New Alpina B8 Gran Coupe takes BMW’s 8 Series 4-door to another level
Alpina B8 Gran Coupe launched as a fresh take on the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe from the famous tuner.
Alpina has revealed the B8 Gran Coupe, its take on the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and a car that resurrects the B8 badge last used on an ultra-rare coupe from the nineties.
The B8 Gran Coupe gets a retuned version of the BMW M850i’s 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, now producing 613bhp and 800Nm of torque. Sending this output to all four wheels, it’s enough to take the 2.2-tonne super-saloon from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 201mph.
As is usually the case with Alpinas, though, the B8’s performance is designed to be available through a broader spectrum than the likes of BMW’s own M8. As such, the engine’s peak torque is available from just 2,000rpm, and the four-wheel steering system and suspension have been retuned to deliver greater high-speed cruising stability and comfort.
The car is four-wheel drive only (like the M850i) and uses a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s been remapped with Alpina’s own software and parameters. The exhaust is also different from BMW’s own unit and has been designed to both reduce back pressure and give a more appealing sound.
The exhaust is an active system, switchable for a more refined sound when cruising in Comfort mode, or a racier sound in Sport.
The chassis enhancements include adaptive dampers that offer Comfort+ and Sport+ settings alongside the two regular modes. The B8’s front struts feature hydro mounts to enhance the ride comfort, stiffer suspension strut support mounts provide greater vehicle stability too. Reinforced anti-roll bars on the front axle and stiffer lower wishbone mounts should improve control, too.
Styling mods include Alpina’s own specification of lower front splitter, and a subtle rear spoiler, as is traditional for the brand. The B8 Grand Coupe’s 21-inch multi-spoke alloys are recognisably Alpina in their design too,
Inside, the iDrive controller comes in crystal glass with an Alpina logo, and the standard equipment list includes heated seats and steering wheel, Merino leather upholstery and a Harman Kardon sound system.
Despite the power, weight and performance, claimed efficiency of 25.4mpg and 270g/km of CO2 emissions isn’t too bad.
The B8 Gran Coupe is available to order now, with prices starting from £134,950.
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