Alpina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Not to be confused with Renault Alpine, Alpina Productos Alimenticios, or Alpina Žiri.

Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH

Type	Public, GmbH
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1965
Headquarters	Buchloe, Germany
Key people	Burkard Bovensiepens
Products	Automobiles
Website	alpina-automobile.de

Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH is an automobile manufacturing company based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany selling their own cars, based on BMW cars.
Alpina works closely with BMW and their processes are integrated into BMW's production lines, thus Alpina is recognized by TÜV as an automobile manufacturer, in contrast to other performance specialists which are aftermarket tuners. For instance, the Alpina B7 is produced at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, along with BMW's own 7-Series. For the 2011 model year, the B7's twin-turbo 4.4-litre BMW V8 is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.^[1]^[2]

[hide]

[edit] History

BMW Alpina 3.0 CSL (1974), driven by Helmut Koinigg

Alpina was founded by Burkard Bovensiepen (b. 1936) in 1965 as Burkard Bovensiepen KG in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria in southern Germany. The original name can be traced to Dr. Rudolf Bovensiepen, his father, whose company produced office machinery.
Although Alpina started by producing typewriters, the original Alpina ceased to exist at the end of the 1960s in their attempt to move into the textile industry. In 1965, Burkard established a BMW tuning business, following his success with investments in the stock market. He started the tuning business in an outbuilding of the original Alpina typewriter factory. The company worked on carburetors and revised cylinder heads. By 1970, with seventy employees, the original facility changed locations from Kaufbeuren to Buchloe.
Between 1968 and 1977, Alpina cars did very well in competition. The highlight was in 1970, when the team's cars won the European Touring Car Championship, the German Hillclimb Championship, rally and track racing championships and the prestigious Spa 24 Hours.

[edit] Brand distinctions

Since the late 1970s Alpina has been recognized by TÜV as an automobile manufacturer, thus Alpina-built cars are branded and registered as Alpina instead of BMW, although an Alpina can be bought and serviced at local BMW dealerships, and covered if there is a warranty issue.
Distinctive features of Alpina vehicles are 20 spoke alloy wheels, "Alpina Blue" patented metallic paint, in addition to expensive interior materials used to fabricate the exclusive interior appointments. A typical blue and green pattern (same as in the logo) is often used on interior parts such as stitchings on leather and different fabrics used in the upholstery. A thin, almost pinstripe like outside body decor set in gold or silver is also a trademark of Alpina cars. A metal plate inside also proves the heritage and the serial number of the car.
Compared to cars from BMW's in-house motorsport-rooted subsidiary, BMW M, Alpina's vehicles have more emphasis on luxury, higher torque, and have automatic transmissions instead of manual or semi-automatic transmissions.^[3] For instance, regarding the high performance variants of the BMW E60 5-Series, the B5 offers a different take on performance and how to accomplish it. Unlike BMW M's own M5 which has a naturally aspirated, high-revving 5.0L V10, the Alpina B5 uses a supercharged 4.4L V8 which produces similar horsepower and remarkably greater torque at lower rpm.

[edit] Current lineup

Alpina D3 Biturbo

ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo Sedan / Touring and Coupe based on the BMW E90/E91/E92 with 123d engine - 214 PS (157 kW; 211 hp) / 450 N·m (332 lb·ft)
ALPINA B3 S Bi-Turbo Sedan / Touring / Coupe and Cabrio: based on the BMW E90/E91/E92/E93 335i 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp) / 400 N·m (295 lb·ft). This model can be ordered with RWD or AWD.
ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series - featuring a 4.4 L V8 Bi-Turbo engine, also used in the Alpina B7 507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp) / 700 N·m (516 lb·ft)
ALPINA B6 Bi-Turbo Coupé/Convertible: based on the BMW F12/F13 6 Series - featuring a 4.4 L V8 Bi-Turbo engine. 540 PS (397 kW; 533 hp) / 730 N·m (538 lb·ft)
ALPINA D5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series - featuring a 3 L straight 6 Bi-Turbo engine, delivering 350 PS (257 kW; 345 hp).
ALPINA B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F01 7 Series - featuring a 4.4 L V8 Bi-Turbo engine 507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp) / 700 N·m (516 lb·ft)^[4]^[5]

[edit] Alpina B7

At the present, the only Alpina car offered in the USA has been the Alpina B7.^[6] The B7 is produced at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, along with BMW's own 7-Series.
BMW permitted Alpina to produce a high-performance version of its flagship 7-Series, however they did not want it to be a high-revving, BMW M version (which would have been known as a "BMW M7" under the current nomenclature). It has also been suggested that there was no market for an M7 that would have featured the BMW M's trademark high-rev engine and twin-clutch semi-automatic transmission, and most customers who desired a performance option in the 7 Series would have gone for the V12-engined BMW 760Li.^[7]
Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and Audi S8.^[5]

[edit] E65 B7

For the E65 7-Series generation, the Alpina B7 was widely credited with being able to hold its own against top performing offerings from Mercedes (including AMG) such as the S600 and S63 AMG, Audi (particularly quattro's Audi S8), the Bentley Flying Spur, and Jaguar XJ Supercharged, while BMW's own top-of-the-line V12 760Li was considered uncompetitive.^[8]
The E65 B7 uses a supercharged version of the 4.4-litre V8 found in the BMW 745i as the 750i and its 4.8-litre engine were not around when development began.^[8] The 760Li's naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 was deemed too heavy to have a sporty offshoot.^[3]^[9]^[10] The 2011 Alpina B7, with its twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, is less expensive and yet faster than its F01 stablemate, the 2010 BMW 760Li powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The B7's engine, derived from the BMW N63 that is found in the standard BMW lineup, matches the BMW 750i in fuel economy despite increased performance, plus its lighter weight than the 760Li's V12 engine gives the B7 considerably better weight distribution and handling than the 760Li.^[1]^[2]
BMW of North America, LLC offered 800 Alpina B7s as limited edition models for 2007 and 2008, which all quickly sold out.^[6]

[edit] F01 B7

2012 Alpina B7 L (long wheelbase), based on the F02 model BMW. It is equipped with 20-spoke, 21-inch "Alpina Classic" wheels.

The F01 B7 will be offered again for the 2011 model year in the USA, with approximately 500 vehicles (half of the annual production of the B7) with a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and/or a standard or long wheelbase (the B7, B7 L (long wheelbase), B7 xDrive (all-wheel drive), and B7 L xDrive), otherwise all configurations have the same equipment.^[2]^[11] Roughly 80 models will be sold in Canada, all of the xDrive variety due to that country's winter weather.^[7]
The B7's twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.^[1]^[2] It is based upon BMW's twin-turbo V8 but produces considerable more torque and horsepower, albeit with some turbo lag due to the larger turbos, yet more measured throttle mapping makes the B7 smoother than a stock BMW 750i.[1]
While BMW uses run-flat tires for its 7 Series, the B7 comes with non-reinforced tires with a tire repair kit for emergencies. By using conventional, softer-sidewalled tires, compared to the reinforced sidewalls of run-flats, Alpina engineers were able to stiffen the B7's suspension for better handling and still improve the ride quality over that of a stock BMW 750i. ^[7]
For the 2013 model year, the Alpina B7 received similar updates to the rest of the 7 Series lineup, including an 8-speed automatic transmission, while its engine adds Valvetronic and now produces 540 hp and 538 pound-feet of torque, which is good for a 0 to 100 km time of just 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h. Compared to BMW M's version of the 4.4L twin-turbo engine (such as found in the F10 BMW M5), Alpina's engine has 20 hp less but more maximum torque which is also available at a lower rpm.^[7]
The 2013 Alpina B7 handles better than BMW's own 760Li V12.^[12]

[edit] Alpina B3 GT3

To celebrate Alpina's victory in the 2011 ADAC GT Masters with an Alpina B6 GT3, Alpina decided to produce a limited run of the Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo, called the Alpina B3 GT3.^[13] Modifications on the exhaust system (especially developed in collaboration with Akrapovic) increased power to 300 kW (408 PS; 402 bhp). The brake system and suspension are upgraded and designed for intensive usage.
But the most noticeable is the exterior: The B3 GT3 sports a carbon fibre rear wing, a special front splitter and 19" lightweight Alpina GT3 Classic wheels, painted in Himalaya Grey. The B3 GT3 is available in Black Sapphire metallic, Mineral White metallic, Alpina Blue metallic or with a full body vinyl wrap in the official GT3 design. The car can be ordered with an extra set of lightweight wheels (also 19" Alpina GT3 Classic, but equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup+ tyres) for use on the track.
Only 99 units will be produced.

Previous models

[edit] Petrol engines

Alpina Previous Models (Petrol engines)^[14]^[15]
Alpina model	BMW donor model	Alpina Engine	Power	Torque	Production
A1/3	E21 320	A1/3	90 kW (122 PS; 121 bhp) @ 5800	170 N·m (130 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1975–1977
A2/3	E21 320	A2/3	112 kW (152 PS; 150 bhp) @ 6900	173 N·m (128 ft·lbf) @ 5500	1975–1977
A4/3	E21 320i	A4/3	119 kW (162 PS; 160 bhp) @ 6700	180 N·m (130 ft·lbf) @ 5500	1976–1977
A4S/3	E21 320i	A4S/3	125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) @ 6700	180 N·m (130 ft·lbf) @ 5500	1976–1977
C1 2,3	E21 323i	C1	125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) @ 6000	210 N·m (150 ft·lbf) @ 4500	1980–1983
B6 2,8	E21 323i	B6	147 kW (200 PS; 197 bhp) @ 6200	248 N·m (183 ft·lbf) @ 4500	1978–1981
B6 2,8	E21 323i	B6	160 kW (218 PS; 215 bhp) @ 6000	265 N·m (195 ft·lbf) @ 5000	1981–1983
C1 2,3 / 1	E30 323i	C1/1	125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) @ 6000	225 N·m (166 ft·lbf) @ 5000	1983–1985
C1 2,5	E30 325i	C2/3	140 kW (190 PS; 188 bhp) @ 5800	235 N·m (173 ft·lbf) @ 5000	1983–1985
C2 2,5	E30 325i	C2	136 kW (185 PS; 182 bhp) @ 5800	246 N·m (181 ft·lbf) @ 4800	1986-1986
C2 2,7	E30 325i	C2/1	154 kW (209 PS; 207 bhp) @ 5800	267 N·m (197 ft·lbf) @ 4500	1986–1987
C2 2,7	E30 325i	C2/2	149 kW (203 PS; 200 bhp) @ 6000	265 N·m (195 ft·lbf) @ 4800	1987-1987
B3 2,7	E30 325i	C2/2	150 kW (204 PS; 201 bhp) @ 6000	265 N·m (195 ft·lbf) @ 4800	1987–1992
B6 2,8 / 1	E30 323i/325i	B6/2	154 kW (209 PS; 207 bhp) @ 6100	270 N·m (200 ft·lbf) @ 5000	1984–1986
B6 3,5	E30 323i/325i	B10/2	192 kW (261 PS; 257 bhp) @ 6000	346 N·m (255 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1985–1987
B6 3,5	E30 325i	B10/3	187 kW (254 PS; 251 bhp) @ 5900	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1986–1987
B6 3,5	E30 325i	B10/5	187 kW (254 PS; 251 bhp) @ 5900	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1987–1990
B6 3,5 S	E30 M3	B10/5	187 kW (254 PS; 251 bhp) @ 5900	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1987–1990
B6 2,8	E36 325i	E1	177 kW (241 PS; 237 bhp) @ 5900	293 N·m (216 ft·lbf) @ 4700	1992–1993
B3 3,0	E36 325i	E3	184 kW (250 PS; 247 bhp) @ 5700	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4400	1993–1996
B3 3,2	E36 328i	E4	195 kW (265 PS; 261 bhp) @ 5800	330 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4400	1996–1999
B8 4,6	E36 328i	F2/1	245 kW (333 PS; 329 bhp) @ 5700	470 N·m (350 ft·lbf) @ 3900	1995–1998
B3 3,3	E46 328i	E4/4	206 kW (280 PS; 276 bhp) @ 6200	335 N·m (247 ft·lbf) @ 4500	1999–2002
B3 3,3 ALLRAD	E46 330ix	E4/8	206 kW (280 PS; 276 bhp) @ 6200	335 N·m (247 ft·lbf) @ 4500	2001–2005
B3 S	E46 330i	E5/1	224 kW (305 PS; 300 bhp) @ 6300	362 N·m (267 ft·lbf) @ 4800	2002–2006
B3 Bi-Turbo	E90/E91/E92/E93 335i	K2	265 kW (360 PS; 355 bhp) @ 5500	500 N·m (370 ft·lbf) @ 3800	2007–2010
B3 Bi-Turbo Allrad	E90/E91/E92 335xi	K2	265 kW (360 PS; 355 bhp) @ 5500	500 N·m (370 ft·lbf) @ 3800	2008–2010
B7 Turbo	E12 528i	B7	221 kW (300 PS; 296 bhp) @ 6000	462 N·m (341 ft·lbf) @ 3000	1978–1982
B7 S Turbo	E12 528i	B7S	243 kW (330 PS; 326 bhp) @ 5800	500 N·m (370 ft·lbf) @ 3000	1981–1982
B9 3,5	E28 528i	B9	180 kW (245 PS; 241 bhp) @ 5700	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1981–1983
B9 3,5 / 1	E28 528i	B9/1	180 kW (245 PS; 241 bhp) @ 5700	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1983–1985
B7 Turbo / 1	E28 528i/535i	B7/1	221 kW (300 PS; 296 bhp) @ 5800	501 N·m (370 ft·lbf) @ 3000	1984–1987
B10 3,5	E28 535i	B10	192 kW (261 PS; 257 bhp) @ 5800	346 N·m (255 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1985–1987
B7 Turbo / 1	E28 535i	B7/3	235 kW (320 PS; 315 bhp) @ 5700	520 N·m (380 ft·lbf) @ 2400	1986–1987
B10 3,5 / 1	E34 535i	B11/3	187 kW (254 PS; 251 bhp) @ 6000	325 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1988–1992
B10 Bi-Turbo	E34 535i	B7/5	265 kW (360 PS; 355 bhp) @ 6000	520 N·m (380 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1989–1994
B10 3,0 ALLRAD	E34 525ix	E3/1	170 kW (231 PS; 228 bhp) @ 5800	312 N·m (230 ft·lbf) @ 4200	1993–1996
B10 4,0	E34 540i	F1	232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) @ 5800	410 N·m (300 ft·lbf) @ 4600	1993–1996
B10 4,6	E34 540i	F2	250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) @ 5700	480 N·m (350 ft·lbf) @ 3900	1994–1996
B10 3,2	E39 528i	E4/3	191 kW (260 PS; 256 bhp) @ 5900	330 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4300	1997–1998
B10 3,3	E39 528i	E4/5	206 kW (280 PS; 276 bhp) @ 6200	335 N·m (247 ft·lbf) @ 4500	1999–2003
B10 V8	E39 540i	F3	250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) @ 5700	470 N·m (350 ft·lbf) @ 3900	1997–1998
B10 V8	E39 540i	F4	255 kW (347 PS; 342 bhp) @ 5700	480 N·m (350 ft·lbf) @ 3700	1998–2002
B10 V8 S	E39 540i	F5	276 kW (375 PS; 370 bhp) @ 5800	510 N·m (380 ft·lbf) @ 3800	2002–2004
B5	E60/E61 545i	H1	368 kW (500 PS; 493 bhp) @ 5500	700 N·m (520 ft·lbf) @ 4250	2005–2007
B5S	E60/E61 550i	H2	390 kW (530 PS; 523 bhp) @ 5500	725 N·m (535 ft·lbf) @ 4750	2007–2010
B7 Turbo Coupé	E24 630CSi	B7	221 kW (300 PS; 296 bhp) @ 6000	462 N·m (341 ft·lbf) @ 2500	1978–1982
B7 S Turbo Coupé	E24 635CSi	B7S	243 kW (330 PS; 326 bhp) @ 5800	500 N·m (370 ft·lbf) @ 3000	1982-1982
B9 3,5 Coupé	E24 635CSi	B9	180 kW (245 PS; 241 bhp) @ 5700	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1982-1982
B9 3,5 Coupé / 1	E24 635CSi	B9/1	180 kW (245 PS; 241 bhp) @ 5700	320 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1982–1985
B7 Turbo Coupé / 1	E24 635CSi	B7/2	243 kW (330 PS; 326 bhp) @ 5700	512 N·m (378 ft·lbf) @ 2400	1984–1987
B10 3,5 Coupé	E24 635CSi	B10	192 kW (261 PS; 257 bhp) @ 6000	346 N·m (255 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1985–1987
B7 Turbo Coupé / 1	E24 635CSi	B7/3	235 kW (320 PS; 315 bhp) @ 5700	520 N·m (380 ft·lbf) @ 2400	1986–1988
B6	E63/E64 650i	H1	368 kW (500 PS; 493 bhp) @ 5500	700 N·m (520 ft·lbf) @ 4250	2006–2008
B11 3,5	E32 735i	B11	184 kW (250 PS; 247 bhp) @ 5700	330 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1987-1987
B11 3,5	E32 735i	B11/1	176 kW (239 PS; 236 bhp) @ 5700	310 N·m (230 ft·lbf) @ 4500	1987-1987
B11 3,5	E32 735i	B11/3	187 kW (254 PS; 251 bhp) @ 6000	325 N·m (240 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1987–1993
B11 4,0	E32 740i	F1	232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) @ 5800	410 N·m (300 ft·lbf) @ 4600	1993–1994
B12 5,0	E32 750i	D1	257 kW (349 PS; 345 bhp) @ 5300	470 N·m (350 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1988–1994
B12 5,7 E-KAT	E38 750i	D3	285 kW (387 PS; 382 bhp) @ 5200	560 N·m (410 ft·lbf) @ 4100	1995–1998
B12 6,0 E-KAT	E38 750i	D3/2	316 kW (430 PS; 424 bhp) @ 5400	600 N·m (440 ft·lbf) @ 4200	1999–2001
B7	E65/E66 745i	H1	368 kW (500 PS; 493 bhp) @ 5500	700 N·m (520 ft·lbf) @ 4250	2003–2008
B12 5,0 Coupé	E31 850i/850Ci	D1/1	257 kW (349 PS; 345 bhp) @ 5300	470 N·m (350 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1990–1994
B12 5,7 Coupé	E31 850CSi	D2	306 kW (416 PS; 410 bhp) @ 5400	570 N·m (420 ft·lbf) @ 4000	1992–1996
Roadster Limited Edition	Z1	C2/6	147 kW (200 PS; 197 bhp) @ 6000	261 N·m (193 ft·lbf) @ 4900	1990–1991
Roadster V8 Limited Edition	E52 Z8	F5	280 kW (381 PS; 375 bhp) @ 5800	520 N·m (380 ft·lbf) @ 3800	2002–2003
Roadster S	E85 Z4	E5/2	221 kW (300 PS; 296 bhp) @ 6300	362 N·m (267 ft·lbf) @ 4800	2003–2005

[edit] Alpina C2

An interesting variant of the M20 engine was Alpina's C2. The first C2 combined the wider bore of the M20B25 with the slightly larger crankshaft of an M20B23, to create a torquier engine of 2,552 cc. This version put out 185 PS (136 kW) and 265 N·m (195 lb·ft), 74 units were built between 1985 and 1988.^[16]
The larger yet 2.7 litre unit was introduced in February 1986 in uncatalyzed C2/1 form.^[16] This engine, sharing the dimensions of the M20B27, develops a whopping 210 PS (154 kW) at 5,800 rpm and shows what the engine was really capable of.^[17] Originally installed in the E30-based Alpina C2 2.7, with available four-wheel drive, the catalyzed C2/2 appeared in the interim C2 2.7 Kat in March 1987. This was then renamed "B3 2.7" five months later, by which time the "C2" labelled cars were discontinued. The B3 2.7 continued to be available until June 1992, in all body variants and drivetrain configurations (excepting automatics) in which the E30 was offered.^[16] Around 1988, 26 "B6"-labelled C2-engined E30s were built for export to Japan, where the B6 3.5 had a hard time passing emissions regulations.

[edit] Diesel engines

Alpina Previous Models (Diesel engines)
Alpina model	BMW donor model	Alpina Engine	Power	Torque	Production
D10 BITURBO	E39 530d	G1	180 kW (245 PS; 241 bhp) @ 4200	500 N·m (370 ft·lbf) @ 3500	2000–2003
D3	E90/E91 320d	M47	147 kW (200 PS; 197 bhp) @ 4000	410 N·m (300 ft·lbf) @ 2000	2005–2008