Alpina is celebrating 50 years of history with two limited edition versions of the B5 Bi-Turbo and B6 Bi-Turbo that are capable of smashing the 200mph barrier.
The B5 and B6 Bi-Turbo ‘Edition 50’, available in coupe, estate and saloon forms, features a hand-crafted body and a hefty power increase of 60hp and 70Nm of torque on the standard car, allowing a 0 to 62mph time of 4.2 seconds – that’s M car territory.
The power increase is the result of clever optimisations to the BMW 4.4-litre V8, the addition of a high-capacity fuel system and other ‘unique upgrades’, bringing the total output to an earth-moving 600hp and 800Nm (590lb/ft) of torque. The M4 only puts out 431hp and 550Nm of torque.
Alpina has been busy elsewhere. Each classic multi-spoke alloy wheels synonymous with the manufacturer, for instance, is 15.6kg lighter than the previous 20-inch alloy wheel, thanks to a new forging process and side cuts in each spoke. An Edition 50 logo completes the new design.
An Acrapovic titanium exhaust system, meanwhile, improves throttle response by minimising back pressure, while saving 17kg of weight compared with a stainless steel equivalent.
The Edition 50 also gets Alpina blue brake calipers, limited-slip differential, hand-crafted sports seats, full leather instrument panel, steering wheel made from hand-stitched Lavaline leather and a choice of either an Alpina Blue, Alpina Green or a bespoke sepia paintjob.
Just 50 B5 Bi-Turbos saloon and estate cars and 50 B6 Bi-Turbo coupes will be built, with ‘very small numbers’ coming to the UK, which means the £86,850 price tag might be the least of your worries.
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen KG, to use its full name, began life on the 1st of January, 1965 in the German city of Kaufbeuren. Its partnership with BMW has resulted in a number of legendary creations, including the highly sought after BMW 3.0 CSL and more recently the M4-rivalling B4 Bi-Turbo.
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