BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe becomes a 600-hp, 200-mph missile

    PHOTO BY ALPINA

ALPINA DIALS UP THE POWER ON ITS OFFICIAL STATESIDE OFFERING

    BMW tuning house Alpina revealed an updated B6 xDrive Gran Coupe this week, a model which has been offered through BMW dealerships in the U.S. after the departure of the 7-series-based B7. The most important change, at least from the standpoint of performance specifications, is that Alpina's version of BMW's 6-series Gran Coupe will pack more horsepower than the M6 version of the same car, in contrast to the previous Alpina model.

   Alpina's outgoing version of the 6-series Gran Coupe offered less power than the M6, producing 540 hp compared to the M6's 560 hp. The new version will offer 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque; that's 40 hp and 90 lb-ft of torque above the current M6 version, and 60 hp more than the previous Alpina B6. Churning out all that power is a 4.4-liter V8 BiTurbo driving all four wheels, helped by BMW's advanced electronic suspension tech like Dynamic Damper Control which provides adaptive shock absorbers.

   These figures will be enough to send the sedan-posing-as-a-coupe from 0 to 60 in just 3.6 seconds, and up to a top speed of 200 mph. That makes it the quickest Alpina ever and also the fastest -- a big deal for a company known to dial down the power on some of its offerings. Alpina can be interesting that way.

PHOTO BY ALPINA

   A generous helping of horsepower and torque aren't the only things that will set the 2016 model apart from its predecessor; the front fascia of the B6 has been redesigned with a taller front spoiler, front bumper, and a reshaped kidney grille. On the inside, Alpina fans will find the company's standard array of cosmetic changes including unique wood trim in Myrtle or Piano lacquer, a hand-stitched steering wheel, and door sill trims with blue illuminated lettering.

  Sales of the Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will start in March of 2015, with pricing to be announced shortly before its commercial launch. Though don't expect to see ready cars just camping out on dealer lots under leftover snow -- this will be a special order vehicle with a longer production time.