Alpina applying its magic to BMW 8er
Full reveal March 24th
The latest model to come from the high-performance BMW folks at Alpina is going to be a version of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe. We’ll get to see it for the first time next week as the all-new model is introduced live online.
Alpina has been making BMWs quicker, more special, and in many cases doing things before BMW’s own in-house M division tried them. Alpina is a registered manufacturer in its own right, but because they lean toward luxury and torque over track-focus lime the M-cars, BMW has slowly brought Alpina models in-house to the point that several are built alongside regular BMWs with Alpina cars sold directly from BMW dealers.
So what can we expect from the 8 Series Gran Coupe, to be badged the BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, when it arrives early March 24th?
We’ll use the B5 Bi-Turbo as a template since the BMW 5 Series and 8 Series share some major components like the engine. The B5, instead of starting with the M5’s engine, starts with a modified version of the N63 4.4L V8 from the M550i. While the M5 makes 591 hp and 553 lb-ft (vs 523 and 553 for the M550i), the B5 Bi-Turbo produces 599 hp along with 590 lb-ft of torque thanks to new pistons and turbos. The engine also uses a modified version of the M550i’s gearbox rather than the M5’s.
The B5 also adds a comfort mode to its Eibach springs and adjustable Bilstein dampers, intended to make the car a grand tourer rather than an all-out sports sedan. IT has an upgraded leather interior with BMW’s Comfort seats instead of M Sport seats, and it comes with Alpina’s signature 20-spoke wheels and other cosmetic changes.
Expect much of the same for the B8, but with that car’s sleeker bodywork in place of the upright 5er. Of course, Alpina always has some tricks up its sleeve, so we look forward to seeing the more elegant 8 Series when it drops next week.
