Driving the Alpina B6 4.6 V8 -- the car BMW M said couldn't be built (Hagerty)

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by jackgreer

Does the existence of this car assist or destroy the rumors that the second x5 (first being the year 2000 4.4i) with the higher displacement offering - e53 4.6is N/A v8 m62tu was originally designed by alpina ? Genuinely curious what people think

I doubt it, I'd like to think if Alpina is going to sink resources into R&D they're going to build it and badge it. I've never heard that story before, doesn't mean it isn't possibly true though.

[jackgreer]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

I doubt it, I'd like to think if Alpina is going to sink resources into R&D they're going to build it and badge it. I've never heard that story before, doesn't mean it isn't possibly true though.

I’ve always read about it on forums - checked Wikipedia and even they acknowledge the supposed involvement , see below:

A sport model, badged 4.6is was released in 2001. The 4.6is, equipped with the M62B46 V8 engine, made 342 hp (255 kW). The 4.6is was available in 4 colors (black, imola red, estoril blue, and titanium silver). It featured 20 inch wheels that were fitted over larger brakes than the stock X5. It also had additional rear fender flares along with different front and rear bumpers. In 2004, the 4.6is was replaced by a 4.8is model which was not the M62B48 4.8L V8, which Alpina developed for its Alpina B10 V8S and the Alpina Roadster V8, but rather an entirely new engine called the N62 engine producing 355 hp (265 kW).

[jackgreer]

Originally Posted by jackgreer

I’ve always read about it on forums - checked Wikipedia and even they acknowledge the supposed involvement , see below:

A sport model, badged 4.6is was released in 2001. The 4.6is, equipped with the M62B46"]M62B46[/URL][COLOR=#202122FF]M62B46[SIZE=2]"] V8 engine, made 342 hp (255 kW). The 4.6is was available in 4 colors (black, imola red, estoril blue, and titanium silver). It featured 20 inch wheels that were fitted over larger brakes than the stock X5. It also had additional rear fender flares along with different front and rear bumpers. In 2004, the 4.6is was replaced by a 4.8is model which was not [/URL]the M62B48"]M62B48[/URL][COLOR=#202122FF]M62B48[SIZE=2]"] 4.8L V8, [/URL]which Alpina"]Alpina[/URL][COLOR=#202122FF]Alpina[SIZE=2]"] developed for its [/URL][SIZE=2]Alpina"]Alpina B10 V8S and the [SIZE=2]Alpina"]Alpina Roadster V8, but rather an entirely new engine called the N62"]N62[/URL][COLOR=#202122FF]N62[SIZE=2]"] engine producing 355 hp (265 kW).[/URL]

Or actually from the information above , it might not be informed by alpina but just the base engine developed by bmw that alpina reworked for their badged b10

[Orjan]

Originally Posted by jackgreer

Does the existence of this car assist or destroy the rumors that the second x5 (first being the year 2000 4.4i) with the higher displacement offering - e53 4.6is N/A v8 m62tu was originally designed by alpina ? Genuinely curious what people think

BMW did infact borrow Alpina engine design for the X5 4.6is, but that is another engine than this B8 4.6.

The E36 B8 4.6 has an Alpina modified M60B40, originally found in the E34 540i. The X5 4.6 is an Alpina modified M62B44 originally found in the E39 540i , and used in the Alpina B10 V8.

BMW wanted to have a high performance X5 to compete with the ML55 AMG, but the S62 (E39 M5 engine) weren't compatible with an auto transmission, so they used the Alpina engine design.



The X5 4.6is is the third car were BMW had to use tech from Alpina to achieve their goal.

The first was the E9 3.0CSL in 1970/71



The second was the E30 333i in 1985/86

[jackgreer]

Originally Posted by Orjan

BMW did infact borrow Alpina engine design for the X5 4.6is, but that is another engine than this B8 4.6.

The E36 B8 4.6 has an Alpina modified M60B40, originally found in the E34 540i. The X5 4.6 is an Alpina modified M62B44 originally found in the E39 540i , and used in the Alpina B10 V8.

BMW wanted to have a high performance X5 to compete with the ML55 AMG, but the S62 (E39 M5 engine) weren't compatible with an auto transmission, so they used the Alpina engine design.



The X5 4.6is is the third car were BMW had to use tech from Alpina to achieve their goal.

The first was the E9 3.0CSL in 1970/71



The second was the E30 333i in 1985/86

I wonder if anyone has done a 4.6is m62 or 4.8is n62 swap into an e39 540i 6mt as a cheaper alternative build to an s62 e39m5 with similar displacement and horsepower…similar. Not the same. I know.

[Orjan]

Alpina built a lot of those

[jackgreer]

Originally Posted by Orjan

Alpina built a lot of those

We don’t get to see such beauty here in the US. As a touring that is one of the coolest cars bmw/alpina has made.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by jackgreer

Or actually from the information above , it might not be informed by alpina but just the base engine developed by bmw that alpina reworked for their badged b10

yep, that would make sense as that's what Alpina has always done.

That being said, there has always been a lot of cross-pollination between BMW and Alpina, so anything's possible.