two tons, that’s an impressive achievement. Bentley attributes the Bentayga’s 600-hp W12 engine, adaptive air suspension, active electric 48V anti-roll control and carbon ceramic brakes for helping it achieve the record. What’s more impressive is that minimal modifications were made to the standard production Bentayga to comply with regulations. Racing seats were fitted, the rear seats were removed, and a roll cage and fire suppression system were installed. Pirelli tires, an Akrapovic exhaust, and an optional Styling Specification Kit available to customers, which comes with a carbon fiber front splitter, diffuser, side skirts, and rear spoiler, was also fitted.

Other than that, the Pikes Peak car is a standard production Bentayga, finished in Radium Satin paint. “This record proves the outstanding dynamic ability of the Bentayga – demonstrating again how Bentley Motors is the only automotive company in the world that can combine pinnacle luxury and breath-taking performance. Congratulations to all at Bentley Motorsport and to Rhys Millen and his team,” said Chris Craft, Bentley’s Board for Sales & Marketing. “What an incredible machine. To take a luxury SUV with minimal modifications and be able to drive up this course in under 11 minutes is a huge testament to the performance and level of engineering in the Bentayga,” said driver Rhys Millen.

“I had a great run – the car was planted all the way up and gave me the confidence I needed to push hard. I’m delighted to take the SUV record for Bentley and for everyone that’s been involved in this project.” To celebrate the record run, Bentley is launching a new limited-edition Pikes Peak Bentayga. Created by Bentley’s in-house bespoke and coachbuilding division Mulliner and limited to just ten examples, the exterior is finished either in deep Beluga black paint or striking Radium, and rides on 22-inch wheels in a bespoke two-tone finish of Beluga with Radium accents.

It also includes the Black Specification, which replaces all exterior chrome with gloss black components and adds a carbon fiber splitter, side skirts, diffuser and rear spoiler. A subtle Pikes Peak motif adorns the front fenders. Inside, the limited edition Bentayga mixes Key Lime accents with Beluga leather, with Alcantara inserts to the seats and doors. The steering wheel and gear lever are also trimmed in Alcantara, and the headlining is technical Eliade cloth. A Pikes Peak logo adorns the carbon fiber fascias, and numbered Pikes Peak treadplates complete the interior.

Under the hood, the Pikes Peak Bentayga features the same 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 delivering 600 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque as the standard version. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but US and European customers will be available to order the Pikes Peak Bentayga in August.