Alpina B8: which version to choose
If the choice is “which Alpina B8 to live with,” the data split is three generations and five listed versions, not a single car. 1 generation (1977–1980, Sedan) is one 3.2 MT. 2 generation (1995–1998, Cabrio) lists three 4.6 MT cars that share the same name and 333 hp, then differ in 0–100, top speed, clearance, tank and weight. 3 generation (from 2021-03, Sedan, no end date) is one 4.4 AT.
If the choice is “which Alpina B8 to live with,” the data split is three generations and five listed versions, not a single car. 1 generation (1977–1980, Sedan) is one 3.2 MT. 2 generation (1995–1998, Cabrio) lists three 4.6 MT cars that share the same name and 333 hp, then differ in 0–100, top speed, clearance, tank and weight. 3 generation (from 2021-03, Sedan, no end date) is one 4.4 AT. There is no measured price in this catalogue, so “which to buy” here means which numbers you actually get: power per litre, kilograms per horsepower where weight is measured, how much faster the next generation is, and what the three identically named 4.6 MT entries do not share.
Alpina B8 generations compared: what actually changed
1 generation is the only Sedan of the early run and the only six-cylinder B8 in this set: one version, 3.2 MT, Gasoline, Inline 6, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, 5-speed Manual, RWD. Production window on the generation card is 1977-01-01 to 1980-12-31; the 3.2 MT row itself is dated 1979-01-01 to 1986-12-31. That is the only B8 here with rear brakes labelled Disc rather than ventilated, and the only one with Central injection (single-point or single- point). Torque, fuel use, tank, both weights, clearance and wheels are not measured.
2 generation is the only Cabrio and the only 4.6-litre cluster: three versions, all named 4.6 MT, all 333 hp, all 470 Nm at 3900 rpm, all 4619 cm³ Gasoline V-shaped 8, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, 5-speed Manual, RWD, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 95. The generation does not add a second body or a second engine family; the choice inside it is which of the three 4.6 MT rows matches the figures you care about (see below). Independent, spring suspension is the same front and rear on every version in this catalogue.
3 generation is a Sedan again, but it is not a return to the 3.2 MT formula. One version, 4.4 AT: 4395 cm³ Gasoline V-shaped 8, Turbo, Direct injection (direct), 8-speed Automatic, AWD, fuel 98, Euro 6. Displacement is 224 cm³ smaller than every 4.6 MT (4619 − 4395), yet output is 288 hp higher (621 − 333) and torque is 330 Nm higher (800 − 470). That is the generation step: less swept volume, Turbo instead of No, Automatic instead of Manual, AWD instead of RWD, and the only measured consumption, CO2, wheel sizes and Euro class in the whole B8 table.
Alpina B8 engine specs by version (hp, Nm, layout, boost, gearbox, drive)
| Version | Generation | hp | kW | Nm | cm³ | Fuel type | Cylinders / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 MT | 1 generation, Sedan | 240 at 5500 rpm | 177 | not measured | 3210 | Gasoline | 6 Inline | No | Manual 5 | RWD |
| 4.6 MT (245 kW, 5.8 s, 270 km/h, 110 mm) | 2 generation, Cabrio | 333 at 5700 rpm | 245 | 470 at 3900 rpm | 4619 | Gasoline | 8 V-shaped | No | Manual 5 | RWD |
| 4.6 MT (244 kW, 5.6 s, 281 km/h, 1500 kg) | 2 generation, Cabrio | 333 at 5700 rpm | 244 | 470 at 3900 rpm | 4619 | Gasoline | 8 V-shaped | No | Manual 5 | RWD |
| 4.6 MT (245 kW, 5.7 s, 275 km/h, 125 mm) | 2 generation, Cabrio | 333 at 5700 rpm | 245 | 470 at 3900 rpm | 4619 | Gasoline | 8 V-shaped | No | Manual 5 | RWD |
| 4.4 AT | 3 generation, Sedan | 621 at 5500–6500 rpm | 456 | 800 at 2000–5000 rpm | 4395 | Gasoline | 8 V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic 8 | AWD |
3.2 MT is 93 hp below any 4.6 MT (333 − 240) and 381 hp below 4.4 AT (621 − 240). Per litre: 3.2 MT is 240 ÷ 3.210 ≈ 74.8 hp/l; each 4.6 MT is 333 ÷ 4.619 ≈ 72.1 hp/l; 4.4 AT is 621 ÷ 4.395 ≈ 141.3 hp/l — about 1.96 times the 4.6 MT specific output (141.3 ÷ 72.1) and about 1.89 times 3.2 MT (141.3 ÷ 74.8). The naturally aspirated 8 in 4.6 MT is therefore the least powerful per litre of the three engine sizes; the Turbo 8 in 4.4 AT is the most.
Compression is 9.3 on 3.2 MT, 10.5 on the two 4.6 MT rows that list it and on 4.4 AT; the 4.6 MT with 244 kW has compression not measured. Bore × stroke is 86 × 80 on 3.2 MT, 93 × 85 on the two 4.6 MT rows that list it, 89 × 88.3 on 4.4 AT; again the 244 kW 4.6 MT has bore and stroke not measured. Engine position is Front, longitudinal on that same 4.6 MT and on 4.4 AT; it is not measured on 3.2 MT and on the other two 4.6 MT rows.
The 1 kW gap between 244 kW and 245 kW on the three 4.6 MT names is the only power difference among those three; horsepower is the same 333 hp. Do not treat them as different engines on hp. Treat them as three catalogue rows of 4.6 MT that disagree on kW by 1, on 0–100 by 0.2 s, and on top speed by 11 km/h.
Alpina B8 horsepower, 0–100 and top speed: which version is actually quicker
4.4 AT is the fastest B8 in this file: 3.4 s to 100 km/h and 324 km/h. Against the quickest 4.6 MT (5.6 s, 281 km/h) that is 2.2 s and 43 km/h. Against the slowest 4.6 MT (5.8 s, 270 km/h) that is 2.4 s and 54 km/h. Against 3.2 MT (7.8 s, 228 km/h) that is 4.4 s and 96 km/h.
Inside 2 generation, the three 4.6 MT rows sort as:
- 4.6 MT 244 kW: 5.6 s, 281 km/h — shortest sprint and highest top speed of the Cabrio set.
- 4.6 MT 245 kW with 125 mm clearance: 5.7 s, 275 km/h — 0.1 s and 6 km/h behind the 244 kW row.
- 4.6 MT 245 kW with 110 mm clearance: 5.8 s, 270 km/h — 0.2 s and 11 km/h behind the 244 kW row.
If the buying question is “the 4.6 Cabrio, but which one,” the numbers pick the 244 kW 4.6 MT for both 0–100 and top speed. The 110 mm 4.6 MT is the slowest of the three on both figures. The 125 mm 4.6 MT sits in the middle (5.7 s, 275 km/h) and is the only one of those two 245 kW rows with higher listed clearance.
3.2 MT at 7.8 s and 228 km/h is 2.0 s slower to 100 than the slowest 4.6 MT (7.8 − 5.8) and 42 km/h slower at the top (270 − 228); versus the fastest 4.6 MT the gaps are 2.2 s and 53 km/h (281 − 228). The first generation is the B8 to choose only if the requirement is the Inline 6, 3210 cm³, 2 valves per cylinder and Sedan of that era — not if the requirement is the smallest 0–100 or the highest km/h.
Torque that you can compare exists only from 2 generation onward: 470 Nm at 3900 rpm on every 4.6 MT, 800 Nm from 2000 to 5000 rpm on 4.4 AT. That is +330 Nm and a band that starts 1900 rpm lower (3900 − 2000). 3.2 MT torque is not measured, so a newton-metre ranking that includes the first generation is not possible from this data.
Alpina B8 mpg, tank and Euro 6: only 4.4 AT is measured
City, highway, mixed, CO2 and eco class are not measured on 3.2 MT and not measured on any 4.6 MT. Stating a consumption advantage for the Cabrio or the early Sedan would invent a number. The only measured set is 4.4 AT: 15.8 l/100 km city, 8.4 highway, 11.1 mixed, 254 g/km CO2, Euro 6.
Tank: 4.4 AT 68 l; the 244 kW 4.6 MT 95 l; 3.2 MT and the other two 4.6 MT rows not measured. The measured Cabrio tank is 27 l larger (95 − 68). Mixed range on 4.4 AT from those two figures is 68 ÷ 11.1 × 100 ≈ 612 km. Range for any 4.6 MT cannot be calculated because consumption is not measured, even on the row that lists 95 l.
Fuel grade: 3.2 MT and all three 4.6 MT list 95; 4.4 AT lists 98. That is a running-cost difference you can name without a price: the current Sedan is the only B8 here specified for 98.
Alpina B8 weight, clearance and dimensions-related specs
Kerb and gross weight are measured on two versions only.
- 4.6 MT 244 kW: 1500 kg kerb, 1980 kg gross. Payload from those two: 1980 − 1500 = 480 kg. kg per hp: 1500 ÷ 333 ≈ 4.50 kg/hp.
- 4.4 AT: 2175 kg kerb, 2600 kg gross. Payload: 2600 − 2175 = 425 kg. kg per hp: 2175 ÷ 621 ≈ 3.50 kg/hp.
4.4 AT is 675 kg heavier at the kerb (2175 − 1500) and 620 kg heavier gross (2600 − 1980), with 55 kg less payload (480 − 425). It is still the lighter car per horsepower: 4.50 − 3.50 = 1.00 kg/hp less than the measured 4.6 MT. 3.2 MT and the two 245 kW 4.6 MT rows have both masses not measured, so kg/hp for those three is not measured.
Ground clearance: 110 mm on the 5.8 s 4.6 MT, 125 mm on the 5.7 s 4.6 MT (15 mm more), not measured on the 244 kW 4.6 MT, not measured on 3.2 MT, not measured on 4.4 AT. If clearance is the buying filter inside the Cabrio name, the data pick the 125 mm 4.6 MT, not the 110 mm 4.6 MT.
Wheels are not measured except on 4.4 AT: 245/35 R21 and 285/30 R21. Length and other body dimensions are not in this dataset for any version; they are not measured here.
Brakes: every version has Ventilated disc at the front. Rear is Disc on 3.2 MT and Disc ventilated on all four later versions. Suspension wording is Independent, spring front and rear on every row.
Which Alpina B8 version to choose
Choose 3 generation 4.4 AT if the job is the highest hp (621), the highest Nm (800), the shortest 0–100 (3.4 s), the highest top speed (324 km/h), AWD, Automatic 8, Turbo, Direct injection (direct), Euro 6, and the only B8 here with measured consumption (15.8 / 8.4 / 11.1) and wheel sizes. It is also the only version on 98. What you give up versus the one weighed Cabrio is 675 kg extra kerb mass, 27 l less tank, 55 kg less payload, and no measured clearance. Specific output (≈141.3 hp/l) and kg/hp (≈3.50) both favour 4.4 AT over the measured 4.6 MT.
Choose 2 generation 4.6 MT — specifically the 244 kW row (5.6 s, 281 km/h, 1500 kg, 95 l) if the job is the Cabrio, Manual 5, RWD, 4619 cm³ with boost No, fuel 95, and the best 0–100 and top speed inside the three same-name 4.6 MT entries. This is the only 4.6 MT with kerb, gross and tank measured. Engine position is Front, longitudinal here; compression and bore × stroke are not measured on this row.
Choose 2 generation 4.6 MT — the 245 kW row with 125 mm clearance (5.7 s, 275 km/h) if the Cabrio must have the higher listed clearance. You give up 0.1 s and 6 km/h to the 244 kW 4.6 MT, and tank and both weights are not measured. Compression 10.5 and 93 × 85 are listed.
Choose 2 generation 4.6 MT — the 245 kW row with 110 mm clearance (5.8 s, 270 km/h) only if that 110 mm figure is the one you need. It is the slowest 4.6 MT on both 0–100 and top speed (0.2 s and 11 km/h behind the 244 kW row). Tank and both weights are not measured. Compression 10.5 and 93 × 85 are listed, same as the 125 mm row.
Choose 1 generation 3.2 MT if the requirement is the early Sedan, 3210 cm³ Inline 6, 2 valves per cylinder, Central injection (single-point or single- point), 240 hp, Manual 5, RWD, fuel 95. It is 93 hp below every 4.6 MT and 381 hp below 4.4 AT, with 7.8 s and 228 km/h. Torque, consumption, tank, weights, clearance and wheels are not measured — so you cannot rank it on kg/hp or on l/100 km from this catalogue.
There is no Alpina B8 GT, Gran Coupe, or year-coded 2022/2023/2025 row in these data; the current generation is the single 4.4 AT from 2021-03 with no stop date. A vs-M8 comparison is not possible here: no M8 figures are in the source. Price and cars for sale are not measured. Where a cell is empty above, the honest label is not measured, not “does not exist.”