B6 BMW Alpina B6 Biturbo (TEST)

[DeDe]

BMW Alpina B6 Biturbo (TEST)

 

[Levi68]

Before the difference and which was better between top BMW (modified), BMW Alpina and BMW M was discussable. Now, there seems to be no better alternative than a BMW M car, unless one needs AWD. Next M3/M4 will undeniably be the best of the range. Unlike now, where a modded 335i can be almost as fast as an M3, and the B3 won comparisions against the M3, the next M3/M4 will be unbeatable, again unless one wishes AWD. But in the case of the 3 Series, I do not think AWD is necessary, even to to take into account better launch.

 

[DeDe]

Before the difference and which was better between top BMW (modified), BMW Alpina and BMW M was discussable. Now, there seems to be no better alternative than a BMW M car, unless one needs AWD. Next M3/M4 will undeniably be the best of the range. Unlike now, where a modded 335i can be almost as fast as an M3, and the B7 won comparisions against the M3, the next M3/M4 will be unbeatable, again unless one wishes AWD. But in the case of the 3 Series, I do not think AWD is necessary, even to to take into account better launch.

I remember the comparison of AutoBild Sportscars where the B3 S Biturbo was just as fast as the M3 Competition, on the track and at the straightline as well - with less power, slower gearbox and longer gearing. It was also comfortable.
This new B6 is a great alternative for the M6 - on the same day it would be closer to the Bimmer in terms of performance... 32 Degrees C is bad for the twin-turbo engine.

 

[Levi68]

I remember the comparison of AutoBild Sportscars where the B3 S Biturbo was just as fast as the M3 Competition, on the track and at the straightline as well - with less power, slower gearbox and longer gearing. It was also comfortable.
This new B6 is a great alternative for the M6 - on the same day it would be closer to the Bimmer in terms of performance... 32 Degrees C is bad for the twin-turbo engine.

Isn't there something wrong with the given weight of the BMW Alpina B6? Or maybe with the BMW 650i? Or M6?

Offcial weights are the following:

BMW 550i 1905 kg EU
BMW Alpina B5 1920 kg DIN
BMW M5 1945 kg EU
BMW 650i 1870 kg EU
BMW Alpina B6 1870 kg DIN
BMW M6 1925 kg EU
BMW 750i 2015 kg EU
BMW Alpina B7 2040 kg DIN

To get DIN wieght of BMW's and BMW M's you have to substract 75 kg (driver which is 68 kg and luguage which are 7 kg). Weight of M6 given by BMW is 1925 kg (EU). Substract 75 kg you get 1850 kg DIN, what makes it 20 kg lighter than B6 and 55 kg heavier than 650i (1870-75=1795 kg DIN), so B6 is 75 kg heavier than 650i. However here in this comparision we have the B6 being 75 kg heavier than the M6.
For me it seems alot, especially when M6 has a more complex engine the the B6, which is the same as the 650i but with, new turbos, new cats and reprogramed ECU. Unless there are some other technical differences, I doubt it can weigh that much more. And I don't think it is a question of options, as fot all three cars there is the same number of options you can tick, there is non that is better equiped than the other (except standard LED headlight for M6).

Back to M6, its weight according to BMW is 1850 kg DIN, that is with 90%. Knowing the M6 has a tank capacity of 80l and that RON 98 weighs about 0,75kg/l, 80l of RON 98 would weigh exactly 60 kg. 90% of 80l would be 72l. 72l of RON 98 weigh 54 kg. The different is of only 7 kg. If if add the 7 kg to, the DIN weight of M6 we get 1857 kg, short 35 kg given by AutoSport. Not really an issue, could depend on options and just not accurate figures by BMW. B6 has only a 60l tank. Full tank would weight 45 kg. We just have to add 5 kg to the weight given by Alpina which gives us 1875 kg. That is more than 90 kg difference from what Autosport measures. There is just no way the weight difference is big. The M6 has a bigger weight difference compared to 650i than M5 to 550i because of its CF roof and maybe other parts.

Somewhere there must be a mistake.

 

[DeDe]

Isn't there something wrong with the given weight of the BMW Alpina B6? Or maybe with the BMW 650i? Or M6?

Offcial weights are the following:

BMW 550i 1905 kg EU
BMW Alpina B5 1920 kg DIN
BMW M5 1945 kg EU
BMW 650i 1870 kg EU
BMW Alpina B6 1870 kg DIN
BMW M6 1925 kg EU
BMW 750i 2015 kg EU
BMW Alpina B7 2040 kg DIN

To get DIN wieght of BMW's and BMW M's you have to substract 75 kg (driver which is 68 kg and luguage which are 7 kg). Weight of M6 given by BMW is 1925 kg (EU). Substract 75 kg you get 1850 kg DIN, what makes it 20 kg lighter than B6 and 55 kg heavier than 650i (1870-75=1795 kg DIN), so B6 is 75 kg heavier than 650i. However here in this comparision we have the B6 being 75 kg heavier than the M6.
For me it seems alot, especially when M6 has a more complex engine the the B6, which is the same as the 650i but with, new turbos, new cats and reprogramed ECU. Unless there are some other technical differences, I doubt it can weigh that much more. And I don't think it is a question of options, as fot all three cars there is the same number of options you can tick, there is non that is better equiped than the other (except standard LED headlight for M6).

Back to M6, its weight according to BMW is 1850 kg DIN, that is with 90%. Knowing the M6 has a tank capacity of 80l and that RON 98 weighs about 0,75kg/l, 80l of RON 98 would weigh exactly 60 kg. 90% of 80l would be 72l. 72l of RON 98 weigh 54 kg. The different is of only 7 kg. If if add the 7 kg to, the DIN weight of M6 we get 1857 kg, short 35 kg given by AutoSport. Not really an issue, could depend on options and just not accurate figures by BMW. B6 has only a 60l tank. Full tank would weight 45 kg. We just have to add 5 kg to the weight given by Alpina which gives us 1875 kg. That is more than 90 kg difference from what Autosport measures. There is just no way the weight difference is big. The M6 has a bigger weight difference compared to 650i than M5 to 550i because of its CF roof and maybe other parts.

Somewhere there must be a mistake.

Sport Auto numbers seems to be OK, they measured the weight with full tank of fuel, without any luggage.

 

[Levi68]

Sport Auto numbers seems to be OK, they measured the weight with full tank of fuel, without any luggage.

So BMW and Alpina number must be wrong. Maybe shame to show how heavy the cars are?

 

[MathewBMW]

Before the difference and which was better between top BMW (modified), BMW Alpina and BMW M was discussable. Now, there seems to be no better alternative than a BMW M car, unless one needs AWD. Next M3/M4 will undeniably be the best of the range. Unlike now, where a modded 335i can be almost as fast as an M3, and the B3 won comparisions against the M3, the next M3/M4 will be unbeatable, again unless one wishes AWD. But in the case of the 3 Series, I do not think AWD is necessary, even to to take into account better launch.

And it's just a question of time in BMW M adopting the xDrive system. The 2013 Mercedes-AMG models (E63 & CLS63) were released with a huge focus on the 4MATIC.

Alpina has two solutions:

1) Engine swap, like Manhart and some G-Power versions do. S63Tü unit inside the future 4-Series (Alpina B4 S V8 Biturbo), just an example. But don't know if there is plenty market for this.

2) Relying on faithful customers and pray for the best!

 

[Human]

Alpina B6 Biturbo first drive review

Niche car maker goes large with its re-purposed twin-turbo V8 6-series

What is it?

Rumour has it that the next big thing from Alpina will be a six-cylinder, twin-turbo D3 that can live with a BMW M3 in a straight line yet return more than 50mpg at the same time.
But that car won’t be available until quite a bit later in the year, and in the meantime Alpina has a whole range of other new cars with which to tickle the fancies of enthusiasts wanting more exclusivity from their fast BMWs, starting with the car you see here, the frankly monstrous new B6 Biturbo coupé.
Everything about the B6 is, shall we say, large. Beneath its bonnet sits a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 that produces 532bhp between 5200 and 6250rpm and a positively herculean 538lb ft at just 2800rpm.
The gearbox is a tweaked version of the eight-speed ZF automatic used in the regular 6-series, in this case enhanced by Alpina’s engineers to prevent upshifts in certain modes (which is useful on a circuit, for example) and to momentarily cut the flow of fuel and deliver a lovely burble between gearshifts as a result.
The chassis has also been preened by Alpina to provide a wider range of set-ups than in the standard BMW 6-series. So in Comfort mode the ride quality is softer than you get in a regular BMW, while in Sport and Sport Plus it’s the other way around, with the electronic dampers sharpening up the driving experience to a level that no regular BMW driver would quite recognise.
The same philosophy applies to the interior, in which you’ll find a far higher quality of leather than in a factory BMW, plus a set of dials and seats that are bespoke to the B6.
And if that’s not sufficient to distinguish the car, Alpina also offers a vast range of options that enable B6 owners to personalise their cars to whatever specification they require – while spending a great deal of money in the process, of course.
What is it like?

Outwardly, you can pick a B6 from lesser 6-series for several reasons. Not only does it come with Alpina’s big, beautiful 20in turbine alloys, but there’s also a new front splitter that reduces lift by as much as 10 per cent, says Alpina, while at the back there’s a small new lip spoiler or, if you’re feeling flamboyant, an optional new tea-tray wing that makes even better use of the redesigned rear diffuser.
On the road the B6 feels massively rapid, thanks mainly to the torque it produces from seemingly any engine speed and in any gear. The way the transmission manages the flow of energy is truly epic, and it gives the B6 a blend of smooth but monumental acceleration that no factory BMW, not even the M6, could hope to replicate on the move.
The exhaust note is rather delicious too, Alpina’s modifications gifting the B6 with a depth and range of noises that are endlessly entertaining to listen to.
Despite the chassis modifications, the B6 always feels like a fairly big car on the move. Its kerb weight of 1870kg means it is always going to fight a losing battle against the forces of inertia that swell during rapid direction changes or, indeed, under braking.
The steering is a touch distant in its feedback, too, even though the front end always feels planted – as does the tail – if and when you aim the B6 at a high-speed corner with some enthusiasm.

SOURCE: Alpina B6 Biturbo Review (2019) | Autocar