RE: Alpina launches 'Edition 50' B5 and B6 Bi-Turbo

RE: Alpina launches 'Edition 50' B5 and B6 Bi-Turbo

Thursday 26th March 2015

Alpina launches 'Edition 50' B5 and B6 Bi-Turbo

Alpina marks its half century in the best way possible - a 600hp limited edition



For 50 years now, Alpina has been providing a tempting alternative to the equivalent BMW, whether M cars or before. A little less overt, a bit more relaxing and even rarer, there's something deeply alluring about an Alpina.

Why have 540hp when you could have 600hp?
Why have 540hp when you could have 600hp?
To mark this significant birthday, Alpina has produced its most powerful models yet - the B5 and B6 Bi-Turbo Edition 50. There will just 100, split evenly between B5 and B6. And yes, a B5 Touring is available.

There are some significant cosmetic changes to mark out the 50 Edition but we'll come to those; the engine is more important. The standard B5 Bi-Turbo makes 540hp and 538lb ft, but the new car is rated at 600hp and 590lb ft. Which is a lot. The gains come through new pistons, tweaks to the induction system, three (!) intercoolers and 'other unique upgrades'.

Alpina claims 62mph arrives in 4.2 seconds and, with the Edition 50s unencumbered by a limiter, a top speed of 204mph. There are also some frankly unbelievable efficiency stats of 29.7mpg combined and 221g/km. Oh, and an Akrapovic exhaust, improving throttle response and hopefully noise while also saving 17kg.

Spotted the big change outside? Yep, the Alpina Classic wheels have changed. Sob. However, the new 20-inch rims (see the side cuts in each spoke) are forged aluminium and save a total of 15.6kg over the old cast aluminium items. Note also Edition 50 logos on the wheel.

Quilted green is an option - phew
Quilted green is an option - phew
Alpinas are typically quite subtle cars and that's no different with the Edition 50. They will be offered in Alpina Green, Alpina Blue or a new 'Edition 50 Sepia' finish. Traditional Alpina decal sets can be applied if desired with Edition 50 details. For those feeling brave, the interior can be specified with seats quilted in Forest Green 'complemented by yellow and black stitching'. Wow. Even without those, an Edition 50 can be identified by '1965-2015' logos, a centre console production plaque and company founder Burkard Bovensiepen's signature above the glovebox.

It all comes together to create another intensely desirable Alpina product. A Touring in green with gold decals would be perfect. And fear not, there is a limited-slip diff as standard for when family and business duties have been dealt with. Alpina says 'very small numbers' will be available in the UK, with prices from £86,850. Grab 'em while you can!

 

Author
Discussion

philmots

Original Poster:

4,630 posts

259 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
B5 Torung for me please.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
Article said:
Spotted the big change outside? Yep, the Alpina Classic wheels have changed. Sob. However, the new 20-inch rims (see the side cuts in each spoke) are forged and said to save 15.6kg each (!) over the old design. Note also Edition 50 logos on the wheel.
It's pretty shocking that the old wheels on a car like this weighed over 15kg in the first place, let alone that it's possible to cut 15kg from the weight. Shows how much more important form is than function in this sort of market, I suppose.

soad

32,829 posts

175 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
What's this then?
These are Alpinas, or as they're often described, BMW M cars for the more discerning driving enthusiast. driving

Quite quick too. smile

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
the Alpina classics wouldn't be more than 15.6kg in the first place, so the new ones certainly haven't saved that much, i doubt even for the total car, definitely not per corner!

soad

32,829 posts

175 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
Polynesian said:
the Alpina classics wouldn't be more than 15.6kg in the first place, so the new ones certainly haven't saved that much, i doubt even for the total car, definitely not per corner!
Lightweight Forged Wheels

Forged aluminium alloy provides greater stiffness and strength compared to conventional cast aluminium alloy, allowing for less material usage. The strictly ‘form follows function’ design combines the heritage of the ALPINA CLASSIC wheel with unique and distinguishing side-cuts (material reduction) on each of the twenty spokes. This results in a weight saving of 15.6 kg despite the wheels having increased in width by half an inch to now measure 9 x 20“ front and 10 x 20“ rear.

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en/all-models/b5...

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
kambites said:
It's pretty shocking that the old wheels on a car like this weighed over 15kg in the first place, let alone that it's possible to cut 15kg from the weight. Shows how much more important form is than function in this sort of market, I suppose.
If you read the press release elsewhere it is 15.6kg per car- still a huge 4kg per corner nearly. I don't buy for a minute that Alpina is more about form than function (said as an owner, albeit an old one).

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
Polynesian said:
kambites said:
It's pretty shocking that the old wheels on a car like this weighed over 15kg in the first place, let alone that it's possible to cut 15kg from the weight. Shows how much more important form is than function in this sort of market, I suppose.
If you read the press release elsewhere it is 15.6kg per car- still a huge 4kg per corner nearly. I don't buy for a minute that Alpina is more about form than function (said as an owner, albeit an old one).
At least that's believable, even if it still is rather a lot! hehe

Mr Whippy

28,944 posts

240 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
4kg per wheel seems reasonable on something huge.

Even tyres can make a big difference though as I've found out over the years measuring them (yes, tyre geek, measure tyres new and worn biggrin )


But for the car. Hmmmm. Bit meh.

The only one that has half interested me in recent years is the D3 because it was a bit different. The rest seem to close to the BMW offerings somehow.

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
kambites said:
Article said:
Spotted the big change outside? Yep, the Alpina Classic wheels have changed. Sob. However, the new 20-inch rims (see the side cuts in each spoke) are forged and said to save 15.6kg each (!) over the old design. Note also Edition 50 logos on the wheel.
It's pretty shocking that the old wheels on a car like this weighed over 15kg in the first place, let alone that it's possible to cut 15kg from the weight. Shows how much more important form is than function in this sort of market, I suppose.
This was mistake, just had it clarified by Alpina's PR. It wasn't us for once! Wheels save 15.6kg in total rather than each.


Matt

Macadoodle

828 posts

132 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
600bhp descrete estate car? That'll be the one for me. I'd have this over any of the other manufacturers' offerings.
Just had a look at the configurator and I reckon mine would end up somewhere over £100k, but it would be pretty much the only family car I'd ever need.

Now, where's that lotto ticket?

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
As a long-time fan I love the cars but I'm not sold on the new design of the classics at all. They're technically very appealing but cosmetically have a whiff of halfords about them. frown

I'd still have one mind you.

yes

Nickbrapp

5,277 posts

129 months

Thursday 26th March 2015
quotequote all
Macadoodle said:
600bhp descrete estate car? That'll be the one for me. I'd have this over any of the other manufacturers' offerings.
Just had a look at the configurator and I reckon mine would end up somewhere over £100k, but it would be pretty much the only family car I'd ever need.

Now, where's that lotto ticket?



Why not 850Bhp?

Cheib

23,113 posts

174 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
What's interesting is that despite Alpina's old wheels apparently being quite heavy is that despite that handicap they have always managed to produce cars with (compared to normal BMW's) cars with a great ride/handling balance.

Dr_Rick

1,592 posts

247 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
Alpina UK Configurator only lists the saloon Edition 50 B5. I can't see the Touring version.

j_s14a

863 posts

177 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
I am currently selling a set of OEM option Rays forged 18" wheels from a 350Z, that weigh just over 8kg each...

And as wheels are rotating, unsprung mass, that weight can make a hell of a difference. Have the car manufacturers forgotten the basics?

Macadoodle

828 posts

132 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
Nickbrapp said:
Macadoodle said:
600bhp descrete estate car? That'll be the one for me. I'd have this over any of the other manufacturers' offerings.
Just had a look at the configurator and I reckon mine would end up somewhere over £100k, but it would be pretty much the only family car I'd ever need.

Now, where's that lotto ticket?



Why not 850Bhp?
I don't mind 850bhp at all, just not a fan of the front of the E Class. Something about the air intakes just isn't right to my eyes. I much preferred how they used to look with the four lights at the front. But 850bhp? That's just silly. Wonderfully silly biggrin

DanS

1,137 posts

283 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Sadly the Alpina website is wrong, there's not touring version in RHD. shame.

Oh and they'd all sold out already at the launch on the Motorshow stand.