Luxury cars that are most likely to be stolen

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, every 25.5 seconds, a car is stolen in the US. Car theft is the costliest property crime in America, costing more than $8.6 billion annually. So you must be wondering what is the number 1 most stolen car in the United States? Well it’s Caddy’s big daddy, the Cadillac Escalade EXT. While the new revamped Escalade is growing in sales, with sales up 36 percent in the first-quarter, the Escalade’s popularity is also being measured by its theft loss rate with 1,728 stolen.

AC Schnitzer Tuning Program for BMW Z4 (E89)

Under the hood, Schnitzer upgraded the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine (sDrive35i) so it now produces 360 hp. Thanks to the extra 60 hp, the Z4 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 286 km/h (178 mph).

Other performance modifications include a stainless steel sport exhaust system (with chromed 'racing' tailpipes) and a revised suspension.

To enhance the Z4's good looks, Schnitzer added an aerodynamic body kit with a new front spoiler, a chrome grille, aggressive front fenders (with integrated air vents), and a two-piece rear spoiler. The styling can be further accented by a wide variety of custom AC Schnitzer wheels available in 18, 19 or 20 inches.

Inside, the company adds an aluminum cover for the iDrive controller and an aluminum pedal set.

BMW M3 E92 V10 by Manhart Racing

As the lengthy name implies, Manhart has shoehorned the M5/M6's 5.0-liter V10 engine into a M3 coupe. The company didn't stop there as they removed the speed limiter and added a seven-speed SMG gearbox, a DME steering system, and a titanium exhaust with four 84mm (3.3") tailpipes. Thanks to all these modifications, the 550 hp M3 V10 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds before topping out at 334 km/h (208 mph).

In terms of styling, Manhart outfitted the car with new front and rear spoilers, a rear diffuser, a Bilstein coilover suspension, and 20-inch BBS 'Challenge R' wheels. Inside, the company added carbon fiber trim, alcantara and leather upholstery, and a new steering wheel "with illuminated rocker switches, ¼ mile and side acceleration displays."

Hamann Tycoon EVO Based on BMW X6

Way back in January tuner HAMANN unveiled a new TYCOON wide body kit for the BMW X6. For the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show the company will showcase the latest version of this model called the TYCOON EVO. Visual differences with its predecessor include new front wings, LED daytime running lights and side skirts that widen the body by 60mm.

The rear is dominated by the new sporty exhaust system with its centre double tailpipes. HAMANN promises that its sound is particularly throaty for exceptional aural pleasantries. In its vicinity are back wing extensions and a roof spoiler. Fitted to keep it on tar are special ultra-forged and polished 23-inch wheels wearing 315/25 R 23 size rubber.

No HAMANN car is complete without the engineers delving deep under the belly to unearth something more potent than what the factory offers. At the bottom of the petrol range is the xDrive35i which normally has a healthy 225kW (306hp) and 400Nm. This has been increased to 265kW (360hp) and 540Nm respectively. As such, the speed limit increases to 275km/h (171mph).

The diesel derived from the xDrive30d which usually has 173kW (235hp) and 520Nm, now has 195kW (265hp) and a flying 600Nm of torque. The second diesel motor from the xDrive35d has had its power and torque increased to 235kW (320hp) and torque to 660Nm from an early 2,000rpm.

At the top end is the xDrive50i-based V8 which has been convinced to churn out 368kW (500hp) at 5,600rpm and 700Nm of torque. It will almost hit 300km/h (186mph) if left unchecked.

HAMANN will kit out the interior with such things as a three-spoke steering wheel, aluminum foot pedals and lots of carbon fibre pieces.

Hartge Reveals BMW M3 Aerodynamic kit

Previously tuning house HARTGE had released a full range of accessories for the BMW M3 that include aluminium pedals, an aluminium handbrake handle and HARTGE gear knob. A new range of exterior accessories is now available from HARTGE.

Listed are a front spoiler lip, carbon add-ons for the front spoiler lip, and side sills for both right and left rear. This applies to both the coupe (codename E92) and convertible (E93). A rear diffuser and a lip for the boot lid are also offered but only for the M3 sedan and coupe, not for the convertible. The exterior side mirrors get a set of carbon casings. Side profile pictures are not available at this point.

The current BMW M3 comes only in three body types; a coupe, a convertible and a sedan. There's no word on a Touring wagon version. It uses a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8 engine to produce 420hp (309kW) and 400Nm of torque.

Hamann BMW X6 TYCOON Widebody

German tuners Hamann Motorsport has just released their BMW X6 Tycoon to the public. Featuring a new body, restyling, and serious performance upgrades shows the full potential of BMW's crossover SUV.

Currently, customers get a choice between the BMW X6 xDrive35i, which comes with a 306 horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six, the BMW xDrive30d and its 235 hp 3.0-liter straight-six diesel, or the xDrive35d, which has a 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder getting 286 hp. Horsepower for the three is bumped up significantly, reaching 360 hp on the petrol. The two diesels see increases to 261hp and 316hp respectively.

Torque output sees substantial gains, rising by 140 Nm to 540 Nm on the 35i model, by 80 Nm to 600 Nm on the xDrive30d, and from 580 Nm to 660 Nm on the 35d.

Hamann is also working on a performance kit for the top-of-the-line BMW X6 xDrive50i. Currently, that car is rated at an impressive 407 hp and 600 Nm of torque, generated by its 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo.

Hamann's design team put together a body kit for the car meant to give the car a more muscular stance. The package is highlighted by new front wings, and a rear wing extension, all made out of a lightweight composite material. A new apron with large air intakes, and LED daytime running lights round out the front. Wrapping up the back is a three-part diffuser, a rear spoiler, and a roof spoiler.

Hamann uses their Design edition Race Anodized 23-inch rims on the car, wrapped in 315/25 r23 tyres. An ultralight wheel, it is paired with "special chassis springs" and "progressively coiled springs" to lower the crossover by 40 mm.

The tuner firm added their own touches to the interior as well. Customers will find a sizeable amount of aluminum and carbon fibre throughout the inside. New instrument dials and a 3-spoke steering wheel are also included.

The Hamann BMW X6 Tycoon editions are available now from the German company. A BMW X6 Tycoon based on the xDrive50i should arrive soon.

DStyle Tuning Package for BMW Z4 Coupe & Roadster

The new BMW Z4 Roadster was revealed to us earlier this month, and is yet to be unveiled to the public but that hasn't stopped Germany's Dstyle from releasing new enhancements for the current generation model. The new aerodynamic styling package comes in two versions: Z4 CS for the Coupe and Z4 RS for the Roadster.

The styling is inspired by the world of motorsport and will be limited to just 100 units, it includes a new hood, a revised set of doors, fenders and tailgate along with a set of lightweight forged 19in alloy wheels and sports tires.

Brabham BMW M3 at Essen Motor Show

Brabham Racing from Germany is making its return to the upper ground, after going underground back in 1992. ‘Underground' means bankrupt for our purposes. At Essen, Brabham aims to show the world that it's still alive and well, kicking even, starting with this combative-looking M3 which is dubbed BT 92, '92 referencing that fateful year.

Not much has come our way in the sense of performance or engine details, safe to say that Brabham's Formula One experience, long in the tooth as it is, has come to assist it in tuning this car.

Do we detect a bit of BMW fanaticism here? Does Brabham want to take the fish straight out of Alpina and AC Schnitzer's mouths? It's ok we reckon, there's room for one more to join the tuning pack.

CLR X 650 by LUMMA Design

LUMMA's CLR X 650 is now at Essen. The BMW X6-based coupe SUV (that's what BMW asked everyone to call it) is stepping out on huge 23-inch wheels which make it slump a bit more because of its 35mm-lowered sport suspension.

Body kit is full and wide-bodied, includes 5cm fender extensions, side skirts, front bumper spoilers and rear ones. BMW's 4.4-litre V8 turbo's ECU has been reprogrammed to foster more power, while a stainless steel sport exhaust system added. LUMMA's gas pedal power module or GPM helps increase pedal power response.

CLR X 650 has an upgraded interior so the outside matches the inside as well. Leather and Alcantara feature heavily on the seats and the LUMMA logo appears in a number of surfaces, including the foot pedals.

CLR X 650 BMW X6 by LUMMA Design

BMW's hard-to-classify X6 is still warm from the oven, so to speak, and already the tuners are lining up to make it hotter. One of the first to step up is LUMMA Design. The Winterlinger-based tuner's CLR X 650 features a widebody kit and performance upgrades and will be displayed at the Essen Motor Show.

LUMMA's kit starts on the outside, with monstrous 23-inch wheels and a full widebody kit including 5cm fender extensions, front and rear bumper spoilers and side skirts. Carbon-fiber detailing is also used on the show car. An air ducted carbon hood is also included. The CLR X 650 is snugged down over those massive wheels thanks to a 35mm drop courtesy of the lowered sport suspension designed by LUMMA.

The 4.4 liter turbocharged V8 has a reprogrammed ECU and a stainless sport exhaust to boost power, and LUMMA has also introduced a "gas pedal power module" (GPM) that increases pedal response.

The interior has not escaped notice either. Leather and Alcantara wrap the seating surfaces, while red LUMMA-logo gauges and floormats make sure it's obvious who's responsible for this vehicle. Aluminum pedals and footrest are also engraved with the LUMMA logo.

BMW X6 by Hamann

The BMX X6 is a tricky vehicle to classify. In photos, it can look like a hot-hatch on steroids. Up close, you see the SUV in the vehicle. It's dimensions are even larger than the X5 and the only thing that cramps its cargo room to make it less than the X5 is the sloping hatch - a styling cue that makes the X6 unique and hard to pin down.

Of course, the term-du-jour is Crossover, which is what Hamann-Motorsports uses to describe the X6. But their treatment is a little more adventurous than that. Hamann boosts the X6's 3.5i gasoline/petrol version from 306 to 360 hp and the 3.5d (diesel) from 286 hp to 320 hp. Cranking power is also considerably elevated by 140 Nm to 540 Nm in the 3.5i and taken to a massive 660 Nm in the 3.5d from a previous 580 Nm.

On the outside, Hamann offers the option of 23-inch rims, in need of 315/25R23 tires. Oh, and the price tag for just the four wheels is 9,385 euros. Yes, this is an audacious tuner that also messes with the BMW sound with a four-pipe exhaust system that gives the X6 a more grounded sound.

The tuning kit also comes with a collection of spoilers and skirts and the interior gets a once-over with special carbon-fiber materials too. But Hamann is a performance tuner and this X6 definitely puts on a show.

AC Schnitzer X6 Falcon

AC Schnitzer present X6 Falcon - a project largely following the styling features seen on the recently-launched new X5 of the same name. The newest predator in its namesake's valley territory, AC Schnitzer are keen to point out the X6 Falcon's parallels to its bird of prey counterpart. Broad wings are however where the name originates, but such characteristics go more than skin deep.

Tthe X6 Falcon has been painstakingly 'adapted to its habitat', undergoing numerous laps of Nurburgring testing by engineers, namely to fine tune the set up of the AC Schnitzer springs. The result: traction even at speeds only achievable by a falcon in 'nosedive'. The styling package was designed for 'downforce instead of lift' and includes front and rear skirt, moved fog lamps and a contoured spoiler edge.

Instead of protection to the underbody and 'submarining', a rear diffuser and spoiler has been added, while skirts are now body-coloured so as the body appears more drawn down. We'll avoid calling the alloy wheels the 'legs' of the falcon like AC Schnitzer, but nonetheless it is AC Schnitzer 22-inch alloy wheels Type Vll, available in black or silver, that complement this new look.

AC Schnitzer Racing Design have given the Falcon an exhaust system to shout about, providing excellent resonance for its equally well-performing range of engines, enhanced by Control Unit. Two diesel units, the 30d and 35d, are enhanced from 235 hp and 286 hp to 272 hp and 310 hp respectively.

BMW 135i by Hartge

German based BMW Group tuning specialist Hartge first showed us off-the-shelf parts for the 1-Series coupe when it was first released, and then shortly followed with the aerodynamics kits. Now Hartge have developed an ECU upgrade for BMW's already potent 3.0-liter bitrubo engine in the 135i coupe releasing an additional 44hp.

The result is a total of 350hp at 5660 rpm and 480 Nm (lb-ft 354) at 2950 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) arrives in 4.8 seconds – a half second faster than its standard 5.3 seconds. Also, an unrestricted top speed allows 280 km/h (174mph).

Hartge states that a 135i fully equipped with the entire suite of components will cost in Germany € 48,162.14, excluding VAT.

Vorsteiner E92 BMW M3

Distinguished by a power to weight ratio improvement of 10%, the previous generation E46 CSL (Coupe, Sport, Lightweight) was slated as a purists' club-racer version of the standard M3 with many features intended to increase performance and reduce weight. Visually, it was differentiated by its' carbon fiber roof, front and rear bumper fascias with integrated carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFP) splitters, special 19-inch wheels and a decklid with integrated rear spoiler.

Unfortunately, BMW has decided to cancel plans for the E92 M3 CSL, however, that hasn't stopped California based tuner, Vorsteiner, from creating their own interpretation. With emphasis on the visual aspects, Vorsteiner has created a body kit which consists of a dry carbon fiber front add-on spoiler, rear diffuser with 3 integrated aero fins and a new replacement boot lid with a built in lip spoiler. Also, Vorsteiner has added a titanium performance exhaust system that weighs only 7.9 kg (17.3 lbs) versus the factory system that weighs 25.6 kg (56.3lbs). Vorsteiner has also developed a 5 spoke wheel design named V-302 series. This forged 3 piece aluminum wheel is available in 20x8.5J and 20x10J – front and rear respectively. For the interior, Vorsteiner offers a full carbon fiber interior trim kit to complement the carbon fiber exterior of the vehicle.

Aero Kit for BMW E90 3-Series by Wald

For the E90 BMW 3-Series sedan, Japanese tuning company, Wald International, has released another new body kit which follows the same hard edged look with louvered styling elements previously seen in the recent Bentley Conti GT Black Bisson Edition and Mercedes C-Class Black Bisson Edition. Despite the resemblance, Wald has decided not to give this 3-Series a Black Bisson Edition designation but instead a simpler WALD E90 Sports Line name.

Whatever you want to call it, the body kit includes front bumper fascia with dual fog lamp projectors, side skirts, rear bumper fascia, luggage lid spoiler and exhaust system. Also seen are WALD's latest wheel set, MAHORA M11C, 19 x 8.5J in the front with Face dish 1 and 19 x 9.5 for the rear with Face dish 3.

ACS3 Sport Cabriolet Based on the BMW M3 Cabrio

The way AC Schnitzer describes the BMW M3 Cabrio, I'm surprised they don't have to get out every half a mile for a change of trousers, but lets be honest – the rest of us would probably have to do the same as well.

The model is labelled the ACS3 Sport Cabriolet, a sports suspension by suspension guru Manfred Wollgarten is claimed to have thoroughly mastered the physics of driving the M3. Around the bonnet's powerdome are two AC Schnitzer Vents which emit a howling sound during driving.

The sides feature flexibly moulded side skirts which emphasise the wheelarches, these house the 20" Type V lightweight wheels and AC Schnitzer's 8-pot high performance braking system. Other features found on the model include a carbon fibre rear diffuser and a sports rear silencer with chromed tailpipes in "Racing“ design

The acclaimed tuning house has yet to get to work on the award winning 309 kW / 420 HP V8 engine, but we are assured we can expect announcements in this area some time in the future.

AC Schnitzer X5 Falcon

German BMW tuning specialist, AC Schnitzer, from Aachen has a new widebody kit for the BMW X5. Called the Falcon, it gets its name from the front and rear wheel arch flairs which are lovingly referred to as broad “wings”.

The kit includes front spoiler, rear skirt and front/rear fender flairs. AC Schnitzer further emphasizes the 'bird of pray' theme with two triangular metal-rimmed air intakes in the bonnet. Add AC Schnitzer's lowering spring kit, sport exhaust system plus 22-inch wheels for the completed look.

For the 3.0 litre diesel engine, ACS offers an electronically upgraded which bumps power from the standard 286hp (210 kW) to 310hp (228kW).

BMW X6 Styling and Performance Package by AC Schnitzer

Following the teaser illustration of the neon green CLR X650 from Lumma and off-the-shelf bolt-on mods from Hamann and Hartge, AC Schnitzer gets top marks in our our book for being the first tuner to present a real life styling package, although limited, for the new BMW X6. Although some critics have stooped so low as to compare the X6 to the atrocious Pontiac Aztec, the controversial X6 is a sales success an

d surely, the owners of these eccentric vehicles will certainly want to tune them.

Enter AC Schnitzer's aero kit, which consists of a front bumper fascia with diagonal air intakes plus repositioned fog lights, and a massive rear bumper fascia with diffuser center skirt plus integrated exhaust pipe openings. In contrast to the original, all components are painted body-colour throughout, to give a 'closer to the ground' appearance. The striking wheels are AC Schnitzer's new 22-inch Type VII multi-piece alloy wheels painted black. Missing from the overall kit are side skirts and miscellaneous fender flaring components and typical roof wings. However, we're not complaining. Overall, we think this package is just right.

Under the hood AC Schnitzer has prepared a new Motor Control Unit for the 3.0dX and 3.5dX diesel versions. Unfortunately, no performance data is available yet. However, AC Schnitzer admits that it has developed a unique suspension spring kit for the X6 on the North Loop of the Nürburgring and promises: Despite its high body, the X6 by AC Schnitzer in this configuration will show a clean pair of heels to many sports saloons.

BMW 6-Series by Hamann

When the E63 BMW 6-Series debuted back in 2003, Hamann brought to market a tuning package a year and a half later. For the facelifted BMW 6-Series which debuted a year ago, it seems Hamann might be speeding up their process, with an all-new styling package which subtly differentiates itself from the original styling kit of 2004. Showing an evolution of design, the aerodynamic package consists of a front and rear bumper fascia, side skirts and rear roof and bott lid spoilers.

G-POWER G4 3.0i EVO III

The German BMW tuning specialists, G-Power, have developed a new supercharger package called, G-POWER EVO III, for the BMW Z4 3.0i. Elevating just past the Z4 M levels, the kit consists of an ASA T1-12 supercharger, air-to-air intercooler, oil cooler, remapped ECU and complete exhaust system including racing-headers and catalytic converters. The result is 375 hp at 6,450 rpm and 420 Nm torque at 4,650 rpm – far above the standard 231 hp BMW Z4 3.0i.

The G-POWER G4 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and 200 km/h in 15.1 seconds, which overshadows the BMW Z4M with a top speed of 300-km/h. The conversion of the standard engine to the G-POWER EVO III configuration is 18,850,00 Euro including the installation; which can only be done at G-Power headquarters in Autenzell Bavaria.

The rest of the G4 package continues into the 4-piece exterior styling kit, coilover suspension, 20-inch wheels, 8-piston brake calipers and disks.