Alpina celebrates 50th with 328km/h sedan, coupe and wagon

Alpina has created a new special edition called Edition 50 to celebrate 50 years of remanufacturing, tuning and racing BMWs.

The new anniversary model features a heavily revised BMW 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo that produces 441kW/800Nm.

Described as one of the fastest cars it’s ever made, the new Edition 50 Alpina sprints to the 100km/h benchmark in just 4.2 seconds before topping out at 328km/h.

The 44kW/70Nm power and torque increases over the existing B5 and B6 Bi-Turbo models has come from improving the V8 engine’s breathing, increasing boost pressures to 1.2 bar and enhancing the intercooling. To help cope with the increased performance and temperatures involved, engineers have also added lightweight pistons. A lightweight Acrapovic titanium exhaust system has also been added that’s said to improves throttle response by reducing back pressure. It also saves a useful 17 kg compared with the standard exhaust.

Considering the performance on tap, the Alpina does surprisingly well at the pumps averaging 15.3l/100km while emitting 221g/km of CO2.

To help keep it stable at such high speeds Alpina engineers have subtly tweaked the aerodynamics on the sedan, coupe and wagon.

Perhaps the biggest change to the 50 Edition looks is Alpina’s decision to restyle it classic-design alloys wheels. The new forged alloys are said to save 15.6kg over a set of the previous 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Edition 50 is available with optional sports seats in black leather with green quilting on the squab and backrest centre sections, with yellow and black stitching. A special ‘1965 – 2015’ logo is displayed on the seat backs, carpets and key ring. Each car’s limited edition number is also displayed on a production plaque on the centre console

Only three colours are available for the Edition 50, green, blue or black with all colours gaining the familiar Alpina decals.

Pricing starts at £86,850 in the UK where it is available in very limited numbers. Over here that’s $155,000 our money if BMW Australia ever chooses to start importing the largely hand built remanufactured BMWs.