Alpina amps up BMW 8-Series Gran Coupé to 612 hp
If BMW’s M8 Gran Coupé somehow fell short of your expectations, fear not—the Alpina B8 has arrived to raise the stakes.
Enhancements to the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine include power raised from 600 horsepower to 612 hp and torque hiked from 553 lb-ft to 590 lb-ft from just 2000 rpm. Additional improvements include modified twin-scroll turbochargers, an upgraded cooling system—including a larger oil cooler and intercoolers—and a sports exhaust system to free up the extra oomph.
The eight-speed automatic transmission has been tweaked to offer quicker shifts without compromising smoothness, and there some ratio alterations that nudge the B8 beyond 200 mph, which is 11 mph faster than a de-restricted M8. The M8 will be ahead briefly at a stop light grand prix as it reaches 60 mph from rest in three seconds flat, 0.3 secs quicker than the B8, but beyond that, expect the Alpina to pull away.
The Alpina may well have the edge in the canyons as the suspension has been upgraded with hydro mounts for the front axles, stiffer strut support mounts and Eibach springs. Like the M8, the Alpina has rear-axle steering and a limited slip differential. Tailored Pirelli tires are fitted to unique 20-spoke, 21-inch alloy wheels, and four-piston Brembo brakes are fitted.
Alpina’s aesthetic treatment extends to larger air intakes in the front apron to aid that new cooling system, a new rear apron with Alpine’s own diffuser, and there’s a small rear lip spoiler and discreet badging to finish off the look. As well as the wide range of standard BMW colors, the B8 is available in blue and green metallic, exclusive to Alpina.
The interior is essentially ultimate-spec 8-Series, with Merino leather and Alcantara, and a selection of Alpina details from the illuminated door sills to a crystal glass i-Drive controller, and a hand-finished steering wheel in Lavalina leather.
The Alpina B8 Gran Coupé will hit the roads later this spring at a price of $139,900. A standard M8 starts at $130,000 but when you start adding options it’s easy to see the price get close to $150,000, making the Alpina suddenly look like a deal.
