AUTONEWS

BMW Alpina B8 GT : Expensive but exclusive

BMW will take over the reins of Alpina in a few months and ahead of that the Bavarian specialist has launched the Alpina B8 GT, a very special limited edition.

Celebrating six decades of perfecting BMW vehicles, Alpina is launching a special edition of the B8 GT. Limited to 99 units, this exclusive 8 Series Gran Coupé stands out for its engine, which is the most powerful that Alpina has designed to date, cementing its legacy before BMW took full control of the brand.

Priced at 225,000 euros, the Alpina B8 GT offers 634 hp and can reach a top speed of 330 km/h, being able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds.

Based on BMW's four-door model, this vehicle not only surpasses the M8 in power, but also continues the company's tradition of providing a refined and powerful driving experience.

The heart of the B8 GT is a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, also found in the B5 GT. This version improves on the previous model by 9 hp and delivers 850 Nm of torque.

Technical improvements include a new central silencer that refines the engine sound and a revised all-wheel drive system that provides greater dynamics by transferring more power to the rear wheels. In addition, the updated electronic differential promises a more agile drive while maintaining the characteristic comfort of Alpina models on long journeys.

Aesthetically, the B8 GT stands out with carbon fiber elements, such as the diffuser and air intakes, as well as Alpina's iconic 21-inch forged wheels with aluminum accents. The B8 GT logo adorns the sills and door pillars, while optional stripes add style. Buyers can choose from seven colors, with 20 special units in two-tone combinations of blue or green with black.

While the M8 Gran Coupe comes at a lower price point, it doesn’t offer the same level of luxury, such as the high-quality Merino leather and exclusive accessories that come with the B8 GT, including a plaque bearing the signature of Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen. With BMW having acquired Alpina in 2022, shortly before Bovensiepen’s death, the B8 GT could become a collector’s item, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a new one under BMW’s stewardship.