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The new BMW Z4-based 99d roadster and the BMW 550i-based ACS5 sports saloon will hog the limelight on AC Schnitzer's stand at this week's 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Both models were developed to offer performance without compromising on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. The Z4 99d comes with a 190HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, while the ACS5 features a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 gasoline unit pumping out 540-ponies. Scope out the first promotional videos of AC Schnitzer's newest tunes right after the break.

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BMW's decision to create the new 'i' sub-brand for the growing number of eco-conscious buyers has apparently rubbed off its partners like AC Schnitzer, as the German tuning firm will be launching a production ready concept based on the Z4 hardtop-roadster at next week's Geneva motor show.

Developed as an eco-friendly sports car that adapts to AC Schnitzer's new motto "Efficient Performance", the 99d gets its name from its CO2 emission levels and the diesel powerplant housed under its hood.

More specifically, the tuning house fitted the Z4 with the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamic's 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. After some performance upgrades, the four-pot's output was lifted from 163HP and 380Nm, to 190HP and 420Nm.

AC Schnitzer says the 99d can go from naught to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 235km/h (146mph), while returning an impressive fuel consumption of 3.8lt/100km (61.9 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of just 99.18 g/km.

To achieve these striking numbers, the German tuner also reduced the roadster's weight by 230kg (507 pounds).

"With the AC Schnitzer 99d, we've succeeded in building the previously inconceivable: an up-rated performance vehicle whose CO2 emissions have been reduced to 99 g/km and which, despite its sustainability, offers pure driving pleasure. That's Efficient Performance by AC Schnitzer," the company said in a brief statement.

According to the tuner, the price of the 99d is €149,000 or about US$205,500 at today’s exchange rates, but that's about all the details AC Schnitzer is willing to release before unveiling the car at the Geneva Salon.

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We knew BMW's brand-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was coming to the States but now, the Bavarian automaker has made it official. The German company released a statement saying the first cars to be equipped with the force-fed four-banger will "arrive later this year" in the USA.

The 2.0-liter unit made its debut on the X1 compact crossover and will eventually replace BMW’s trademark normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. While BMW's US division has yet to announce which models will get the new engine, in Europe, the automaker has already confirmed the powerplant for the Z4 coupe-roadster and the 5-Series range.

In the U.S., the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six is currently available on these models:

-128i Coupe / Convertible 230HP

-328i Sedan / Coupe / Convertible / Sports Wagon / xDrive 230HP

-528i Sedan 240HP

-X3 xDrive28i 240HP

-Z4 sDrive30i 255HP

There's a strong possibility that BMW will offer the new 2.0-liter turbo on all of these models in the U.S. but this has yet to be confirmed.

BMW's more for less 2.0-liter unit combines twin-scroll turbocharging with high-pressure direct-injection and the firm's VALVETRONIC intake control. In the X1, the maximum output of 240 horsepower is achieved at 5,000 rpm, or 1,500 rpm lower than in the normally-aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. The peak torque of 260 lb-ft, comes on tap at just 1,250 rpm, which according to BMW, is not only 30% more torque than the aforementioned inline six, it also peaks 1,500 rpm earlier. On top of that, BMW says the four-pot also returns 16 per cent better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

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