Alpi Alpina B5 Touring
Is this the M5 estate BMW will never sell you?
ALPINA has been fettling BMWS for decades. Despite delivering a more refined edge to some of the brand’s brasher models, the tuner’s take is different, offering an alternative to cars such as the all-new M5.
The newest Alpinas to join the range are the 5 Series-based B5 and D5 cars. We drove the diesel variant in the UK in February (Issue 1,512), but now we’ve been given the keys to the firm’s Biturbo petrol B5 in more practical Touring guise.
The car in these pictures is in fact a customer car rather than a press demo – because there are only a few in the country. Apparently, only nine are expected to reach the UK before the end of the year. Every B5 gets the usual bodykit and badges, as well as unique digital dials and a numbered plaque.
Despite boasting more power and torque than the M5, the Alpina B5 uses a tuned version of the 4.4-litre V8 engine found in the not-for-uk BMW M550i. Every car gets all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, as well as an eight-speed auto box. Our model sat on standard 20-inch wheels, with Pirelli Sottozero winter tyres.
At this time of year, this set-up makes it alarmingly fast. In the right conditions, the Touring will sprint from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and hit 202mph, despite tipping the scales at more than two tonnes. The engine isn’t as responsive as some of the finest modern V8s, but the shove at 4,000rpm is relentless.
After some initial lag, the turbos spool and offer seemingly endless power right to the red line. A MercedesAMG E 63 is more characterful, and its engine more visceral, but Alpinas are about taste and sophistication rather than brutish flamboyance. And that’s the thing that impresses most. Even with 600bhp and 800Nm of torque, the way the B5 Touring conducts itself over broken British B-roads is astounding.
The car’s compliant ride and excellent refinement are two things that are now synonymous with the Alpina brand, and the latest estate offers them in spades.
At motorway speeds the engine is barely audible, and road noise is kept at bay even on huge wheels and winter rubber. Wind noise is non-existent as well. The suspension offers a beautiful blend of comfort and composure, too, seemingly eradicating ridges, creases and shallow potholes in the road.
Yet when you want to ramp things up, the Alpina obliges. The B5 is available with optional wheel-mounted paddles, replacing the often-criticised buttons. BMW’S usual drive modes remain,
“After some lag, the turbos spool and offer seemingly endless power to the red line”
changing throttle response, steering weight and shift times as you’d expect.
The sumptuous leather seats and Alpina-trimmed steering wheel offer the perfect driving position, while the familiar BMW controls make it easy to live with. It comes at a price, however, costing over £36,000 more than the most expensive 540i xdrive Touring.
But against the saloon-only M5, it’s better value. BMW has no plans for an M wagon, so this is as close as you’ll get to a 600bhp 5 Series with room for the dog. In fact, with the same 570-litre boot, there’s space for all the family.
For your £91,000 you get a long list of standard kit, including heated seats, four-zone climate control, digital dials and wireless phone charging.
Those not concerned by the price are unlikely to worry about how much the B5 costs to run, although the 66-litre tank dramatically affects the car’s range.