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Eager to feast your eyes on a pair of ultra-exclusive BMWs that likely won’t ever set a tire on American pavement? From the 2017 Geneva auto show, we bring you the newest Alpina B5 Biturbo models based on the new 5-series sedan (which we do get in the U.S.) and the Touring wagon (which we don’t). Each B5 incorporates the usual rash of Alpina upgrades, including a stonkin’ twin-turbocharged V-8 and the BMW outfitter’s signature 20-spoke wheels.
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The Alpina-modified 4.4-liter V-8 is really the star of the show here. It’s essentially the same engine that, installed in the 7-series-based Alpina B7 sedan it offers in the U.S., made the nearly 5000-pound four-door the quickest dealership-sold BMW we’ve ever tested. Considering that the V-8 puts down 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the B7’s feat seems almost inevitable. The 144-hp disparity between the Alpina V-8 and BMW’s stock unit in the M550i can be chalked up to the former’s new turbochargers, Mahle pistons, intake design, and computer tuning.
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In the B5s, the V-8 distributes power to all four wheels using the same ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, and Alpina estimates that the B5 sedan can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. (Tack on an additional 0.1 second for the B5 Touring.) The B7 we tested did the deed in 3.4 seconds, so we’re thinking Alpina’s performance estimates for these lighter B5s are conservative. More believable, if you can believe it, are Alpina’s claims that the B5 sedan can do 205 mph and that the less aerodynamic B5 Touring wagon can reach only 202 mph.
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- Add M to X: BMW Announces 2018 M550i xDrive, the Ultimate 5-series—for Now
- 2017 Alpina B7 xDrive Tested: The Quickest BMW We’ve Ever Tested!
- BMW 5-series Research: Full Pricing, Specs, Reviews, Photos, and More
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Not only are these two B5s fast, but they’ll look good on the move or standing still thanks to their subtle Alpina body kits, slightly lowered suspensions (with BMW’s new rear-wheel-steering widget), and those trademark Alpina wheels. Inside, tweaks to the 5-series’ digital gauge cluster make it display Alpina’s own layouts (including one that digitally renders Alpina’s signature blue-faced analog gauges), and the company covers the seats with its own quilted leather.
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