BMW Alpina B5 Biturbo 2019 new car review
First impressions are important, but they don’t tell the full story.
The Alpina B5 Biturbo is a perfect example. At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss this latest offering from the German tuning house as a glammed-up BMW 5-Series with an M5-rivaling price tag, which makes you wonder why anyone would pay more than $200k for a car from what is, in Australia at least, an obscure German firm instead of trusting the official BMW channel.
Take the time to get to know the B5 Biturbo though and it reveals itself to be a compelling proposition. It offers up something very different to what BMW does with its own 550i and M5 which positions it in a unique space within the Australian new car market that loves high-performance luxury cars.
Alpina may be very new to Australia, but the Bavarian based company has been modifying BMWs since the 1960s and is an official partner for the brand, even building large parts of its models on the BMW production line. For example, the engine in the B5 is built by BMW, modified by Alpina at its facility, then shipped back to BMW for installation on the production line before the car is then sent to Alpina for the body and interior modifications.
What do you get?
Alpina has a number of styling touches that have become become synonymous with its vehicles, such as the multi-spoke alloy wheels, bodykit (with Alpina branding) and optional Alpina decals down the flanks, all of which help separate it from a ‘regular’ BMW.
Alpina’s other upgrades to the 550i (which isn't officially offered in Australia anyway) include a new suspension system, high-performance brakes with Alpina blue calipers, an Akrapovic stainless steel exhaust, a unique Alpina instrument cluster and door sills with its logo. That’s on top of the BMW gear, which includes adaptive LED headlights, a head-up display, keyless entry and ignition, Harman/Kardon surround sound system, digital radio, navigation and surround view parking cameras.
It’s a lot of car, but it’s also a lot of money, starting at $210,000 (plus on-road costs) which is only $19,990 cheaper than the M5 Competition.
The B5 is covered by a three-year warranty from Alpina and is also part of BMW’s Service Inclusive program, which means you’ll be spending $1765 for the first three years of maintenance.
What’s inside?
Of course, the standard equipment is just the starting point. Alpina allows owners to customise their cars with a huge variety of colour and trim options so how it looks is largely up to you.
Our test car features a black-on-black colour scheme, with the cabin finishes in black leather and high-gloss black trim. Personal preference aside it’s a very nicely executed cabin, with a high quality presentation and finish. The seats in particular look and feel great with detailed stitching and soft leather.
The bright blue Alpina gauges give it an obvious visual point of difference between the 550i and marks it out as something special right away.
The B5 benefits from the latest 5-Series’ generous cabin, with plenty of room for four adults inside. The rear seats are finished to the same high quality as the front chairs, with supple leather and intricate stitching. Whether driver or passenger, the B5 pampers its occupants.
There’s plenty of luggage room too, accessed via a power opening and closing boot with a claimed 530-litres according to BMW.
Under the bonnet
The 550i starts with a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine producing a very respectable 340kW of power and 650Nm of torque. Alpina’s boffins work their magic and, with changes to the air intake system and turbochargers, power is bumped to 447kW and torque increases to a whopping 800Nm. That’s an extra 50Nm more than the M5’s same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.
Regardless of how it stacks up on paper compared to the M5, the B5 motor is a gem. It delivers that torque in a steady stream across the middle of the rev range so whenever you need more speed the engine is ready, willing and able to provide.
Put your foot down hard and even with all-wheel drive and big Pirelli P Zero tyres (255/35 front and 295/30 rears) all that torque can overwhelm the B5’s attempts at traction. This is a seriously quick sports sedan, as Alpina claims a 0-100km/h time of just 3.5-seconds and a top speed of 330km/h.
But while it can be as ferocious as a lion, it can also be as gentle as a pussy cat if you leave the drive mode in Comfort and have a gentle right foot. All that torque means a smooth and effortless nature when cruising around town.
The Akrapovic exhaust adds another layer of appeal too, allowing the engine to emit a deep growl under hard acceleration while also keeping it quiet and restrained when cruising.
On the road
That dual personality transfers to the way it drives, blending its speed and aggression with its practical and liveable character. That’s because Alpina values comfort and luxury just as highly as it does performance.
The result is an engaging sports limousine but one with more compliance than its official M Division cousin, so the ride is significantly nicer. It soaks up bumps rather than crashing over them as the M5 is want to do at times.
This level of comfort is arguably the biggest separating factor between the B5 and M5, and while never feeling quite as sharp on the limit as the BMW there’s no doubt the Alpina is an easier vehicle to live with on a day-to-day basis
However, there is a catch. Despite being a luxury limo, the Alpina bodykit - specifically the bigger front lip spoiler - means you need to treat the B5 like a sports car at times, watching out for speed bumps, dips and any other sharp angles lest the front end scraps.
Being based on a 5-Series the Alpina also comes with BMW’s latest active safety features, so there’s even mild autonomous functionality that only adds to that feeling of luxury.
Verdict
I’ll confess that my first impression of the Alpina B5 was not positive. Personally I’m not a fan of the retro styling, particularly the decals running down the sides and I wondered why on earth anyone would pay such a vast sum of money for what is ultimately a modified BMW.
Then I drove it and discovered an incredibly capable and comfortable sports sedan than has an almost ideal blend of speed and sophistication.
I like it so much that given the choice between the B5 and M5 I’d probably lean in favour of the Alpina’s easier everyday nature.
2019 BMW Alpina B5 Biturbo pricing and specifications
Price: From $210,000 plus on-road costs
Engine: 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Power: 447kW at 5750-6250rpm
Torque: 800Nm at 3000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 10.5L/100km
The Competitors
BMW M5 Competition
Price: From $229,900 plus on-roads
Engine: 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Power: 460kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 750Nm at 1800-5860rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 10.6L/100km
Our score: 8.5/10
Mercedes-AMG E63
Price: From $209,610 plus on-road costs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin turbo petrol
Power: 420kW at 6500rpm
Torque: 750Nm at 2250-5000rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 9.3L/100km
Our score: 8/10
Porsche Panamera 3.0
Price: From $216,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
Power: 243kW at 5400-6400rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 1340-4900rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, RWD
Fuel use: 7.6L/100km
Our score: 8/10