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      01-11-2011, 10:27 AM   #1
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Autozeitung Review: Alpina B5 Biturbo

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Autozeitung Reviews The Alpina B5 Biturbo
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While others are speculating what to expect from the new BMW M5 coming later this year, the German Autozeitung didn't waste its time guessing about the future but rather attended to the hottest F10 5er to date, the Alpina B5 Biturbo. Ingredients? To name just a few, 4.4L V8 Biturbo rated at 507hp and 700NM, 8-speed automatic, and limited slip differential (optional).

The outcome? As Autozeitung puts it, the Alpina B5 is the "best and most powerful F10 5er to date." They praise the "felicitous combination of powerful, yet refined, engine, top notch quality and good comfort."

As usual with Alpina models, exterior changes over any regular F10 5-series model are limited. An exclusive Alpina blue paint (€ 2.870) and 20 inch Alpina Classic wheels are to most noticeable differences. The interior though is a whole different story with the Alpina trademark instument cluster (red needles on blue dials) and high quality leather options and many color options.

Autozeitung refers to engine and transmission as a perfect match. 507hp and 700 NM (between 3,000 rpm and 4,750 rpm) coupled with a state-of-the-art 8 speed automatic transmission showed that the B5 Biturbo is first and foremost meant to be a powerful 'business sedan', rather than a pure racer. Yet, 0-100kph only takes 4.6 seconds which is pretty quick for a car weighing more than 4,200 lbs. Unlike other BMW models the B5 Biturbo isn't held back by any sort of speed limiter, so you can travel as fast as 307 kph.

The engine is based on the well-known N63 V8 engine, yet Alpina lowers the compression by using different pistons, adapts the ECU, and modifies the intercoolers. The 8-speed automatic transmission has also been modified. Alpina realises a so-called 'Single-Cylinder Fade-Out' to improve gear changes. It allows to cut the fuel supply to up to five cylinders during a gear-change. Compared to the usual method of a timing retardation, his makes for quicker shift times and a lower fuel consumption. Alpina first used this feature in the Alpina B6 GT3 race car.

It's not yet known if the Alpina B5 BiTurbo will make it to the US. Visit Autozeitung.de for more pictures and the whole review in German.




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