Alpina B8

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Alpina
BMW Alpina B8 4.6
BMW Alpina B8 4.6
B8 4.6
Production period: Nov. 1994-1998
Class : Middle class
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Engines: Otto engine :
4.6 liters (245 kW)
Length: 4443 mm
Width: 1710 mm
Height: 1346 mm
Wheelbase : 2700 mm
Empty weight : 1490-1600 kg

The Alpina B8 4.6 was a car model produced in small series by the German automobile manufacturer Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen , which was based on the BMW 3-series of the E36 generation . From January 1995 to November 1998 sedan, touring, coupé and convertible versions of the B8 were produced. A total of 221 units were produced during the production period: 78 coupé, 23 convertible, 93 sedan and 27 touring.

history

Rear view

For the company's 30th anniversary, Alpina wanted to bring a more powerful 3-series model onto the market for the B3 3.0, which should be able to compete with the BMW M3 3.0 produced by BMW . The developers and designers therefore opted for a V8 engine. Initially, planning and testing were carried out with the modified 4.0-liter M60B40 engine (232 kW rated power), which was available in the E34 B10 4.0 at the time, but then noticed that this engine offered even more options and increased the displacement 4.6 liters (245 kW nominal output), which brought a significant increase in output. The ALPINA B8 4.6 could not only compete with the BMW M3 of the time, it rose to the super sports car class thanks to its excellent driving performance.

engine and gears

Alpina used the BMW M60 B40 engine as the basis , which was already used in the ALPINA B10 4.0 / E34. The already known motor was some technical modifications and a displacement increase to 0.6 liters for an output of 245 kW (333 hp) at 5700 min -1 accommodated. The engine achieved a maximum torque of 470 Nm at 3900 min −1 . The identical engine was also offered in the B10 E34 at the same time, but achieved an output of 250 kW and a torque of 480 Nm thanks to better heat dissipation. In contrast to the B10 4.6, which was offered with a 5-speed automatic transmission, the B8 4.6 had a 6-speed manual transmission produced by Getrag , which later appeared with identical ratios at BMW in the M3 3.2. The differential has also been revised. The rear axle ratio was 2.79: 1 (BMW M3 3.2: 3.23: 1). A newly cast rear axle gearbox cover increased the oil content to 3.1 liters, which at the same time lowered the oil temperatures during longer high-speed sections. A limited slip differential was available as an option.

Chassis and brakes

Alpina installed chassis, which consisted of monotube sport shock absorbers from Bilstein and Eibach springs (only on the front axle, rear BMW series) and were approx. 20 mm lower than the series chassis of the BMW E36. Eccentric wishbone bearings, like those used on the M3 GT, were also installed. The front anti-roll bar has been enlarged to 24 mm in diameter, the 15 mm anti-roll bar from the BMW series has been used at the rear. ASC + T (Automatic Stability Control + Traction) as the forerunner of the electronic stability program was available as standard as an electronic driving aid. This was even offered in combination with a limited slip differential. Due to the shorter design of the V8 compared to the in-line six-cylinder, the center of gravity was further back, which had a positive effect on the steering behavior. The wishbones came from the 328i E36  - pre-series from the 325i, the rear axle from the M3 3.0. Only a handful of B8 vehicles were still equipped with the rear axle of the BMW 325i and are based on the predecessor model of the BMW 328i. The test, study and development vehicle was the ALPINA B8 4.6 'Brilliant Red' with production number 34 - body type: sedan / sedan. Unlike most other B8 models, this vehicle is based entirely on a 325i pre-facelift. ALPINA ordered it from BMW in January 1991 and used it for development purposes. First, a 4.0 liter engine with 232 kW (315 hp) was installed. However, it was recognized that there was still more potential to be drawn from the engine and the displacement increased to 4.6 liters. This model # 34 was only sold and delivered by ALPINA in 1996 via the BMW dealer Faltz in Essen. It was never registered before and was used purely as a study and development vehicle. Before delivery it was completely revised and got the BMW facelift bumper, facelift side indicators, a facelift seat set in black nappa leather and a new paint job in "light red / 314".  

Another development vehicle was the BMW ALPINA B8 4.0 # 1 - this vehicle was the only car of the previous generation that was also approved as "B8 4.0". For this reason it kept the designation B8 4.0. All other development, business and presentation vehicles were only registered after they had been converted to the more powerful 4.6 liter engine. This also applied to the advertising and presentation vehicle that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1994 (as 4.0) & 1995 (as 4.6), the ALPINA B8 4.6 # 1 in "ALPINABLAU", it was launched in 1994 after the presentation converted in Geneva and got the production number 1 of the B8 4.6 sedans.

Another model based on the 325i is the Coupé No.1, which was the first B8 4.6 to be officially approved and used by the ALPINA boss as a private vehicle. The vehicle was first registered in November 1994 by Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co. KG . It is the only model in the paintwork "Mauritius Blue Metallic / 287".

Two-piston floating callipers from Lucas with internally ventilated brake discs (diameter: 326 mm; thickness: 26 mm) and Ferodo brake pads were used on the front axle, while the braking system of the M3 3.0 was used on the rear axle. The deceleration values ​​were above 10 m / s².

Body and interior

An additional tank was installed in the coupé and sedan to increase the range restricted by the V8 engine and to improve traction on the rear axle. This increased the tank volume to 95 liters. With the exception of a modified exhaust system, the B8, like every other Alpina model, received only a front spoiler in addition to the typical Alpina wheels and a rear wing on the sedan and coupé. As a result of these measures developed by BMW in the wind tunnel, the drag coefficient (c W ) was reduced by 0.02 to 0.30 compared to the M3 3.2. The Alpina decoration set could optionally be ordered in gold or silver.

Except for the typical Alpina badge, silver-plated and with production number, an extended speedometer unit from VDO (with additional displays for the engine oil and rear axle oil temperature, engine oil pressure and on-board voltage), which was available for an extra charge, burl wood interior in elm grain, a 385 mm Sports leather steering wheel (original BMW SA255) and BMW sports seats, the interior remained unchanged. Alpina offered sports seats from Recaro for a surcharge of DM 3850 . In addition to the BMW seat cushions, ALPINA offered individual special upholstery. This included, among other things, the dark anthracite fabric upholstery in ALPINA design (standard), nappa leather in various colors - on request also BiColor, an anniversary equipment in an Alcantara leather mix - and a very elegant water buffalo leather upholstery in natural (dark anthracite) or blue ( tobagoblau), which also had LAVALINA applications (ALPINA diamond motif with blue and green decorative thread), optionally also as a full leather interior for just under 18,000 DM. For the exterior paintwork, B8 customers were offered the BMW series paintwork, which, depending on the year in the The color palette varied, BMW special paints such as "Petrol Mica" and the ALPINA special paints in blue or green metallic offered at an extra charge. The colors “Cosmos Black-Met.”, “Montreal Blue-Met.” And “ALPINA-Blue-Metallic” were ordered most frequently.

Technical specifications

Motor of an Alpina B8 4.6
model Alpina B8 4.6
platform  BMW 328i E36 (1)
Displacement 4619 cc
Engine type V8
Max. power 245 kW (333 hp)
at 5700 rpm
Max. Torque 470 Nm at 3900 rpm
Acceleration,
0-100 km / h 		5.6 s
Top speed at least 280 km / h
Fuel consumption 11.3 l / 100 km
Super Plus (98 RON)
Empty weight 1490-1600 kg
(1) in pre-series 325i E36

price

With a base price of 122,000 DM (sedan), 125,000 DM (coupé), 129,000 DM (touring) and 139,000 DM (convertible), the B8 was one of the most expensive cars in its class at the time and was over 35,000 DM more expensive than the BMW M GmbH produced E36 M3 .

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