BMW Alpina B6 S Coupé/Cabrio: An Overwhelming Engine Lurking Beneath the Air Outlets

BMW ALPINA B6 S COUPE/CABRIO

The Mighty Engine Lurking Beneath the Air Outlets

ALPINAWhen it comes to coupe models from ALPINA, we can point to the "BMW ALPINA 3.0 CSL Lightweight Coupe" that appeared in the early 1970s (ALPINA also participated in the development of the base model), the "BMW ALPINA B7 Turbo Coupe" from 1978, and the "BMW ALPINA B12 5.7 Coupe." All of these were highly regarded as grand tourers.BMWALPINA 3.0 CSL Lightweight Coupe" (ALPINA also participated in the development of the base model), the "BMW ALPINA B7 Turbo Coupe" from 1978, and the "BMW ALPINA B12 5.7 Coupe." All of these were highly regarded as grand tourers.
The latest model to inherit this tradition is the "BMW ALPINA B6 S." Based on the BMW "6 Series," it is available in two types: coupe and convertible.

The most obvious difference at first glance is the more pronounced bonnet. The two air outlets located in the center hint that the engine lurking beneath is no ordinary one. Indeed, the B6 S is powered by an engine that boasts an overwhelming output of 537 ps and a maximum torque of 74.0 kgm.
The 4.4-liter V8 is equipped with a "radial compressor" supercharger, delivering 200 ps at a low 2,500 rpm. This not only provides the effortless torque of a large-displacement engine but also excels at high revs, enabling powerful acceleration across a wide range of the tachometer.

The paired ALPINA Sport SWITCH-TRONIC allows for shift operation via buttons behind the steering wheel, and its rapid shift times are sure to ignite the driver's sporting spirit. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (4.8 seconds for the convertible) and reaches a top speed of 318 km/h (313 km/h for the convertible).

The acclaimed suspension was jointly developed with SACHS Race Engineering. While achieving neutral handling, it also retains the comfort expected of a grand tourer, which is a hallmark of ALPINA.

BRAND HISTORY
ALPINA, a German automobile manufacturer, dramatically enhances the appeal of BMW cars, which are already highly regarded for their sportiness and premium quality, through its unique technology.

The founder and current CEO, Burkhard Bovensiepen, was born in 1936 as the son of Rudolf Bovensiepen, who ran the office machine manufacturer "ALPINA." While the company dealt with typewriters and other products, Burkhard's interest turned to automobiles. He entered the field in 1961 by tuning the engine of a "BMW 1500," and then began full-scale development. In 1965, he established ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH, marking the beginning of ALPINA as an automobile manufacturer.

In addition to developing tuning parts, ALPINA also competed in touring car races, leveraging its technology to gain recognition in the world of motorsport. However, in 1977, the company concluded its racing activities and shifted its focus to becoming an automobile manufacturer.

The following year, 1978, saw the development of three models bearing its own name. Among them, the "BMW ALPINA B6 2.8" showcased overwhelming performance by equipping the BMW 3 Series, which only had four-cylinder engines at the time, with a six-cylinder engine.

Since then, ALPINA has produced legendary cars such as the "BMW ALPINA B10 Bi-Turbo" and "BMW ALPINA ROADSTER V8." The philosophy of creating cars that offer performance far exceeding the base model and exceptional handling, while maintaining a refined ride and luxurious interior, continues to be passed down to this day.