Alpina B5 GT 2023: faster than an M5 CS, but 60.000 euros cheaper

Alpina presented the most powerful model in its history as preparer of BMW. This is the B5GT, a car based on the current BMW 5 Series (G30 generation). This Available both with a sedan body (4 doors and 3 volumes) and a wagon (5 doors and 2 volumes). Its gasoline engine, a V8 biturbo with 4,4 liters displacement, develops a maximum of 634 CV of power. So just 1 CV less than the BMW M5 CS, the most radical “series” version that the German manufacturer has created for this vehicle. It has already been discontinued.

The Alpina B5 GT will produce a total of 250 units and it may be one of the last projects of this company, at least independently, since the BMW Group acquired the specialist in question last year and his plans with him from 2025 are still unknown. It is known that he will leave his facilities in Buchloe (Germany), where he still carries out his modifications.

This car has been equipped with a specific aerodynamic kit that improves the cooling of the mechanics compared to the “normal” B5. The tires are different too., with multiradio design, gold color and 20 inches, covering a braking system signed by Brembo and made up of discs with a diameter of 395 mm at the front and 398 mm at the rear (unconventional measurements in the industry, as those placed on the first axis are usually larger). Your customers can choose between seven different shades for exterior paint and three for decorative vinyl, although Alpina makes it clear that everything is customizable with an additional cost.

In the passenger compartment there are elements as exclusive as a leather lined roof, a sound system provided by Harman Kardon, several walnut wood trim and a multitude of emblems with the name of the model. The dashboard is fully covered with natural leather, like the upholstery (Dakota, Merino or Lavalina in black with blue details). Near the gear selector (its gearbox is automatic by torque converter), there is a stainless steel plate indicating the number of the limited series to which each unit belongs.

Thanks to a 100 Nm increase in torque compared to a BMW M5 CS (from 750 to 850), despite having practically the same power peak, Alpina assures that this car can reach 330 km / h top speed (322 in the case of the B5 GT Touring, with family bodywork). It is a lot for this class of vehicle, very heavy (in fact, it is 25 km/h more than the lighter M5 CS). In return, to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h it takes 3,4 seconds (3,6 if you opt for the 5-door variant and greater boot capacity), which is 4 tenths more than what the M5 CS needs to perform the same operation. Traction is all-round in any of the cases.

The notable improvements in the performance of the B5 GT 2023 are due to a new intake duct, better optimized than the standard one, since a reprogramming of the engine control unit that requires more pressure from the turbochargers. Still, the Alpina is around 60.000 euros cheaper than the BMW M5 CS cost and barely 5.000 euros more expensive than a "conventional" M5. Its price in Germany starts from 145.500 euros (148.500 if the Touring version is desired).

Source - Alpina