First Drive and photos of F10 Alpina B5 BiTurbo Sedan

Mark · 07-01-2010, 06:26 AM

As many of you know, and has Alpina has teased last week, the new B5 is to debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week (July 1-4), and here are the first photos of the car from the ground! We hope to see more pictures of the car in its full wallpaper glory, but for now enjoy

Technical Specs known so far:

Quote:

507hp
700Nm torque
0-62mph: 4.7 secs
Top speed: 191mph
8 speed switchtronic

UPDATED WITH AUTOCAR FIRST DRIVE REVIEW:

Quote:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...-B5-B5/250850/

Alpina B5
Test date 29 June 2010

What is it?

It's the new Alpina B5 Biturbo, the latest creation from the BMW-based manufacturer and the first chance we’ve had to sample a 'performance' version of the new 5-series.

Recent Alpinas have avoided using the same engines as M division products, but the B5 will come pretty close to going head to head with the forthcoming M5. It shares the same basic 4.4-litre V8 engine (the inlet set-up is different), equipped with two retuned turbochargers.

In Alpina tune the unit produces a flat 500bhp and 516lb ft. That's enough, says the firm, to take the car from 0-62mph in 4.7sec and onto a gloriously unrestricted 191mph.

Unlike the M5, which is likely to use a dual-clutch transmission, the B5 gets an eight-speed automatic. But the unit has been developed by Alpina and ZF, and it uses a trick way of speeding up shifts when you're in one of the car's sportier modes.

Instead of merely retarding the engine timing, the B5 uses its direct injection tech to merely cut off a cylinder or two. Alpina says the system cuts gearshift times in two, to around 180ms.

What's it like?

Jaw-droppingly fast. We drove the B5 from Alpina's base in Buchloe to the UK - in time for its appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed - and with an empty stretch of autobahn in front of it, it's supercar quick.

Alpina's claim of 0-62mph in 4.7sec feels conservative - and as for the top speed, well, we saw an indicated 190mph with three and their luggage aboard, and it was still pulling strongly.

Truth is, though, that making a 5-series with this engine feel strong on a motorway was never going to be the biggest challenge faced by Alpina's engineers. More testing is the task of making it handle on poor surfaces and twisty roads, and here the firm's modifications - lower suspension, non-runflat tyres and comprehensive reprogramming of BMW's adjustable dampers - pays off.

We wouldn't say the B5 has precisely the same level of agility and subtlety as Jaguar's XFR - but it's not far off it at all, and that means it's very good indeed. Revised steering programming makes the wheel feel lighter at low speeds than a 5-series, and weightier when you're pushing on, and it's a more satisfying set-up than BMW's.

With the car in Sport or Sport+ set-up the ride is firm but still compliant (no runflats, remember, just Michelin Pilot Sport 2s, or Pilot Super Sports on the final cars) and body control is excellent.

That trick transmission works well, too; we can't think of many dual-clutch units that beat it on speed and smoothness. The engine has massive urge from beneath 2000rpm, and if you push on it makes a great Nascar-esque soundtrack. It's perfectly docile for everyday use, though; cruise along at 80mph (barely 1900rpm) and it's silent.

Should I buy one?

At around £70k, the B5 will sit above the Jaguar XFR on price, but beat it hands down on exclusivity. Even our car - production prototype number one - was beautifully finished, the spec is relatively generous by BMW standards and Alpina can also offer a personal service matched by no mass manufacturer.

Of course, you could be tempted to wait for the M5, which will offer a more hardcore experience but, almost inevitably, more compromises on ride quality to boot. But if you're more sold on a 5-series than an XF, we'd be sorely tempted to put down a deposit now. Even by Alpina's relatively high standards, this is the firm's most complete package ever.

Source: Neil Whitehead via E38_E30 on GCF

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Robin_NL · 07-01-2010, 06:45 AM

Fantastic looks. Much better than the M package imo.

The wheels too are great and proportionally right.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/250837/

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EmPower · 07-01-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Fantastic looks. Much better than the M package imo.

The wheels too are great and proportionally right.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/250837/

I think the M - sport pack for the 5 is the clumsiest design on a BMW to date. The e60 M-sport was eye candy. Very disappointed...

Booster · 07-01-2010, 07:07 AM

BMW BRAD · 07-01-2010, 07:25 AM

Nice..........

mrbenyong · 07-01-2010, 07:29 AM

BY FAR better than BMW's muddled up M sport look for the new 5

d3l0n · 07-01-2010, 07:39 AM

507hp? 191mph?

OBI_agent · 07-01-2010, 08:00 AM

8 speed auto? If I'm not wrong, the Alpina B7 uses a 6 speed auto.Hmm, have they upgraded the 6 speed auto in Alpina b7 too?

Anyway, looks good in a gracious way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by d3l0n

507hp? 191mph?

This.

Malbolge · 07-01-2010, 08:00 AM

nice. better than Mpack. exhausts look menacing and correct shape too! beautiful car, in black it will be a monster.

positiveions · 07-01-2010, 08:44 AM

I like the back much better than the front. If I end up purchasing a 550, I would switch the exhaust to double dual exhaust.

J-Raid · 07-01-2010, 08:52 AM

Rear bumper is superb, front and rims don't suit at all.

crfine88 · 07-01-2010, 09:02 AM

GreenPlease · 07-01-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

8 speed auto? If I'm not wrong, the Alpina B7 uses a 6 speed auto.Hmm, have they upgraded the 6 speed auto in Alpina b7 too?

I'm 90% sure they use the 8speed in the B7 as well. I drove one about a month ago.

Alpina B5

that's what I'm talking about! Way better looking than the M-package on the exterior... now I just hope it somehow gets the M-package interior

ocm335 · 07-01-2010, 09:19 AM

rear and rims look great....but the front looks like something from the 80s

ddigangi · 07-01-2010, 09:21 AM

ok first off, damn! that looks great, alpina never fails to please me visually with aesthetics!

on the other side of it...they really need to get off their own nutz about those wheels, they are awesome in their own sense but they have been on every alpina car since like 1354 BC LOL

that front end also does need to be broken up a bit because that huge ass black smiles makes me giggle when it looks at me

geneatals · 07-01-2010, 09:35 AM

hope alpina makes just a front lip add-on for non non m sport front f10 bumpers (like they did for the e60's)

I think the rdsport f10 front bumper looks the most promising thus far...

GreenPlease · 07-01-2010, 09:54 AM

I had to come back and comment again. This is the best looking four door car I've ever seen. Bar none.

Bravo Alpina. Bravo.

Now bring it stateside!!!!!!!!

geneatals · 07-01-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenPlease

I had to come back and comment again. This is the best looking four door car I've ever seen. Bar none.

Bravo Alpina. Bravo.

Now bring it stateside!!!!!!!!

doubt a stateside alpina b5 will ever happen....sadly...

Ash83 · 07-01-2010, 10:35 AM

Nice

linkinfrost · 07-01-2010, 10:45 AM

Wow thats an ugly mug. Love the rest though.

TonyMeister · 07-01-2010, 11:23 AM

It says that it does 26 Mpg combined.

26 Mpg UK = 22 Mpg US.

Zunkung · 07-01-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Raid

Rear bumper is superb, front and rims don't suit at all.

Couldn't agree more!

07-01-2010, 07:07 AM	#4
Booster Pave The Rainforest Drives: Dog Hauler Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 888 iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	__________________ 05 Legacy GT Wagon

07-01-2010, 07:39 AM	#7
d3l0n I love the ///M3, but I want 550hp ///M5 Drives: BMW330iE90 Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 3,234 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i (E90) [4.50]	507hp? 191mph? __________________ .::d3l0n::. FS: OEM SG Side Skirts - Sparkling Graphite - PRE-LCI FS: OEM Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser FS: (SG) E90 OEM Rear Bumper - Sparkling Graphite - Pre-LCI 328/330 i/xi

07-01-2010, 08:00 AM	#9
Malbolge Major General Drives: Montego E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pluto (which is not a planet) Posts: 5,060 iTrader: (1)	nice. better than Mpack. exhausts look menacing and correct shape too! beautiful car, in black it will be a monster. __________________ E90 325i Montego Blau - 2011-2012 (SOLD) E90 320d TiAg - 2007-2011 (SOLD) E36 320i Avus Blau Msport - 2007 (SOLD)

07-01-2010, 08:44 AM	#10
positiveions Major General Drives: 09 MKV JETTA 2.5 & E90 M3 :) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 9,025 iTrader: (1)	I like the back much better than the front. If I end up purchasing a 550, I would switch the exhaust to double dual exhaust. __________________

07-01-2010, 09:02 AM	#12
crfine88 Colonel Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cave Creek AZ. Posts: 2,179 iTrader: (13)	__________________ LINK TO MOD JOURNAL: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403119

07-01-2010, 06:45 AM	#2
Robin_NL S0THPAW Drives: AW 1M + N55 mids Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands, Europe Posts: 4,227 iTrader: (0)	Fantastic looks. Much better than the M package imo. The wheels too are great and proportionally right. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/250837/

07-01-2010, 07:25 AM	#5
BMW BRAD Major Drives: Modded BMW's Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chino Hills Ca. Posts: 1,138 iTrader: (10)	Nice..........

07-01-2010, 07:29 AM	#6
mrbenyong Trying to make the best of the 325 Drives: F10 535i 2010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Malaysia Posts: 61 iTrader: (0)	BY FAR better than BMW's muddled up M sport look for the new 5

07-01-2010, 08:52 AM	#11
J-Raid Private Drives: E46 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: All around Europe Posts: 71 iTrader: (0)	Rear bumper is superb, front and rims don't suit at all.

07-01-2010, 09:19 AM	#14
ocm335 Enlisted Member Drives: 2010 335i M SPORT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: OC Posts: 36 iTrader: (0)	I agree rear and rims look great....but the front looks like something from the 80s

07-01-2010, 09:21 AM	#15
ddigangi BMW > Audi Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 595 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	ok first off, damn! that looks great, alpina never fails to please me visually with aesthetics! on the other side of it...they really need to get off their own nutz about those wheels, they are awesome in their own sense but they have been on every alpina car since like 1354 BC LOL that front end also does need to be broken up a bit because that huge ass black smiles makes me giggle when it looks at me __________________ Webpreneur, creative and automotive nut. Connect [ Website \| Facebook \| Twitter \| LinkedIn ]

07-01-2010, 09:35 AM	#16
geneatals Ninja Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal (SFV) Posts: 2,994 iTrader: (2)	hope alpina makes just a front lip add-on for non non m sport front f10 bumpers (like they did for the e60's) I think the rdsport f10 front bumper looks the most promising thus far... __________________ 2011.5 E90 M3 AW l Black Novillo Leather \| Carbon Fiber Leather Trim \| ZCP \| ZP2 \| M-DCT \| Navigation \| Moonroof \| 6FL l Pics/Mods Retired: 2008 535i l AW l Black Dakota Leather l Bamboo Anthracite l ZPP l ZSP l 6FL

07-01-2010, 09:54 AM	#17
GreenPlease Lieutenant Colonel Drives: BMW 335i e92 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 1,637 iTrader: (2)	I had to come back and comment again. This is the best looking four door car I've ever seen. Bar none. Bravo Alpina. Bravo. Now bring it stateside!!!!!!!! __________________ Cars>Women

07-01-2010, 10:35 AM	#19
Ash83 Major Drives: 05' 325i/10' 135i/10' Audi A4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,101 iTrader: (1)	Nice __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth

07-01-2010, 10:45 AM	#20
linkinfrost Private Drives: M3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 62 iTrader: (0)	Wow thats an ugly mug. Love the rest though.

07-01-2010, 11:23 AM	#21
TonyMeister Second Lieutenant Drives: Not a BMW... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 201 iTrader: (0)	It says that it does 26 Mpg combined. 26 Mpg UK = 22 Mpg US.

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