Alpina ends 20-year racing respite with B6 GT3

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, BMW

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Aside from serious enthusiasts and obsessive Bimmerphiles, Alpina isn't as recognized today as it was in the past. The BMW ubertuner and specialty marque has a long history in motorsports that includes wins at the 24 Hours of Spa, the 24 hour at the Nurburgring and three European Touring Car Championships. Alpina will attempt to reinvigorate its image and its motorsports heritage when it enters its 6-series-based B6 GT3 in the 2009 FIA European Championship next year, along with running a handful of high-profile endurance races.

The B6 S is the basis for the B6 GT3, and comes packing a supercharged, 4.4-liter V8 dolling out 530 hp and 535 lb.-ft. of torque. That should make it competitive with the rest of the field, including Aston Martins, Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The B6 GT3 isn't strictly for Alpina's own works team, as it plans to sell race-ready versions to privateer teams and wealthy collectors.

Alpina's full press release is available after the jump.

[Source: Alpina via WCF]

Continue reading Alpina ends 20-year racing respite with B6 GT3

Alpina ends 20-year racing respite with B6 GT3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: Alpina delivers triple play combo - B3 Biturbo, B5 S and B6 S

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Tuners, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW

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You say Al-PEEN-uh, I say Al-PINE-uh, let's call the whole thing off. Alpina just unveiled a triple threat of twisted BMWs that promise M-series-like performance with an individual flair. As much as we begged and pleaded, Alpina sales honcho Kris Odwarka says we won't see any of these hot new BMW-based specials in the States anytime soon. Something about the intricacies of dealer regulations means that it would be very difficult for a small manufacturer like Alpina to make the numbers work on anything but the brilliant B7 right now. And with the new range of B3 Biturbo, B5 S and B6 S so mouthwateringly good on paper, we would love the chance to sample one Stateside. But alas, we must go wanting.

While we never really cared for a couple of their trademark styling touches, we understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and people buying specialty vehicles prefer Picasso as much as they like Thomas Kinkade. The one thing we can't argue with is the performance reputation that Alpina has built for itself over the past 30 years. They take what BMW is offering, which is already great in most cases, and along with ZF get the most they can out of what they are given. They've gotten their automatic gearshifts down to 100 milliseconds, for instance, rivaling or besting many factory DSG-type auto manuals on the market.

The 3.0L six in the B3 Biturbo is now putting out 360 HP, compared to 265 from the unblown unit. That also happens to best the BMW 335i's 300, in case you were wondering. And in the 5 and 6, they took the V8 from 390 to 540 HP! Considering that these engines are then fitted with virtually any bodystyle in the lineup and it's enough to make you forget the letter "M" altogether. Pity more won't be coming to the US.

Gallery: Alpina B3 Biturbo, B5 S, and B6 S

Frankfurt 2007: Alpina delivers triple play combo - B3 Biturbo, B5 S and B6 S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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