2011 BMW Alpina B5 Touring Bi-Turbo Review

ALPINA cars are designated by their finely balanced driving dynamics, comfort and everyday luxury. Add to that the exceptional functionality and the result is the new BMW ALPINA B5 Touring Bi-Turbo - the fastest of its kind!

Touring intelligently combines the sophistication of the exclusive right of Salo is pronounced with the functionality and versatility. Make no mistake, the Touring offers up to 1670 liters of storage space for luggage and a brilliant concept, even if its a luxury performance genes.

Finely honed suspension and chassis configuration is combined with variable dampers are an exemplary ride comfort also provides precision handling and excellent stability at high speeds.

2011 BMW Alpina B5 Touring Bi-Turbo
2011 BMW Alpina B5 Touring Bi-Turbo

Bi-Turbo V8 Touring accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8se 700nm of torque, combined with a unique 8-speed automatic sports SWITCH-TRONIC power is readily available. A modern, dynamic and well-toned look - ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo Touring has all the right visual characteristics make it the ideal companion for business travelers.

Powertrain - First class performance and economy

All-aluminum V8 produces 507 hp center (373 kW) at a moderate 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 700 Nm from 3000 rpm 4750. "Bi-Turbo" refers to two turbo-chargers configured in parallel, each feeding the cylinder banks. Specifically developed for large diameter turbine exhaust to allow the engine to provide both exceptional power and more torque, in particular the wide range of speeds, while maintaining excellent accelerator at low speeds.

The high performance cooling system consists of a range between the indirect cooling system (air-to-water/water-to-air) divided into sectors and short intake increased flow inter-cooler. The excellent thermodynamic efficiency of the systems is guaranteed by a large volume at low temperature inter-cooler radiator and two water-air inter-cooler placed near the engine. High performance pistons are designed specifically to meet the temperatures and pressures associated with the load up to 1.0 bar and a 9.2:1 compression ratio engine rated. In total, the result is an impressive 115.3 hp specific (85kW) per liter, and a total average compression of 20.1 bar.

Direct injection and double VANOS contribute to the Bi-Turbo Alpina B5-top performance, emissions and economy in this segment: 10.8l/100km / 26.2mpg (Touring: 10.9l/100km / 25.9mpg) and 252g / km (Touring : 255g/km) CO2 (combined, as measured by ECE).

2011 BMW Alpina B5 Touring Bi-Turbo
2011 BMW Alpina B5 Touring Bi-Turbo

TRANSMISSION - Eight-speed all-round

Adapted and tested in collaboration with ZF, the tip SWITCH-TRONIC Sport automatic transmission 8 speed sets a new benchmark. With the creed of the ALPINA philosophy guide our engineers have spent thousands of hours of development and testing to ensure that no automatic transmission performance of other methods to provide this level of comfort and performance.

The mixture of eight speeds and a lot of torque for superior comfort speed without significant interruption of supply of energy - the comments included acoustic and dynamic speedometer on the work of the transmission. 700 Nm of torque means that the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo is distinguished by the cruise along at high speed in a high gear at a minimum speed for the benefit of consumption and comfort.

Use of Sports (S) Change the state is very different happens: the transfer is crisp and clear immediately. The innovative single cylinder cast (known as "Einzelzylinderausblendung" in German), originally developed for use in ALPINA B6 GT3 race car, super fast giving up property, which only takes a few milliseconds. According to the load on the transmission, fuel injection in a given cylinder interrupted for a split second, the creation of the required reduction of torque, the automatic transmission needs up-shifts. The advantages over the typical method for a delay of schedule is significantly faster development, improved thermodynamic efficiency due to reduced exhaust temperatures and low fuel consumption. Each place-shift is accompanied by a deep bubbling against pressure.

SWITCH-TRONIC buttons for use in manual shift (M), ergonomics and unobstrusively located behind the steering wheel and allows the driver to take full control of the transmission. The system allows multiple simultaneous downgrade in milliseconds, so the transmission will skip several gears, depending on engine load and speed. In this way, 8-speed transmission with automatic Alpina Sport SWITCH-TRONIC is revealed as a feature of travel entitlement extremely multifaceted any and all situations.

Automatic up-shift means that the data transfer time to switch to a higher gear, after a certain threshold speed has been exceeded with the current gear. In some driving situations, this may not be desired, for example, while driving race-oriented, or for example, faced with many narrow hair-pin corners. Simultaneous choice of both Sport, Sport +, or SDC-off with the Dynamic Drive Control key and selecting the Mode Shift M (transfer) until you turn off the automatic shift funtion. Transmission to the selected gear until the maximum speed (electronically limited), and not automatically change gears.

Smart docking state of art engine and transmission technologies figures Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo high performance: only 4.7 (Touring: 4.8) seconds from 0 to 100 km / h / 0-62 mph is needed on the way to a top speed of 307 kmh / 191 mph (Touring: 303 kmh / mph 188). Massive braking capability in the form of broken high-performance brakes (front: 374mm/14.7in, rear 345mm/14.6in) provides braking to the height of the purebred sports cars.

Hibernate - Dynamic Comfort

Time in which "adequately rigid" suspension was seen as a positive aspect of therapy are long gone. It remains to establish a genuine and neutral, to the limit, provides the best technical compromise. This is achieved partly through shorter Alpina springs and lateral specific support arms which together will lead to optimized camber.

Along with 20 "wheels and tires offers a well balanced chassis and directives, the rejection of a pure sports-oriented approach to an agile suspension precise cornering. Mounted on light weight 20" ALPINA wheels are classics - tires run-flat 255/35 ZR20 PILOT SPORT Michlin 285/30 ZR20 front and rear Super measure. It represents the latest in ultra-high performance tires available today, have a tread compound is 2/3rds soft (middle) and the hard compound 1/3rd (and overseas sides). This mix makes for excellent, despite heavy use typical of high-performance vehicles continues to offer a very good wet grip. The requirements of stability and strengthening of new technology ensures the sidewall of the tire is less likely to suffer from temperature spikes with a loss of dry grip.

To meet the seemingly conflicting requirements of comfort, kindness and sporty as the daily management, B5 Alpina Bi-Turbo is equipped with electronically adjustable shock absorbers (damper control and dynamic control unit dynamic). The system was calibrated by ALPINA intelligent, and is related to other system parameters of steering control, the pair of cushioning and control system dynamic stability. Comfort + pronounced, Normal, Sport and Sport modes, transitions Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo luxury grown effort thoroughbred sports car. Address lightweight, ultra-comfortable suspension and transmission to move imperceptibly Bi-Turbo Alpina B5 perfect partner in stop-and-go traffic, covering great distances or meeting less than perfect road surfaces.

Yet the touch of a button, ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo in difficult corners and exciting itineraries, with the agility and light-footedness than anything else in its class.

A specifically for the BMW ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo in collaboration with Drexler Motorsport ALPINA and adapted with limited slip differential available as an option. The mechanical limited-slip differential improves traction when driving dynamics and minimizes slippage by distributing the torque and power to the wheel with more grip. The operation of limited slip differential is constant and independent of the behavior of other dynamic parameters or systems. Main features: multi-couple differential detection with prejudice, lock feature active up to 30% under load and 20% in gas leak, very reactive in the slip detection, self-steering properties and a harmonious excellent directional stability, the quality of racing, forged gearbox, CNC machined housing, built by hand.

Interior Design - Professional Classic meets modern technology

The Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Alpina present typical virtues and the signals of the design of a new and compelling, with a refreshing and dynamic aspect. Both the sedan and Touring silhouette begins with a front catch the attention which is strong and confident, and end with a harmonic and elegant bag. ALPINA brand runs two tubes artistically integrated into the rear valence has a discrete diffuser. The fixture can be removed if necessary, the client must want to be able to tow a trailer optional. In combination with the rear spoiler (sedan), Bi-Turbo B5 Total ALPINA aerodynamics package provides the highest degree of security and stability, especially at high speeds. The resulting reduction in lift, depending on the speed, can reach a remarkable 60% -30%, front and back.

Inside expected to reveal a touch of discreet suggest ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo single pedigree. The levels of standard equipment is complete: leather seats, a versatile and adjustable comfort seats, navigation system, excellent preparation Bluetooth, xenon headlights and ensure that all drivers and passengers' well-being. Hand-stitched leather steering wheel Lavalina SWITCH-TRONIC can be positioned just need to see ALPINA blue instruments with black LCD technology, thanks to the electronically controlled steering column. Classic ALPINA Myrtle burled wood trim offers a warm - can be found only in the U.S. Pacific Coast is dedicated to the rose laurel forests grew just for this purpose. Optional internal ALPINA Piano lacquer silver diagonal diamond offers a modern and exclusive right as an alternative.

Warm atmosphere of the interior and modern therapies to promote wellness. For those who are just a bonus for him, something unique, exclusive, and volumes from the ALPINA philosophy crafts offer a variety of almost unlimited personalisatio.