Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Coupé and Convertible Replaced By Upgraded S, Combining Long-Distance Comfort With Astonishing Performance

NOTTINGHAM, England - April 30, 2017: Luxury vehicle manufacturer ALPINA will launch its new B4 S Bi-Turbo at the London Motor Show (May 4 – 7) following the model’s international preview at the Geneva show in March. With two new ALPINA-specific turbochargers and an uprated cooling system, power climbs from the previous model’s 410 bhp to 434 bhp and torque leaps from 442 lb ft (600 Nm) to an astonishing 487 lb ft (660 Nm), giving the luxury four seater a top speed of 190 mph and acceleration that will take it to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds.

“The S designation is reserved for the highest performance ALPINAs, most of which have been manufactured in very small numbers,” explains ALPINA GB general manager Gary Lott. “Think of the B7 S saloons and coupés, the legendary B10 V8 S and the E46 B3 S, whose hand-assembled 3.4 litre straight six is considered by many to be one of the greatest engines ever made.”

The new B4 S Bi-Turbo, available as Coupé and Convertible, provides a unique combination of comfort, refinement and very high performance that is a hallmark of ALPINA’s extensive engineering development. “ALPINA customers value the finely-honed feel of a bespoke car and the easily accessible performance that comes with substantial torque,” Lott continues. “An ALPINA is often described as ‘the best performance car for the real world’ and that’s something we are very proud of.”

Based on BMW’s latest generation 4-Series, the B4 S Bi-Turbo is the result of a two year development programme during which every aspect of the vehicle was analysed and refined to increase performance, comfort, efficiency and style compared with the standard 4-Series. Using design and validation processes identical to those implemented by BMW, ALPINA’s team of 70 engineers worked with specialist suppliers to enhance the engine, gearbox, cooling system, body structure, wheels, tyres, aerodynamics, steering, suspension and interior.

At the heart of the new B4 S Bi-Turbo is an extensively re-engineered version of BMW’s highly-regarded 3.0 litre straight six, built around a specially cast, reinforced crankcase. For the previous B4 Bi-Turbo, ALPINA engineers replaced the standard engine’s twin-scroll single turbocharger with a twin-turbo system, complemented by optimised induction airflow, a forged steel crankshaft and an uprated cooling system. For the S, ALPINA has specified a new, bespoke twin-turbo system that provides even higher capacity with a further evolution of the free-flow induction system to allow near-instantaneous response to throttle demand. The S engine also has a new piston crown cooling system and a bespoke thermal management system that ensures temperature stability over prolonged, fast driving. With more than 442 lb ft (600 Nm) available from 2000 rpm to 5000 rpm, a 7,000 rpm limit and exceptional durability, the result is a bespoke powertrain that delivers very high performance, effortlessly over great distances.

The S also receives higher spring and damper rates and subtle enhancements to the aerodynamics including a revised front spoiler and rear apron. The cooling system has been further uprated to ensure consistent performance and long-term durability with the additional ALPINA water radiator and external oil cooler now 15 % and 35 % larger respectively, compared with those fitted to the B4 Bi-Turbo.

The gearbox is ZF’s excellent 8-speed, with 20% of the components optimised specifically for ALPINA to ensure very smooth changes even in Sport mode. The S now has a limited slip differential fitted as standard on UK-specification cars, optimised to ALPINA specifications to provide a very progressive lock up to 40%. High-strength drive shafts are specified to accommodate the engine’s exceptional torque. The ALPINA brake system, with distinctive blue callipers (four pot front), has a fixed calliper architecture to improve feel and responsiveness.

With four elliptical outlets, the Akrapovic exhaust, designed to complement the revised engine, delivers a powerful yet refined sound quality, with a sports setting that can be manually or automatically selected.

Bespoke Luxury

The ALPINA B4 S Bi-Turbo is available in the UK as a Coupé for £63,000 or as a Convertible for £67,000, with a long list of standard equipment chosen for comfort and driving pleasure over long distances, including LED front lights with High Beam Assist, heated sports seats with electric adjustment and BMW Professional media package with navigation. Every ALPINA is also fitted with discreet ALPINA luxuries, crafted in high-quality materials.

The luxury carpet overmats, seatbacks, door treads and front spoiler include subtle ALPINA branding. Wheels are the famous ALPINA Classic design with a 20” diameter and bespoke tyres, the instruments are in ALPINA Blue and the sports steering wheel is covered in finest-quality, hand-stitched Lavalina leather. Every car is finished with a model plaque displayed on the centre console, showing the car’s unique build number.

In addition to being available with all BMW options including those from BMW Individual, the B4 S Bi-Turbo can receive almost limitless personalisation from ALPINA’s craftsmen. Alongside the famous ALPINA Blue and ALPINA Green signature paintwork, choices include hand-stitched full leather interiors of superb quality and a wide range of hand-finished woods for the dashboard and doors. The iconic ALPINA Deco Set, which includes front and side stripes with the ALPINA logo, makes a welcome return as standard equipment with a zero cost delete option.

The equivalent B3 S Saloon and Touring will join the B4 S Bi-Turbo Coupé and Convertible around mid-year. Four Wheel Drive versions of each model are available in left hand drive markets.

ALPINA has worked closely with BMW for more than fifty years, building the trust in engineering excellence that allows shared warranty cover and high levels of collaboration. The company was registered as an automobile manufacturer in 1983. ALPINAs can be serviced at any BMW dealer.

For more information on ALPINA’s extensive engineering of this model, please see the following technical notes.

50 years of bespoke cars

ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen KG was established on the 1st of January 1965 in Kaufbeuren. Two years later it adopted the now-famous badge featuring a twin-choke downdraught carburettor and a crankshaft on a shield; a proud symbol of the company’s dedication to superb engineering.

Although today the company is focused on exceptional road cars, its ethos has been formed by decades of racing success with a driver roster that includes Derek Bell, James Hunt, Jacky Ickx, Niki Lauda, Brian Muir and Hans Stuck. Throughout this time, the close relationship with BMW was developing, with factory support for road car development and collaboration in motorsport that included commissioning ALPINA to develop the light weight race car that became the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL.

Today, ALPINA is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance luxury automobiles, selling on every continent yet still in numbers small enough to allow each car to be bespoke. Production is around 1,700 per year and there are currently no plans for significant growth beyond this. Fewer than 100 cars are sold new in the UK each year, while interest in models is growing rapidly alongside their values as enthusiasts recognize the considerable pleasure of driving a classic ALPINA.

“ALPINA is a company that creates subtly stylish, very high performance cars that can be tailored to each customer’s personal requirements, yet offer the long-term comfort and durability required for daily use,” comments CEO Andreas Bovensiepen, son of the company’s founder Burkard Bovensiepen. “We have a unique philosophy and a commitment to engineering excellence that we intend to maintain and build on across the next 50 years.”