Alpina has never seen a reason to differentiate between luxury vehicles and high-performance vehicles, and this is no less true in its latest manufacture.
The high-performance German automaker has just launched a new turbocharged BMW, the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe. The imposing car is easily the most luxurious entry in the new Series 8 line, and also becomes one of the most powerful thanks to its bold V-8 engine.
Inside the Alpina B8
Alpine
At first glance, the Alpina B8 does not look very different from the standard B8 Gran Coupé. This is good, because the five-door is already one of the most elegant vehicles in the BMW line. There are some changes, of course. Both ends of the vehicle have been adjusted, with a larger air intake and a diffuser at the front and a spoiler at the rear. There are also special Alpina stickers and emblems, as well as their forged 20-spoke and 21-inch wheels, which are packed in high-performance Pirelli tires.
The interior has also undergone a subtle renovation. Almost everything – including the multifunctional front sports seats, steering wheel and instrument panel – is covered or accented with finely worked Merino leather at Alpina’s in-house workshop. Behind the wheel, you’ll find a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The center console is complemented by BMW’s 10.3-inch infotainment system with touch screen, from which you can access the navigation and driver assistance system. A Harman Kardon surround sound system also comes standard.
Alpine
While the range of opulent accessories gives the Alpina B8 an appeal of genuine luxury, the beastly mill under its hood can be even more impressive. The engine is the same 4.4-liter V-8 biturbo found on the M850i and M8 models. Coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it has been specially tuned to generate 612 horsepower and 590 ft lbs of torsion. This makes it the second most powerful car in the 8 series, second only to the M8 with the Competition package, which offers 617 hp. It is also very fast, capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 201 mph.
The Alpina B8 Gran Coupé is due to arrive in the United States this spring. In addition to being the most luxurious entry in the 8-Series line, it is also the most expensive, starting at $ 140,895.