Photo: Alpina
To celebrate 30 years since the first M5 was produced, BMW launched the 30 Jahre Edition of the M5 in 2014. But a limited-run of 300 examples with 600 horsepower under the hood isn’t enough for some people, including the specialists over at Alpina. Cue the BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo and its impressive 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 motor.
Even though the N63 4.4-liter V8 engine generates lots of low-rev torque, the Buchloe-based outfit found an extra 100 Nm (73 lb-ft) lying in there. As such, the BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo trumps the awe-inspiring BMW M5 30 Jahre Edition with 600 horsepower and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of RWD twist.
Alpina knows that with great power comes great responsibility. That’s why the company didn’t tinker with the business end of the M5 and left it at that.
Instead of the standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, Alpina decided that the torque was better harnessed by mating the engine to an 8-speed automatic. This makes the B5 Bi-Turbo a tenth of a second faster than the standard M5 at 4,2 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph). Still, the Jahre is faster - 3.9 clicks to 100 km/h.
On the plus side, the forward momentum of the modified twin-turbo V8 is available up to a top speed of 328 km/h (203.8 mph). You’ve heard that right - the BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo is faster than the Ferrari F40. More importantly, it has the upper hand in terms of everyday drivability because it has 5 seats.
If the four-door sedan body isn’t to your liking because you have kids and a dog, fret not because Alpina has got you covered. Thanks to the generous load volume of 1,670 liters (58.97 cubic feet), the B5 Bi-Turbo Touring is an ideal tool for family duties that doesn’t disappoint in terms of performance reserves.
Top tip: We hear that it’s hard to clean the Merino leather upholstery of the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Touring if someone is to perform the technicolor yawn, so be careful with your driving style in the twisties, okay?
Alpina knows that with great power comes great responsibility. That’s why the company didn’t tinker with the business end of the M5 and left it at that.
Instead of the standard 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, Alpina decided that the torque was better harnessed by mating the engine to an 8-speed automatic. This makes the B5 Bi-Turbo a tenth of a second faster than the standard M5 at 4,2 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph). Still, the Jahre is faster - 3.9 clicks to 100 km/h.
On the plus side, the forward momentum of the modified twin-turbo V8 is available up to a top speed of 328 km/h (203.8 mph). You’ve heard that right - the BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo is faster than the Ferrari F40. More importantly, it has the upper hand in terms of everyday drivability because it has 5 seats.
If the four-door sedan body isn’t to your liking because you have kids and a dog, fret not because Alpina has got you covered. Thanks to the generous load volume of 1,670 liters (58.97 cubic feet), the B5 Bi-Turbo Touring is an ideal tool for family duties that doesn’t disappoint in terms of performance reserves.
Top tip: We hear that it’s hard to clean the Merino leather upholstery of the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Touring if someone is to perform the technicolor yawn, so be careful with your driving style in the twisties, okay?
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