When you think the regular BMW 8-Series isn’t discerning enough, the Alpina B8 could be the “Gran Coupe” you want to drive.
The romance of a long road trip across the country starts with the right car. The Alpina B8 can be that car with a high level of comfort and tons of top-shelf features to go along with the sleek and stylish sportiness offered. The Alpina comes with all of the desirable features you want, and it certainly should consider its position above the regular 8-Series. Let’s explore what makes this car the right choice for discerning drivers.
The long relationship between BMW and Alpina
BMW acquired Alpina last year, but the relationship between these two companies dates back several decades. The official Alpina name is Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co., and the relationship with BMW began in 1962 when they designed a Weber dual carb feature for the 1500 model. In 1965, Alpina had eight employees and a thriving BMW tuning business with a strong emphasis on racing. This emphasis was proven with the European Touring Car Championship win in 1970.
Alpina became a certified automaker in 1983, which meant cars tuned by this team were able to be registered under the Alpina brand name while still being serviced by BMW dealerships. This gave drivers the best of both worlds. The current Alpina B8 is almost entirely handmade from the base 8-Series.
What makes an Alpina special?
Unlike the M versions of BMW cars, the Alpina models take things a step further and have a different team applying the special items that make these cars interesting. The B8 utilizes the same 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the regular M850i, but it’s tuned to 612 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. In the M850i, the engine delivers 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The B8 can hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and offers a 201 mph top speed. The only 8-Series car to deliver faster performance is the M8 Competition, which reaches 60 mph in 2.7 seconds.
In addition to the power upgrades found in the engine, the Alpina B8 also has performance improvements over the M850i. The Alpina version comes with AWD, rear-wheel steering, a limited-slip differential, and a refined sports suspension. These features help harness the power and create a much faster driving time around any track when put against the M850i. This Alpina model also features a discreet rear spoiler, larger air intakes, and a low front spoiler.
Looking inside, you’ll find an attractive brown-and-cream leather style that makes this car look posh and luxurious. This leather is complemented by the ash black and silver wood trim, giving this car the upscale feeling that makes it feel right at its nearly $150,000 price point.
What does the Alpina B8 include?
In addition to styling and performance elements, the Alpina team gave this car some impressive features to warrant the nearly $40,000 price increase over the M850i. Some of these items are:
- Front and rear heated seats
- Heated armrests
- Twin 12.3-inch display screens
- 1,400-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system
- Adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams
- M Sport ventilated brakes and differential
- Full safety suite
- Remote engine starting
- Cut-crystal glass shifter
- iDrive Controller and start button
- 21-inch wheel
Is this car comfortable during long road trips?
Set the Alpina B8 in comfort mode, and you’ll realize it is still a little firm, but that’s expected of a performance sedan. Even in this setting, you’ll enjoy carving up the corners with confidence, enabling this car to be tossable around the bends and more fun when you avoid the interstates and let it loose on a canyon road. This amazing car is perfect for nearly every road trip, especially if it’s just you or you and one other person in the car.
Are there any negatives to the B8?
If you’re planning to take more than one passenger along for the ride, the rear seats leave something to be desired. Only two passengers can ride in the rear, and taller passengers won’t be as comfortable as you’d like them to be. Still, most passengers will be comfortable in the rear, and the 16 cubic-foot trunk means all of your gear can fit in this car.
The BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe requires you to compromise slightly for the drive, but it delivers the high-end luxury to make every road trip special. This car will turn heads and show off wherever you go because it’s likely the only one of its kind on the road. This car is the balanced car you’ll love to drive.
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