BMW Alpina B5 GT became the most high-torque “five” in history

The business of the Bovensiepen couple from the town of Buchloe has been independent for 40 years, but its days are numbered: in 2026, the Alpina brand will become part of BMW. With the transition to electric traction, the Bavarian brand will no longer need the services of engine engineers who started with tuning carburetors, and the Alpina name will be given to the most expensive configurations of flagship models (including electric ones).

But that’s in the future. And now the new Alpina B5 GT is presented – not the most powerful, but the most high-torque BMW fives in history. In 2021, for an M5 CS with four buckets and Alcantara trim in Germany, they asked for 180 thousand euros – a five-meter super sedan drove through the Nurburgring in seven and a half minutes, but was full of compromises. And you can become the owner of the new B5 GT, having 35 thousand less. And that’s why it’s a good idea.

The 4.4-liter V8 with the N63M30 index has a modified intake system, increased boost pressure and reflashed control units. The algorithms of the eight-speed “automatic” are also reconfigured. As a result, peak power increased from 621 to 634 hp. With. regarding the B5 S version (there were no such powerful Alpins before), and the torque indicator immediately added 50 Newtons (for the B5 GT – 850 Nm). Yes, this is not the most powerful “five” in history: the M5 CS has exactly one power more. But the Alpina’s torque is immediately 100 Nm higher – even the monstrous BMW XM does not have such traction.
Dynamic characteristics are the same. The sedan picks up a “hundred” from a standstill in 3.4 seconds, and the station wagon takes two tenths longer. But on the autobahn, you can safely drive the owners of the M5 CS out of the left lane: Alpina does not recognize electronic speed limiters, so the B5 GT sedan can reach 330 km/h, and the station wagon – 322 km/h.

There are other innovations, also a bit “track”. GT-versions have reinforced struts under the hood and a new front stabilizer bar, and you no longer need to pay extra for paddle shifters. Rear self-locking differential is an option for 3400 euros. In the configurator, among other things, there is a panoramic roof (1,700 euros), Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround music (4,200 euros) and, of course, Lavalina leather trim (15,300 euros).

Upholstery in Lavalina leather from December also available for bucket seats
The price tag for a sedan starts at 145.5 thousand euros, and the station wagon is three thousand more expensive. Against this background, 136.6 thousand euros for a less powerful M5 Competition (the CS version was produced for only one year) seems excessive, not to mention the fact that the M5 station wagon does not exist in nature. The new Alpina with an exclusive color (3,300 euros) and a full range of options will cost a little more than 190 thousand euros, but those who wish should hurry: a total of 250 B5 GT sedans and station wagons will be produced.