2011 BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

2011 BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

2011 BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

2011 BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

2011 BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

BMW tuner Alpina, who like to refer to themselves as a “manufacturer” as per German laws, has released details on their latest model, the 2011 Alpina B5 F10 Bi-Turbo, based on the BMW 5-Series. It is sort of a pre-emptive strike on the upcoming BMW M5.

The exterior basically gets 20-inch Alpina wheels, 255/35 tyres up front and 285/30 in the rear, Alpina-branded front fascia, side skirts, rear bumper with an integrated quad-exhaust, an optional diffuser and a complete swap of BMW badges for Alpina ones.

Under the bonnet is a tuned version of the turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, now producing 507 hp at 5,500 rpm and 700 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm to 4,750 rpm. It is mated to the SWITCH-TRONIC 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The rear-wheel-drive sedan is apparently manages a fuel economy rating of 10.8 litres/100 km. The Alpina B5 can do the 0-100 kph run in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed is 307 kph. The tuned “neutral” suspension includes shorter progressive springs and specialised suspension arms. An electronically-adjustable system is also available, BMW’s Variable Damper Control, with four settings for Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+. The brakes are bigger too.

On the inside are leather upholstery and special wood trim, as well as new gauges in a black panel LCD display by Alpina.