Test Alpina B4 Gran Coupe – If you want an M3 with style, or miss an M4 Gran Coupe

The M3 is available as a sedan, and recently as a touring and then there is the M4 as a Coupé and Cabriolet, so it makes sense that Alpina comes with the B4 Gran Coupé?

Yes, but there may be another reason to go for an Alpina, also for a B3 sedan or touring. If you are looking for a fast 3-series, but are not so charmed by the huge grille of the M3, you can go to Alpina. The Alpina B3 has a more conventionally lined front, with a somewhat more compact grille. And if you actually wanted an M3 Touring, then the B3 in station wagon version was a good alternative. Was, because now that BMW itself supplies an M3 Touring and Alpina has been incorporated by the BMW group, the cards have been shuffled again. The manufacturer from Buchloe has found a new niche, because an M4 Gran Coupé is not yet supplied by BMW’s M division. The end result of Alpina is called B4 and, just like the B3, is characterized by power in a modest package.

Alpina B4 Gran Coupé, there is no M4 Gran Coupé, so Alpina dives into that niche.

Is the Alpina B4’s engine the same as an M3 and M4?

The engine is based on the M3 power unit. So we are talking about the S58 engine with 2,993 cc and two turbos. However, Alpina wouldn’t be Alpina if they took over that block one-for-one; the engineers optimized the shape of the turbine housing and the different grille meant that the air intake had to be redesigned. All efforts lead to a power of 495 hp, with which the car nestles exactly between the manual M3 and the M3 Competition.

Alpina B4, with modified turbos, is what Alpina does in collaboration with the Dutch Tachyon Engineering.

Alpina is always known for its high torque, right?

Completely correct. As usual with Alpina, a high maximum torque was on the priority list over a surplus of power. The Alpina engine now sends 730 Nm to the front and rear wheels, with the focus on the middle rev range, i.e. between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. This means that there is 80 Nm more available than with the M3.

The incredibly supple Lavalina leather with hand-applied stitching.

Is the Alpina B4 Gran Coupe also faster?

Yes and no. Despite the higher torque, the B4 cannot beat the M3 Competition xDrive during intermediate acceleration. To compensate, its top speed is 301 km / h, while the M3 is over at 290 km / h. At least, if you have ticked the M Driver’s Package on the options list.

Must be very expensive again, that Alpina?

It’s just how you look at it. The Alpina is available from €142,669, a rate where the M3 Competition is a lot more expensive at €190,867. As if money is of decisive importance in this segment! No, that rather applies to aspects such as the stylish Alpina interior with Merino leather. The lower part of the dashboard is also covered with this high-quality material. Those who really want the best of the best can opt for the incredibly supple Lavalina leather with stitching that has been applied manually. This Alpina specialty does have a price tag of €7,300. It is also possible to have the headrests fitted with Alpina logos. The digital instruments also have their own design and each B4 also receives a plate in the center console with the production number on it.

Is it just the engine or is Alpina tackling more technical issues?

We drove the ‘James Bond copy’, with production number 007. Like the other copies, it was equipped with the characteristic sports exhaust system with four oval tailpipes, which are beautifully integrated into the rear bumper. Because the back pressure is reduced by the shape of the exhaust pipes, the sound is a bit on the good side. Unless you strike hard, because then the sonorous growl turns into an exciting hammering beat. Alpina technicians have worked on more parts of the powertrain. For example, they have significantly modified ZF’s eight-speed sports automatic transmission, so that it can handle the increased torque of the B4. The setting of the four-wheel drive has also been changed, because there is now just a little more power to the rear wheels than with the base car. In addition, there is an electronically controlled differential lock on the rear axle. Alpina has also developed its own spring-damper combination. P Zero tires from Pirelli, which have been specifically tuned for the B4 Gran Coupé, provide the actual grip. This specific Alpina rubber bears the letter combination ‘ALP’ on the sidewall of the tyre, to indicate that extra know-how has been used in the tuning.

The Alpina Wheel. Always this styling.

And what about the brakes?

To take the endurance of the braking system to the next level, our test car was equipped with special lightweight discs, which are more resistant to high temperatures. The fact that they do what they have to do under extreme conditions is apparent from the measurement of the braking values. A braking distance of 33 meters during an emergency stop from 100 km/h in a hot condition is not groundbreaking, but the measurements show that the discs only perform better under continuous, high load. That image is underlined during the fast laps on the circuit, because even if you always go full in the anchors at the very last moment, they continue to do their job without fading.

Alpina B4 with Akrapovic exhaust, but quieter than an M3 or an M4.

Isn’t an Alpina more for fast autobahn rides than for the circuit?

Although the relatively heavy Alpina is not a racing car, it performs amazingly well on the track. The soft suspension adjustment is not a disadvantage here, on the contrary. You can make the car dance through the bends with slightly oversteer. The power can also be dosed nicely. In our measurements, the Alpina sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, a tenth faster than the manufacturer promises. The M3 is just a bit faster at 3.5 seconds and the difference increases as the speed increases. At a speed of 200 km / h, the lead of the M3 is already 1.1 seconds. Don’t think that at Alpina in Buchloe they lose sleep over these kinds of measurements. Their B4 has more than enough power and especially torque, and that’s what matters.

technical data

Alpine B4

Engine 6 cyl. in line, turbo

Cylinder capacity 2,993 cc

max. power 364 kW / 495 hp at 5,000-7,000 rpm

max. torque 730 Nm at 2,500-4,500 rpm

Number of gears 8, automatic Four-wheel drive

Dimensions l/w/h 4.79/1.85/1.44 m

Curb weight* 1,895 kg

0-100km/h* 3.6s

Top speed 301 km/h

Avg. consumption* 13.2 l/100 km (1:7.6)

CO2 emissions 223 g/km

Price €142,669

All data according to manufacturer’s specifications, except data with *