2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe - Car and Driver
The B6’s 540-hp, 4. 4-liter twin-turbo V-8 is down 20 horsepower to the base M6’s, but the Alpina-modified engine makes 38 more lb-ft of torque and is fitted with new pistons, new turbochargers, and larger intercoolers. It’s basically the same engine that gives the existing Alpina B7 its full head of steam. In the B6, Alpina cites a 0-to-60 time of 3. 7 seconds—we concur—and unlike BMW-badged products, this car isn’t saddled with a governor. An indicated 180 mph is easily attained even in traffic, and stability at those speeds is superb, thanks to the copious aero pieces affixed by Alpina, which are said to achieve nearly zero lift. The chin spoiler incorporates a brake-cooling NACA duct underneath, and additional frontal cooling inlets help the B6 hit its terminal velocity without breaking a sweat. The silence is as golden as the inlaid Alpina emblems in the exclusive myrtle-wood cabin trim. Reddish in hue, the wood makes an already handsome environment even more so. The instrument panel and much of the cabin are wrapped in hide punctuated by Alpina’s special contrasting stitching. cars will have to make do with BMW’s factory extended-leather option. Alpina covered the floor in the rear-seat area with pony hide for one customer, but the standard-issue appointments are so delectable that we’d find it hard to justify ponying up any more money. Source: www.caranddriver.com
