While many are sitting back, patiently waiting for the arrival of the BMW M6, German tuner Alpina has been hard at work on a project that will shed some light on the future model. Their new B6 Biturbo Coupe may not be as impressive as the upcoming M6, which is rumored to deliver about 600 HP, but it’s here now. Plus, we’re sure Alpina left enough room for a new tuning package for the M6.
But back to their Alpina B6 Biturbo Coupe. The B6 is an evolution of the old 507 HP B6 cabrio, but uses an aluminum twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, equipped with MAHLE pistons and a high-performance cooling system. This setup is give for a total output of 540 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque. With the extra power, the B6 Biturbo will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 198 mph. Alpina has also opted for a Akrapovic titanium exhaust system that will make the car sound better than ever and, of course, a new set of 20" Alpina Classic rims fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
For the aerodynamic updates, the B6 BiTurbo Coupe has been fitted with a front spoiler, an integrated carbon fiber front splitter, and a rear spoiler with an optional rear wing. The interior was also revamped with a sport steering wheel, hand-stitched in LAVALINA leather, blue illuminated entry sills, a navigation system with preparation for Bluetooth mobile phone, USB audio interface, Xenon lights, and LED fog lights.
Noted BMW tuning company, Alpina, has come out with a pair of new programs for 2012 BMW models. One of the models is for the 2012 3-Series, which they’re dubbing as the ’B3 GT3.’ The comprehensive tuning program includes aerodynamic, suspension, and performance modifications, offering fans of the iconic 3-Series a smorgasbord of improvements on the sports coupe.
For the aerodynamic program, Alpina fitted the 3-Series with a carbon fiber front splitter that has been mounted under the car’s front spoiler, as well as new dive plates that were added on the side of the car’s front valence. The rear end of the 3-Series also got some improvements in the form of a carbon wing and a new rear diffuser, and the package is completed by a new wheel and tire setup consisting of a new set of 19" Alpina GT3 Classic lightweight alloys wheels wrapped in a choice of either Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup+ tires. Inside, the improvements were limited to a new black leather finish with matching Alcantara and Recaro sport seats.
As one of the most popular BMW tuners in the world, Alpina has made a name for itself for their outstanding engine upgrades. Their work on the 2012 B3 GT3 is no different, thanks to a modified exhaust system and a titanium new rear silencer that added juice to the car’s already modified 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine. The result is an output of 402 horsepower and 398 lb/ft of torque, numbers that are good enough to hit 0-62 mph in just 4.6 seconds.
The only downside to the 2012 B3 GT3 program is that Alpina will only build 99 units of it. The cost for one has been pegged at €90,000, which is around $121,300 based on current exchange rates.
The press days for the Frankfurt Motor Show have come and gone and Alpina, finally made the long awaited preview of their tuning program for the BMW 6-Series Convertible..
Called the ’B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio’, Alpina has improved the luxury cabriolet’s performance capabilities by adding its own twin-turbo system - hence the name - together with MAHLE pistons and a high-performance cooling system.
As a result, the 6-Series Convertible’s 4.4-liter V8 engine gained some significant ponies, pushing the standard output of 400 horsepower and 450 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 500 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 516 lb/ft of torque between 3,000 and 4,750 rpm. Alpina also revised the gearbox on the car, putting in a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Together with this revised gearbox, the 25% increase in output allows the Alpina-tuned ’B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio’ to hit 0-62 mph in just 4.8 seconds (up from 4.9) with a top speed hitting an impressive 193 mph, a stark improvement from the standard model’s electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
On top of that, the Alpina-tuned 6-Series Convertible averages 10.9 L/100km (25.9 mpg UK / 21.5 mpg US) and emits 255 g/km, impressive numbers for a car of this stature.
The car will make its official debut in Geneva next March, but at the very least, we’re getting a good idea on what Alpina has done to improve on the 6-Series Convertible’s already impressive performance capabilities.
German tuning company, Alpina, has created a new program based on the BMW 5-Series which they’re calling the D5 Bi-Turbo. Comprised mostly of performance modifications, the D5 Bi-Turbo features a re-tuned version of the car’s original 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six diesel engine that produces an improved output of 345 horsepower. Count that up compared to the standard output of 245 horsepower and that’s an improvement of 100 ponies.
What’s more fascinating about Alpina’s program is that the company was able to manipulate the car’s fuel system to generate the same fuel-efficiency rating for the D5 Bi-Turbo - 6.2 liters/100 km, 37.9 mpg - with the BMW 530d. That may not look all that impressive, but considering the fact that the latter only produces 240 horsepower, you’ll be able to piece together exactly why that’s something worth your attention.
Moving out from under the hood, other important modifications done on the car include a revised suspension system with shorter springs, a new ZF SWITCH-TRONIC eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission, and a new set of 20" Alpina Classic rims that come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
By no means are we brushing off the D5 Bi-Turbo as just another impressive work in a long list of programs Alpina has done over the years. Despite the minimal changes done on anything that can’t be found under the bonnet, Alpina’s D5 Bi-Turbo still warrants some serious attention, especially for those that put premium on substance over style.
Back in July of last year, we were introduced to the BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Well, now it looks like the Geneva Motor Show is going to be the stage for the touring version of the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo to make its debut.
Not a lot of information was bared on what kind of aerodynamic changes the station wagon is going to come with, but we do know that it will offer the same powertrain as that of the sedan version, which will be a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 507 horsepower and 516 lb/ft of torque and mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The only difference - albeit a pretty small one - is that the sedan version posts a slightly faster 0-60 mph time - 4.7 seconds to 4.8 - compared to the touring version of the B5 Bi-Turbo. Likewise, the sedan version peaks at a slightly higher top speed of 191 mph compared to touring version’s 187 mph top speed.
The good thing is that the Geneva Motor Show will open its doors in less than a week so whatever curiosities we may have of this car we’ll be answered sooner than later.
