2011 Alpina B5 Gets Debuted

Look at  what the Goodwood Festival of Speed hath brought us: the Alpina B5. Alpina and BMW have a long history together, as the company started its BMW tuning business in 1965.

The company has been successful in its efforts - the recently introduced Alpina B7 offered an option to those looking for more performance in the 7-Series. Next in line? The 5-Series, dubbed the B5 Bi-Turbo.

Updates to the exterior are tasteful and few, with a subtle body kit. In the rear, there is a spoiler, two double-ended-pipes and a rear diffuser that has the option to be deleted as needed.

Alpina says the diffuser delete is available should a customer "desire the optional ability to tow a trailer." Really now, towing a trailer in this?

Just because the changes are small though, don't think they aren't effective. They can reduce lift by up to 60% in the front and 30% in the rear at certain speeds. Impressive to say the least!

The biggest changes are - surprise - under the hood. As predicted by many, the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo gets the same engine in the B7.

That means a power output of 507 horsepower and 516 pound feet of torque from the 4.4-liter unit. The engined is mated to an 8-speed automatic that Alpina co-developed with ZF.

To handle all that power, Alpina updated the suspension as well, which it says is "relaxingly comfortable."

The car is equipped with Variable Damper Control that enables the driver to select among Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ suspension modes. This system has been re-calibrated by Alpina and is activated by a switch on the dash.

To round off the changes, Alpina fitted their classic Myrtle wood trim and Lavalina leather switch-tronic steering wheel, along with blue gauges using black-panel LCD technology.

The special wood trim is only found on the West Coast of the United States, and Alpina says it is "cultivated from dedicated Laurel tree groves grown for just this purpose." You learn something new every day!

No word on pricing yet, but expect it to be a pretty penny. However, the car should make a good holdover for Alpina devotees and those looking for a high-performance model of the new 5 quicker than the M5 can get here.