- Alpina shows off two of its latest tunes — the B3 GT3 and the B6 Biturbo — both unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
- The lime-green Alpina B3 GT3 is loaded with 402 horses and maxes out at 186 mph.
- The Alpina B6 Biturbo is a matte blue car with the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 under the hood as the B7.
TOKYO — Alpina, the BMW tuning specialist, chose the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show as the backdrop for unveiling its new B3 GT3 and B6 Biturbo.
First is the hard-to-miss lime-green B3 GT3, which churns out M3-like numbers with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6. The car produces 402 horsepower that is delivered through a six-speed ZF automatic tranny, and commemorates Alpina's B6 GT3 model that competes in the German GT Series. The tuner says it sprints to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and maxes out at 186 mph.
Some of its performance modifications include a titanium exhaust system, fully adjustable coilover suspension system, springs and stabilizer bars, racing brakes and a limited-slip differential. The exterior is dressed in a body kit that includes a carbon-fiber front splitter, rear diffuser and carbon-fiber wing. It also gets a set of 19-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires.
The showcar is wrapped in green vinyl to look like the B6 GT3 racer, but the package will be offered in black, white or Alpina blue as well. It costs around $125,000 and only 99 examples will be produced, 30 of which are already designated for Japan.
The second Alpina, the B6 Biturbo, has the same twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 under the hood as the only Alpina we get in the States — the B7. The tweaked coupe or convertible (your choice) develops 532 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque, and an eight-speed automatic helps it gallop to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and top out at 199 mph.
A new exhaust system, revamped suspension and big brakes are some of the performance mods, and Alpina also fits it with a set of 20-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels.
From afar it looks as if the car is dressed in the typical Alpina Blue paint scheme, but if you look closely you can see that this example is actually a matte version of the color.
You can see more details on both models at Alpina's Web site.
Inside Line says: Two sharp cars that carry a large price tag to go along with that Alpina name. Too bad neither car will be exported to the U.S.
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inkachas says:
09:31 PM, 12/10/2011
To those commenting on the wheels, love or hate them they are traditional Alpina. They have been using them just as long as the green and blue paint schemes, the only change is they come in 20's now not 13's. Though for you guys I see they are starting to offer some different styles but they certainly still have more spokes than you may what. I have to say I'm definitely loving the new GT3 version.
trav187 says:
08:53 PM, 12/03/2011
Who's ever in charge of Alpina BMW wheel design needs to be canned. I can't believe they put such ridiculously ugly wheels on such beautiful cars. I know a lot of people aren't diggin the new 6 series lines, but i bet if there were decent wheels on the car, it'd make a HUGE difference. I swear, i don't know if an uglier wheel even exists... I think a giant 20" chrome plated hub cap would look better than these.. I guess i'll be ordering my B6 without wheels... (haha.. i wish)
lolxd says:
06:26 AM, 12/03/2011
I've always had a soft spot for Alpina modified BMWs especially the B7. I love the new BMW B5 Alpina (F10) and I'd surely have it over the M5 unlike everyone else but maybe I'm just too much of a hipster to consider the more mainstream M///.
cz_75 says:
07:57 PM, 12/02/2011
Concur with multi-spoke wheels - a few chunky spokes look aggressive, while anything more than ten looks frilly and effete and not something you expect on a performance car. Also dislike the new 6, though it's a toss-up as to which is worse, this one or the last one. I still love the look of the E9 3.0 CS and E24 6-series, especially the M6/M635 and think the 8-series wasn't a bad follow-up.
cubozoan says:
01:54 PM, 12/02/2011
Gosh, the more I look, the more I think the new 6-series is even uglier than the previous one. Do like that B3 tho.
sportyaccordy says:
10:52 AM, 12/02/2011
These don't get the blood flowing like the Alpinas of yesteryear
runreb211 says:
10:32 AM, 12/02/2011
I love the Alpina-modified Bimmers, but I hate the wheels. I've just never been a fan of 87-spoke wheels. A 5-spoke would be great.
_pioneer_ says:
09:29 AM, 12/02/2011
Alpina added some much needed flare to the new 6-series.