Alpina has wasted no time in following up the launch of BMW's refreshed 5 Series with a new B5, which uses a reworked version of the twin-turbo V8 to produce a frankly ridiculous 621hp and 590lb ft of torque. Those numbers easily trump the output of BMW's present 5 Series range-topper, the M550i - and they threaten to upstage the incoming M5 before it even arrives. Blimey.
To achieve those gains, Alpina's engineers have provided BMW's 4.4-litre engine with new intercoolers as part of an enhanced cooling system, a freer-flowing stainless steel exhaust as well as a new control map. Not only is the motor much punchier, it's also likely to be more effortless thanks to the delivery of peak torque from just 2,000rpm - which stays there till 5,000rpm. 500 revs after that, maximum power is delivered.
Coupled to BMW's xDrive system via an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox, the B5 will hit 62mph in 3.4 seconds (or 3.6 for the Touring), while top speed is 205mph (or 201mph for the estate). Again, faintly ludicrous numbers for cars expected to at least match (if not exceed) the usability and plushness of a top spec 5 Series, while delivering a level of discreetness that has marked out Alpina for generations.
Of course the tuner has seen to the car's chassis as well, with B5-specific adaptive damping and firmer springs said to enhance body control, lower the car's centre of gravity and even boost high-speed aero. Alpina has also retuned the car's active roll stabilisation and ensured the car's all-wheel steering system is configured to compliment the new setup. The front wheels now sit with one-degree of negative camber to enhance front end agility.
Behind the 20-inch, 20-spoke Alpina rims are beefier Brembo brakes of 395mm front and 398mm rear diameters, tuned to survive a higher workload and also provide what the brand describes as "sportier pedal feedback". For those wanting the most athletic B5 setup, a higher spec brake pad is offered, as is a rear-axle limited slip differential. Tick those boxes and it's fair to say you'd have a Bavarian Q car with as much technical clout as V8 muscle.
Alongside the B5, Alpina also revealed the equivalent D5 S using a similarly enhanced version of BMW's efficient mild-hybrid turbocharged straight-six. Like the petrol, the diesel gets an uprated cooling system, a freer-flowing exhaust and a new ECU map, increasing power to 347hp and torque to 538lb ft, giving the D5 S the ability to sprint from 0-62mph 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 171mph. Expect the Touring figures to be slightly behind the lighter saloon.
While Alpina UK is yet to announce them here, we're expecting both variants to be launched in the coming weeks. UK pricing is therefore not yet available, although in Europe, the B5 starts at €117,700, with the Touring priced €3k above that. Those figures equate to about £105k and £107k respectively.
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