We are firmly convinced that Alpina has a brilliant future under the BMW group’s company. Before the new era begins in 2026, the niche luxury car manufacturer looks back on one of his biggest hits. The fabulous B10 Bi turbo is based on the 5 Series E34 stars in a new video. This is not just any B10, but the last car that has ever been made. Only 507 units were produced, and Alpina decided to keep the last one.
Although it was about 31 years ago since this car was completed, it still looks like it is being rolled by the assembly line. A true time capsule, the B10 BI turbo could reach 291 km/h, which makes it the fastest production sedan at that time. The Maserati Ghibli 334 Ultima holds the current record at a maximum speed of 334 km/h. But meeting 181 miles per hour in the early nineties was not an easy task. Alpina made even faster limousines when the B5 GT, B7 and B8 GT were equipped with 330 km/h (205 miles per hour).
When the B10 BI-Turbo came out in 1989, it had a starting price almost twice as high as the E34 M5. Although it cost an exorbitant DM 146,800, it became the best -selling model of the brand. This special example is part of the last 4 cars produced. These had a wider grille, updated side mirror caps and another rear spoiler. Inside, Alpina fit the cars with leather pads instead of fabric and installed blue instrument cluster.
Around 3.2 million US dollars were invested to transform the BMW 535i into the B10 BI turbo by massively upgrading the M30 engine. The 3.4-liter inline-Six received two water-cooled Garrett turboladers, which increased the power to 360 hp and 384 LB-FT (520 Nm). The revised engine was combined with a tailor-made gear-in-chimney handbook and a limit slip differential.
The sports sedan took 5.6 seconds to reach 62 km/h (200 km/h) in about 19 seconds and 124 km/h. Alpina used larger brake discs behind these timeless 17-inch wheels to stop efficiently. Other mechanical upgrades were Bilstein front struts, Sachs-rear shock absorbers and new anti-roll rods on both axes. A stronger coupling has also been added to finish with the increased performance.
The line of the Alpina 5 series ended with the B5 -GTs introduced in early 2023. It is unclear whether there are plans to bring him back. In the meantime, set up for the return of the larger B7.
Source: Alpina Classic / Instagram
