Photo: Alpina
BMW’s stand wasn’t the only one in Geneva that hosted world premieres. No less than 3 new Bimmers showed up for the first time in front of a live audience this week but, if you consider Alpina models to be also BMWs, that number goes up to 5.
The Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe and the B4 Convertible made their debuts in Switzerland too, showing the world, once again, what the German company is capable of. Of course, the two were introduced wearing the same traditional blue paint we’ve been getting used to but that’s just the tip of the iceberg here.
The Gran Coupe version of the B6 is just as mad as the 2-door model, being based on the 650i version. The engine tuning performed by the famous tuner/manufacturer took the 4.4-liter V8 up from 450 HP and 480 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque to 540 HP and 540 lb-ft (732 Nm) of torque.
Even so, nobody expected this car to be so blazing fast. 60 mph comes up in just 3.7 seconds thanks to the revised 8-speed gearbox with Alpina Switch-Tronic technology and BMW’s own xDrive all-wheel drive system. Compared to the M6 Gran Coupe, that’s RWD, the B6 is faster by 0.3 seconds, even though it has 20 less HP.
The 90 HP increase was achieved using a new exhaust developed in collaboration with Akrapovic, a new ECU map and a couple more tweaks here and there. The end result no only has more power but alos a refreshing, deeper sound than the 650i.
Of course, Electronic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization technology is included in the package for what Alpina calls ‘agile and neutral driving dynamics’. We’ll just have to see about that but what’s most impressive about it is the 198 mph top speed, more that the M6 Gran Coupe 190 mph (with MDM).
All the other Alpina tricks have been applied to the mix as well, as we’ve been getting used to. On the outside typical aerodynamic elements have been added to the front and rear bumpers as well as the boot lid, while the traditional turbine wheels are still here in 20” or 21” guises.
Inside, you get to revel in the exclusive LAVALINA leather, that you can find only at Alpina, hand stitched over most of the elements inside the cabin. Myrtle wood or Piano Black trims are available for a completely unique experience while the illuminated Alpina logo on the door sills is truly an eye opener.
As is always the case with either BMW or Alpina products, plenty of customization possibilities are available as well as a complete delivery experience that can be organized either at BMW’s Welt Museum in Munich or at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina. U.S. Pricing starts at $118,225 including $925 destination and handling.
Update: Fresh photos from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show have been added to the gallery. The Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe can be seen wearing the trademark Alpina Green, looking dazzling.
The Gran Coupe version of the B6 is just as mad as the 2-door model, being based on the 650i version. The engine tuning performed by the famous tuner/manufacturer took the 4.4-liter V8 up from 450 HP and 480 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque to 540 HP and 540 lb-ft (732 Nm) of torque.
Even so, nobody expected this car to be so blazing fast. 60 mph comes up in just 3.7 seconds thanks to the revised 8-speed gearbox with Alpina Switch-Tronic technology and BMW’s own xDrive all-wheel drive system. Compared to the M6 Gran Coupe, that’s RWD, the B6 is faster by 0.3 seconds, even though it has 20 less HP.
The 90 HP increase was achieved using a new exhaust developed in collaboration with Akrapovic, a new ECU map and a couple more tweaks here and there. The end result no only has more power but alos a refreshing, deeper sound than the 650i.
Of course, Electronic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization technology is included in the package for what Alpina calls ‘agile and neutral driving dynamics’. We’ll just have to see about that but what’s most impressive about it is the 198 mph top speed, more that the M6 Gran Coupe 190 mph (with MDM).
All the other Alpina tricks have been applied to the mix as well, as we’ve been getting used to. On the outside typical aerodynamic elements have been added to the front and rear bumpers as well as the boot lid, while the traditional turbine wheels are still here in 20” or 21” guises.
Inside, you get to revel in the exclusive LAVALINA leather, that you can find only at Alpina, hand stitched over most of the elements inside the cabin. Myrtle wood or Piano Black trims are available for a completely unique experience while the illuminated Alpina logo on the door sills is truly an eye opener.
As is always the case with either BMW or Alpina products, plenty of customization possibilities are available as well as a complete delivery experience that can be organized either at BMW’s Welt Museum in Munich or at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina. U.S. Pricing starts at $118,225 including $925 destination and handling.
Update: Fresh photos from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show have been added to the gallery. The Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe can be seen wearing the trademark Alpina Green, looking dazzling.
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