The days of the BMW 5-Series (G30/G31) will soon be numbered, and Bavarian carmaker Alpina is saying goodbye to the current model with one powerful last hurrah. The strictly limited B5 GT represents the high point in the development of the luxurious Alpina B5 based on the current platform, and only 250 units will be produced as sedan and touring versions.
The most powerful production Alpina ever is already available to order, with deliveries starting in July 2023. As you’d expect from the boutique manufacturer, the price is as exclusive as the car. At least €145,500 (P8.61 million) is being asked for the B5 GT sedan in Germany, with the B5 GT Touring station wagon starting at €148,500 (P8.79 million).
What you get for so much money is a beautiful-looking Alpina B5 that had its already powerful 4.4-liter V8 biturbo engine strengthened even further so that it now produces an additional 13hp and 50Nm. The power increase was achieved by a reworked airflow around the engine, optimized intake silencers, and an adjustment of the engine electronics.
In total, the eight-banger now delivers 634hp and pushes up to 850Nm of torque into the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. No series production engine assembled in the town of Buchloe has ever been more powerful.
The driving performance of the B5 GT is on par with many supercars, partially thanks to its all-wheel-drive system. The 2,055kg sedan takes just 3.4 seconds to rocket to 100km/h from a standing start, with the Touring version needing 3.6 seconds. The top speed stands at 330km/h for the sedan, and just a little less for the cargo carrier, making both veritable autobahn weapons.
To ensure it devours winding roads as well as it gobbles up high-speed highways, Alpina fitted a dome-bulkhead-strut to sharpen the steering, and also lowered the Touring version a little bit to reduce roll and lower the center of gravity.
Visually, the B5 GT can be recognized by the more pronounced front splitter and the small wings on the front apron, also known as canards. It rolls along on the well-known Alpina Classic 20-inch rims that have been finished in a dark bronze tone called Marron Volciano and feature discreet B5 GT lettering.
In addition to the standard colors Alpina Blue and Alpina Green, the firm will also deliver the car to you in special paints called Petrol Mica, Verde British Racing, Chalk, Imola Red, Daytona Violet, and Arctic Race Blue.
On the inside, passengers are greeted by black sports seats that are finished in either Nappa leather as standard, or in optional Merino or Lavalina leather, depending on the size of your wallet and your taste. All versions come with B5 GT lettering on the headrests, and the typical Alpina badge with sequential numbering on the center console.
An exclusive precious wood interior in Anthracite Walnut rounds off the look. Alpina may have been sold to BMW recently, but it seems the heart and the soul of this iconic brand are still very much alive. For that, we say: vielen dank.
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