Road test | BMW Alpina B8: guardian of a tradition

“I have the simplest tastes in the world, I am satisfied with the best. That’s Oscar Wilde’s slightly pompous but apropos quote that tops a short note from Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen on his website. A long-time collaborator of BMW, the German company works in automotive haute couture. It modifies some of the manufacturer’s models by hand, producing barely 1,700 units per year. We took the wheel of its latest creation, the Alpina B8, to fully grasp this work of craftsmanship.

Charles Rene
The Press

Design

Alpina keeps alive a European tradition that dates back almost a century. Inspired by the great coachbuilders who have built the automotive imagination, it takes existing BMW models as a canvas and lets its magic flow. Admittedly, in the case of this B8, the exercise requires sustained attention to detect the differences with the standard M850i ​​Gran Coupé. The sumptuous dark metallic green that drapes the test car’s dress is a clue, as is the presence of bold Alpina lettering on the front spoiler and rear trunk lid. The rims, made up of multiple thin spokes, inevitably capture the attention. The front shield has also been re-sculpted to increase the air supply and promote cooling of the hotter mechanics. It’s done with tact and taste while preserving the graceful silhouette of this sedan-coupé which is undoubtedly in itself the most accomplished and visually ambitious work that BMW is currently offering.

On board

First observation while sitting in the cabin: this B8 does not make the best use of interior space. Despite its length, which exceeds 5 m, its two rear seats are comparable to those of a Series 3 with less headroom. At the front, however, it is very spacious and particularly pleasant for tall people due to the ample legroom. The general habitability nevertheless gives way to the exercise of style, which is also improved by the craftsmen of Alpina. The steering wheel displays the logo of the small manufacturer, as does the small knob of the gear arm, made of a piece of crystal. Besides, it’s pure BMW, with the use of polygonal shapes to crimp the dashboard. The leathers lining the various surfaces are of impeccable quality and the assembly without visible folds leaves no doubt about the polishing of the product. The ergonomics of the handset of physical controls are flawless, which is on the way out among rivals.

Under the hood

By comparing the technical specifications of the BMW M8 to that of the Alpina B8, one would be tempted to say that they share the same mechanics. However, it is not. The Alpina B8 owes its punch to the N63-coded 4.4L twin-turbo V8, the heart of the M850i. It has been extensively revised in the Alpina workshops to extract 612 hp produced without interruption from 5500 to 6500 rpm, a gain of 89 hp. It is obvious, the eloquence of this engine is expressed by its extraordinary thrust coupled with great delicacy in its manners. Its discretion gives way to a baritone soundtrack when the valves of the Alpina exhaust system open. The music is harmonious in the absence of synthesized overlay and the intensity is well dosed. As for the ZF box, it still shines brightly, but its eight gears are left to trill on their own due to keys that are not very pleasant to handle behind the wheel.

Behind the wheel

BMW Canada had the audacity to lend us this Alpina B8 in the middle of a Quebec winter. We could probably judge the context as being largely unfavorable for a sports sedan of this status. Admittedly, a pothole got the better of a tire with a – too – thin sidewall during the test week, but this B8 excelled in very difficult conditions. Its xDrive all-wheel drive ensures an exceptional level of traction and allows its 2.2 tonnes to pivot with the natural ease of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. The rear steering, an element widely used among rivals in its segment, is also partly responsible. Alas, we do not always feel involved in the exercise, the direction having a touch free of any communicative element in the name of a form of refinement. The plushness of the ride, however, is a great strength of the B8, making it far more civilized than the creations prepared by BMW’s M division.

Embedded technologies

The Alpina B8 inherits the most advanced version of the iDrive system. We browse again and again the menus by means of a rotary wheel whose central part is made of crystal, the splendor of the object obliging it. Smooth keys line it to ensure access to various features. The intuitiveness of the navigation is undoubtedly the strong point of this system. However, it does not offer a presentation as grandiose as at Mercedes-Benz. The touchscreen is supported by a second instrumentation screen which has been visually adapted for Alpina by showing the manufacturer’s logo in the centre. The sound that emanates from the optional Bowers & Wilkins system also has the depth to bring any genre of music to life. In terms of safety, customers are not entitled to all the active driving supports as standard, despite their very high bill.

The verdict

With a note approaching $160,000, many might consider the Alpina B8 outrageous. She does not seek to win the hearts of a large clientele. This product must therefore be analyzed somewhat like a high-end watch whose refinement is assessed by the precision of its mechanism and its intrinsic beauty. Alpina has managed, through a series of modifications, to cultivate an individuality in this B8. Well suited to daily use in Quebec, it also displays an undeniable versatility ensuring its annual use. Its very great stability on snowy roads testifies to this, supported by its comfortable ride imbued with finesse. There is nevertheless an excessive and anachronistic aspect to the use of a biturbo V8 in a period of environmental and inflationary awareness, despite the brilliance of its preparation and its acceptable gluttony. In short, these artisanal automobile traditions remain necessary and captivating, but would undoubtedly benefit from being modernized.