Alpina B5

Which Alpina B5 Version Should You Buy?

The Alpina B5 version to choose depends on whether you value lower weight, RWD character, acceleration, top speed, or comparatively moderate fuel consumption. The earliest 1 generation models, produced from 2005 to 2007, offer 500 hp and the lowest listed kerb weight of 1,720 kg.

The Alpina B5 version to choose depends on whether you value lower weight, RWD character, acceleration, top speed, or comparatively moderate fuel consumption. The earliest 1 generation models, produced from 2005 to 2007, offer 500 hp and the lowest listed kerb weight of 1,720 kg. The 2013–2017 restyled 2 generation includes a 600 hp version with the lowest listed combined consumption of 9.5 l/100 km. The 2017–2020 3 generation moves to 608 hp, AWD and acceleration as quick as 3.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. The 3 generation restyling, produced from June 2020 with no stop date stated, offers the 621 hp S 4.4 AT and 634 hp GT 4.4 AT; the quickest listed examples reach 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds.

This catalogue data covers six production entries grouped into three generations, because each restyling belongs to its underlying generation. Every listed car is a Sedan. Touring and wagon specifications, prices, sale listings, engine codes, dimensions and reliability results are not supplied, so they cannot be used to recommend a version.

Alpina B5 generations: what changed?

The 1 generation ran from 2005 to 2007 and contains two listed 4.4 AT versions. Both produce 500 hp and 700 Nm from a 4,398 cc Gasoline engine, use a 6-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD, and require fuel grade 95. Their performance and weight differ: the 1,720 kg car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and reaches 314 km/h, while the 1,810 kg car takes 4.8 seconds and reaches 310 km/h.

The 2007–2010 restyling remains part of the 1 generation and contains two more 4.4 AT versions. Output rises by 30 hp to 530 hp, while torque increases by 25 Nm to 725 Nm. Both retain the 6-speed Automatic transmission and RWD but use fuel grade 98. Both reach 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and have a 317 km/h top speed. Their kerb weights are 1,720 and 1,810 kg.

The 2 generation ran from 2010 to 2013 and has two 4.4 AT versions. Both generate 540 hp and 730 Nm from 4,395 cc, paired with an 8-speed Automatic transmission and RWD. The lighter 1,920 kg version records 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h, 319 km/h and 10.5 l/100 km combined. The 1,990 kg version records 4.6 seconds, 316 km/h and 10.6 l/100 km.

The 2013–2017 restyling belongs to the 2 generation and contains four 4.4 AT entries. Two produce 540 hp and 730 Nm, while two produce 600 hp and 800 Nm. Every version uses an 8-speed Automatic transmission and RWD. The 600 hp cars cut the 0–100 km/h time to 4.2 seconds; their listed top speeds are 328 and 323 km/h, and their combined consumption figures are 9.5 and 9.6 l/100 km.

The 3 generation ran from 2017 to May 2020 and contains two 4.4 AT versions, each producing 608 hp and 800 Nm from 4,395 cc. The major catalogue change is AWD in place of RWD. Both use an 8-speed Automatic transmission and return 10.9 l/100 km combined. The 2,045 kg version reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and 330 km/h; the 2,150 kg version takes 3.7 seconds and reaches 322 km/h.

The 3 generation restyling began in June 2020, and its end date is not stated. It contains four versions: two S 4.4 AT entries and two GT 4.4 AT entries. The S 4.4 AT produces 621 hp, while the GT 4.4 AT produces 634 hp. All four use 4,395 cc Gasoline engines, 8-speed Automatic transmissions and AWD. The lighter 2,055 kg versions accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reach 330 km/h; the heavier 2,155 kg versions take 3.6 seconds and reach 322 km/h.

Alpina B5 engine specs

The power-per-litre comparison favors the later cars. The 500 hp 4.4 AT produces approximately 113.7 hp per litre, the 530 hp version about 120.5 hp per litre, and the 540 hp version about 122.9 hp per litre. The 600 hp 4.4 AT reaches about 136.5 hp per litre, the 608 hp 4.4 AT about 138.3 hp per litre, the S 4.4 AT about 141.3 hp per litre, and the GT 4.4 AT about 144.3 hp per litre.

Alpina B5 performance and fuel economy

The catalogue measures 0–100 km/h, not 0–60 mph, so an Alpina B5 0–60 figure is not measured. The fastest 0–100 km/h result is shared by the 2,055 kg S 4.4 AT and GT 4.4 AT at 3.4 seconds. The highest top speed is 330 km/h, recorded by the lighter 3 generation 4.4 AT and the lighter restyled S 4.4 AT and GT 4.4 AT.

For economy, the 600 hp, 2,015 kg 4.4 AT from the restyled 2 generation has the lowest figures: 13.1 l/100 km city, 7.4 l/100 km highway and 9.5 l/100 km combined. Compared with the 540 hp, 1,920 kg car from the same period, it provides 60 hp and 70 Nm more, accelerates 0.3 seconds quicker, reaches a top speed 9 km/h higher and consumes 1.0 l/100 km less on the combined cycle.

Alpina B5 weight, dimensions and wheels

Exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. The available practical measurements are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity and wheel size.

The 1,720 kg 500 hp 4.4 AT carries about 3.44 kg per horsepower. The equally light 530 hp 4.4 AT improves that to about 3.25 kg per horsepower. Among later versions, the 2,015 kg, 600 hp 4.4 AT carries about 3.36 kg per horsepower; the 2,045 kg, 608 hp 4.4 AT about 3.36; the 2,055 kg S 4.4 AT about 3.31; and the 2,055 kg GT 4.4 AT about 3.24. The lighter GT therefore combines the catalogue’s highest output with one of its strongest weight-to-power results.

Which Alpina B5 version should you choose?

Choose the 1 generation restyling 4.4 AT at 1,720 kg if low weight and RWD matter most. It has 530 hp, a 3.25 kg-per-horsepower ratio, 4.6-second acceleration and a 317 km/h top speed. It is 90 kg lighter than the other 530 hp 4.4 AT, while matching its acceleration and top speed.

Choose the restyled 2 generation 4.4 AT with 600 hp and a 2,015 kg kerb weight if fuel consumption and RWD performance are the priorities. It delivers 800 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and has the catalogue’s lowest combined consumption at 9.5 l/100 km. Against the heavier 600 hp alternative, it is 95 kg lighter, reaches 5 km/h more and uses 0.1 l/100 km less combined.

Choose the lighter 3 generation 4.4 AT if you want AWD and 608 hp without moving to the restyled S or GT. At 2,045 kg, it is 105 kg lighter than the other 608 hp version. That difference accompanies a 0.2-second advantage to 100 km/h and an 8 km/h higher top speed, although both have identical 10.9 l/100 km combined consumption.

Choose the 2,055 kg S 4.4 AT if acceleration matters more than maximum stated power. Its 621 hp, 800 Nm, 3.4-second acceleration and 330 km/h top speed match the listed GT’s performance while using the same 11.1 l/100 km combined.

Choose the 2,055 kg GT 4.4 AT if the deciding criterion is horsepower. It produces 634 hp—13 hp more than the equivalent S 4.4 AT—while matching its 800 Nm, 3.4-second acceleration, 330 km/h top speed and 2,055 kg kerb weight. Choose the heavier GT 4.4 AT only if its 850 Nm figure is decisive: it adds 50 Nm over the lighter GT, but weighs 100 kg more, takes 0.2 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h and has a top speed 8 km/h lower.

No price, market availability or sales data is supplied, so this comparison cannot determine what any extra purchase cost buys. It can only show what the numerical specification differences buy: more power, more torque, lower weight, quicker acceleration, higher top speed or lower listed fuel consumption.