BEGINNING IN 1976 WITH THE ULTRA-RARE BB2, Alpina has been putting its stamp on BMW's 5-series for almost half a century, fettling dynamics, design and performance to produce some of the finest fast saloons we've seen. The limited-edition G30 B5 GT, and accompanying G31 B5 GT Touring, is Alpina's final take on the 5-series in its current form and is also the firm's most potent model to date, with more power than any car in its current or back catalogue.
Step inside its uniquely upholstered interior, thumb the starter button, and the deep, reassuring tones of BMW's 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged N63 V8 fill the cabin. While this is the same unit found in the M550i, Alpina has made numerous changes in order to achieve the B5 GT's headline 625bhp figure. In addition to the standard B5's uprated cooling system, pistons, turbochargers and transmission, the GT is equipped with a less restrictive, flow-optimized intake, a modified exhaust centre section and an ECU update. The result is a 13bhp uplift from the regular B5 and a 75bhp advantage over the M550i, bringing the GT's output to just a single horsepower shy of the hardcore M5 CS's. Peak torque stands at 627lb ft between 3500 and 5000rpm, some 74lb ft more than the CS offers.
この記事は Evo UK の September 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Evo UK の September 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
BEST BUYS BMW M CARS
THE PERFORMANCE CAR LANDSCAPE WOULD HAVE looked very different over the last five decades without BMW. Its M division, founded in 1972, has produced some of the best driver’s cars ever to hit the road, and in the process has provided a stream of benchmark models for its rivals to chase. In recent years, stricter emissions regulations, downsizing and electrification have seen some of those rival cars falter, yet by and large BMW’s M machines have remained strong. In fact, some rank among the greatest the department has made think of the eCoty-winning M2 CS and M5 CS while others are the only options worth recommending in their respective segments. Price tags have risen with performance, however, putting those latest offerings out of reach for many, but the marque’s popularity means there are numerous earlier M models available on the second-hand market for far more attainable figures. Here are four of our favourites.
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