Alpina D5

Alpina D5: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Alpina D5 catalogue contains four production stages across two generations, all represented here as Sedan models with two 3.0 AT versions in each stage. The choice is therefore not about engine size or transmission: every listed car has a 2,993 cc Diesel engine, 6 Inline cylinders, Turbo boost, and an 8-speed Automatic gearbox.

The Alpina D5 catalogue contains four production stages across two generations, all represented here as Sedan models with two 3.0 AT versions in each stage. The choice is therefore not about engine size or transmission: every listed car has a 2,993 cc Diesel engine, 6 Inline cylinders, Turbo boost, and an 8-speed Automatic gearbox. Instead, buyers should compare output, drive type, performance, fuel consumption, weight, and emissions. The 2011–2017 cars have 350 hp, 700 Nm, and RWD; the 2017–2020 second generation raises those figures to 388 hp and 800 Nm while adopting AWD; and the second-generation restyling from June 2020 offers 408 hp, 800 Nm, and AWD. Within each production stage, the two identically named 3.0 AT versions are best distinguished by their kerb weight and acceleration figures.

Alpina D5 generations: what changed?

The first generation ran from 2011 through 2013 as a Sedan with two versions, both named 3.0 AT and both producing 350 hp and 700 Nm. They use RWD and share the same engine and transmission specifications, but their weights and performance differ. The 1,865 kg version reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and has a 275 km/h maximum speed, while the 1,965 kg version takes 5.3 seconds and reaches 273 km/h.

The first-generation restyling ran from 2013 through 2017, remaining a Sedan with two 3.0 AT versions. Output stayed at 350 hp and 700 Nm, and both retained RWD and the 8-speed Automatic. The lighter version weighs 1,865 kg, accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, and reaches 278 km/h. The heavier version weighs 1,990 kg, needs 5.3 seconds, and reaches 276 km/h. Compared with the corresponding pre-restyling cars, maximum speed increased by 3 km/h in each case.

The second generation ran from 2017 to May 2020 as a Sedan with two 3.0 AT versions. Power increased by 38 hp to 388 hp, torque rose by 100 Nm to 800 Nm, and the drive system changed from RWD to AWD. The 1,930 kg version reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and has a 286 km/h maximum speed. The 2,035 kg version records 4.6 seconds and 283 km/h.

The second-generation restyling began in June 2020 and is listed without a stop date. It remains a Sedan with two 3.0 AT versions, now producing 408 hp and 800 Nm through AWD. The 2,010 kg version reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 286 km/h, while the 2,095 kg version takes 4.6 seconds and reaches 283 km/h. The restyling therefore adds 20 hp over the preceding second-generation versions but does not improve their listed acceleration or maximum-speed figures.

Alpina D5 engine and specs

Because displacement is unchanged, power per litre provides a direct comparison. The 350 hp cars produce approximately 117 hp per litre, the 388 hp cars approximately 130 hp per litre, and the 408 hp cars approximately 136 hp per litre. Torque per litre rises from approximately 234 Nm in the first generation to approximately 267 Nm in both second-generation stages.

The compression ratio is not measured for the 2011–2013 versions. It is 16.5 for both 2013–2017 versions and 16 for every listed second-generation version. Bore and stroke are 84 × 90 throughout the catalogue.

Alpina D5 performance and mpg

The lighter first-generation 3.0 AT has the lowest listed consumption at 5.9 L/100 km combined. Choosing the heavier first-generation 3.0 AT raises combined consumption by 0.3 L/100 km and adds 0.2 seconds to the 0–100 km/h time.

Moving from the lighter 2013–2017 3.0 AT to the lighter 2017–2020 3.0 AT cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 0.7 seconds and adds 8 km/h to maximum speed. The trade-off is an increase of 1.4 L/100 km in combined consumption and 37 g/km in CO₂ output.

The lighter restyled second-generation 3.0 AT combines 408 hp with 7 L/100 km, improving combined consumption by 0.3 L/100 km and CO₂ by 7 g/km against the lighter 388 hp version while matching its 4.4-second acceleration and 286 km/h maximum speed. The heavier 408 hp car uses 0.2 L/100 km less and emits 5 g/km less CO₂ than the heavier 388 hp car, again with unchanged performance figures.

No 0–60 mph measurement is supplied. The available acceleration measurement is 0–100 km/h for every version.

Alpina D5 dimensions, weight, tank, and wheels

Exterior length, width, and height are not measured in the supplied data. Ground clearance is also not measured except on the 2013–2017 versions, where it is 110 mm. All versions use independent spring suspension at both ends. Front brakes are Ventilated disc throughout; rear brakes are Disc on the lighter 2011–2013 version and Disc ventilated on the other listed versions.

Which Alpina D5 version should you buy?

For the strongest balance of performance and listed consumption, choose the from-June-2020 3.0 AT with 408 hp and a 2,010 kg kerb weight. It has the catalogue’s best weight-to-power figure at approximately 4.93 kg/hp, matches the fastest 4.4-second 0–100 km/h time and 286 km/h maximum speed, and records 7 L/100 km combined.

For the lowest fuel consumption, choose the 1,865 kg 3.0 AT from either 2011–2013 or 2013–2017. Both return 5.9 L/100 km combined and reach 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The restyled 2013–2017 version is the faster of those two at the top end, reaching 278 km/h rather than 275 km/h, and it also provides measured CO₂ output of 155 g/km and measured ground clearance of 110 mm.

For AWD with the lowest kerb weight, choose the 2017–2020 3.0 AT at 1,930 kg. It is 80 kg lighter than the comparable 2,010 kg restyled car and has the same 4.4-second acceleration and 286 km/h maximum speed, although the later version offers 20 hp more, consumes 0.3 L/100 km less combined, and emits 7 g/km less CO₂.

Within every production stage, the lighter 3.0 AT is the performance-oriented choice. It is always 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and at least 2 km/h faster. The heavier alternative does not gain power or torque, so the supplied figures give no performance reason to prefer it. Equipment, condition, reliability, maintenance history, prices, and sale availability are not measured, so they cannot be used here to rank used Alpina D5 examples.