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BMW Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe 3.0 (A) Review
26 Aug 2015|19,676 views
These days, whenever we think of top-of-the-range performance BMWs, the letter 'M' inevitably springs to mind, with visual images of bold muscular Bimmers with gloriously sweet exhaust notes.
But for some of us, said performance Bimmer has the tendency to come across as a little too flashy, and a tad too harsh with its stiff track-ready springs. Some detractors lament that modern day M-cars have deviated from the original formula of offering usable everyday performance, and placed its focus far too much on the track.
Monikers differentiate it from the regular 4 Series Coupe
While chasing performance numbers and track times does undeniably raise the brand's profile, there remains a group of drivers who prefers to step on the finer side of motoring and would choose to opt for a similar level of performance but not at the expense of daily driveability.
For these discerning folks, there is an answer to such niche demands, and it's called the Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe - a limited-numbered car built by specialist German manufacturer Alpina and lovingly put together by its dedicated team of engineers using proprietary parts engineered specially to achieve the company's idea of what a BMW 4 Series Coupe should drive and feel like.
But for some of us, said performance Bimmer has the tendency to come across as a little too flashy, and a tad too harsh with its stiff track-ready springs. Some detractors lament that modern day M-cars have deviated from the original formula of offering usable everyday performance, and placed its focus far too much on the track.
While chasing performance numbers and track times does undeniably raise the brand's profile, there remains a group of drivers who prefers to step on the finer side of motoring and would choose to opt for a similar level of performance but not at the expense of daily driveability.
For these discerning folks, there is an answer to such niche demands, and it's called the Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe - a limited-numbered car built by specialist German manufacturer Alpina and lovingly put together by its dedicated team of engineers using proprietary parts engineered specially to achieve the company's idea of what a BMW 4 Series Coupe should drive and feel like.
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Exterior
From the outset, the Alpina B4 doesn't stand out more than the average pimped out BMW with a sports body kit and large 20-inch wheels capped with the Alpina emblem. Save from nondescript badgework at the rear of the car that detail both manufacturer (Alpina) and model (B4 Bi-Turbo) and Alpina branding on the lip of the front bumper, the B4 has little tell-tale signs to hint at its uniqueness.
However, for enthusiasts who crave craftsmanship and attention to detail, the B4's sporty look is the result of wind-tunnel testing and development. Designed to optimise aerodynamic efficiency and stability, every feature of the car has been intended to serve one specific purpose - stability at speeds in excess of 300km/h. The sane among us may question the practical probability of pushing the car to such extremes, but one can never tell what the foolhardy may do.
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Having said that, it's still very much a matter of taste because what you see in the car here is what's available. The good news, though, is that apart from the classic Alpina Blue and Green, customers can opt for colours that are available from the BMW Individual palette.
Interior
Similarly, nothing differs extensively from a 'stock' BMW 435i. Save for Alpina branded pins on the seats, blue and green contrast stitching and an instrument cluster coloured Alpina Blue on both dash and steering wheel, much of the car's interior is as stock as the regular Bimmer, which is already very well-appointed, to say the least.
Apart from the Alpina badges, the cabin is BMW-familiar
For greater exclusivity, the car's centre console sports a plaque that details the car's production number off the BMW production line. It does not quite tally up with the fact that the B4s available are currently one out of a limited production of 30 cars, but it does highlight that our car is the 31st 4 Series 435i to come off the production line in Germany.
Interior
Similarly, nothing differs extensively from a 'stock' BMW 435i. Save for Alpina branded pins on the seats, blue and green contrast stitching and an instrument cluster coloured Alpina Blue on both dash and steering wheel, much of the car's interior is as stock as the regular Bimmer, which is already very well-appointed, to say the least.
For greater exclusivity, the car's centre console sports a plaque that details the car's production number off the BMW production line. It does not quite tally up with the fact that the B4s available are currently one out of a limited production of 30 cars, but it does highlight that our car is the 31st 4 Series 435i to come off the production line in Germany.
The Drive
It's only on the go that you realise how spectacular the B4 really is. Under the car's bonnet beats a 3.0-litre straight-six engine that features the M135i. Except that in the B4, Alpina has completely reworked it and equipped it with a second turbocharger and hand-worked the engine with lightweight high-strength parts so that it can keep up with the stresses of making 410bhp with a whopping 600Nm of torque.
3.0-litre engine is good for 410 horses and 600Nm of torque
Gun the B4 from a standstill and it'll bolt from 0-100km/h (4.2 seconds) before you'd be able to mouth the words "holy smokes". The experience of driving the car at speed feels immensely linear, like that of a large-engined sports car, with an exhaust soundtrack that booms with a stronger bass instead of howling like a young testosterone-charged adolescent in heat.
And unlike your standard issue BMW, the B4 doesn't come harnessed with electronic speed limiters, which will allow you to join the 300km/h club whenever a long enough stretch of open road presents itself.
It's only on the go that you realise how spectacular the B4 really is. Under the car's bonnet beats a 3.0-litre straight-six engine that features the M135i. Except that in the B4, Alpina has completely reworked it and equipped it with a second turbocharger and hand-worked the engine with lightweight high-strength parts so that it can keep up with the stresses of making 410bhp with a whopping 600Nm of torque.
Gun the B4 from a standstill and it'll bolt from 0-100km/h (4.2 seconds) before you'd be able to mouth the words "holy smokes". The experience of driving the car at speed feels immensely linear, like that of a large-engined sports car, with an exhaust soundtrack that booms with a stronger bass instead of howling like a young testosterone-charged adolescent in heat.
And unlike your standard issue BMW, the B4 doesn't come harnessed with electronic speed limiters, which will allow you to join the 300km/h club whenever a long enough stretch of open road presents itself.
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But the real joy comes from how restrained and effortless the car is to drive. The eight-speed automatic makes gear shifting a breezy affair while the adaptive Alpina sport suspension works to keep the car nicely planted round corners, while maintaining excellent levels of comfort for passengers.
Biggish 20-inch wheels does not compromise on ride comfort
It's a remarkable achievement, given how capable the standard 4 Series, on which the B4 is based upon, already is. But somehow Alpina has managed to refine it further, conjuring up its magic to produce such a sublime car that offers virtually no compromises.
For the enthusiast, the B4 handles any situation with exceptional poise, with its excellent balance of performance and handling. And yet in an instant, once you're done with your fun, it settles down into a comforting, cosseting cruiser, hiding its performance instincts until the moment you feel like unleashing them again.
It's a remarkable achievement, given how capable the standard 4 Series, on which the B4 is based upon, already is. But somehow Alpina has managed to refine it further, conjuring up its magic to produce such a sublime car that offers virtually no compromises.
For the enthusiast, the B4 handles any situation with exceptional poise, with its excellent balance of performance and handling. And yet in an instant, once you're done with your fun, it settles down into a comforting, cosseting cruiser, hiding its performance instincts until the moment you feel like unleashing them again.
Conclusion
Experientially, the B4 comes across as a grown up version of the BMW M4. It's equally quick off the mark and capable of spirited driving. And while it may not look as exciting as its 'M'-badged counterpart, it's a car that really fills in all the gaps between the different 4 Series model variants and appeals to both heart and mind with its blend of performance and comfort.
It's not every day we come across a car such as the B4, a car that feels truly well-rounded and balanced, capable of eliciting a smile upon any driver who chances upon it. The lack of drama can be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on your personality, but perhaps for many, therein lies the Alpina's appeal.
It offers everything a driver could want, with few of the drawbacks that perhaps a more outlandish car may attract. You can call it a performance BMW for those in the know, offering all of the substance without overdoing the style. You'll pay a price for it, of course, but it is definitely a price worth paying.
Experientially, the B4 comes across as a grown up version of the BMW M4. It's equally quick off the mark and capable of spirited driving. And while it may not look as exciting as its 'M'-badged counterpart, it's a car that really fills in all the gaps between the different 4 Series model variants and appeals to both heart and mind with its blend of performance and comfort.
It's not every day we come across a car such as the B4, a car that feels truly well-rounded and balanced, capable of eliciting a smile upon any driver who chances upon it. The lack of drama can be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on your personality, but perhaps for many, therein lies the Alpina's appeal.
It offers everything a driver could want, with few of the drawbacks that perhaps a more outlandish car may attract. You can call it a performance BMW for those in the know, offering all of the substance without overdoing the style. You'll pay a price for it, of course, but it is definitely a price worth paying.
These days, whenever we think of top-of-the-range performance BMWs, the letter 'M' inevitably springs to mind, with visual images of bold muscular Bimmers with gloriously sweet exhaust notes.
But for some of us, said performance Bimmer has the tendency to come across as a little too flashy, and a tad too harsh with its stiff track-ready springs. Some detractors lament that modern day M-cars have deviated from the original formula of offering usable everyday performance, and placed its focus far too much on the track.
While chasing performance numbers and track times does undeniably raise the brand's profile, there remains a group of drivers who prefers to step on the finer side of motoring and would choose to opt for a similar level of performance but not at the expense of daily driveability.
For these discerning folks, there is an answer to such niche demands, and it's called the Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe - a limited-numbered car built by specialist German manufacturer Alpina and lovingly put together by its dedicated team of engineers using proprietary parts engineered specially to achieve the company's idea of what a BMW 4 Series Coupe should drive and feel like.
But for some of us, said performance Bimmer has the tendency to come across as a little too flashy, and a tad too harsh with its stiff track-ready springs. Some detractors lament that modern day M-cars have deviated from the original formula of offering usable everyday performance, and placed its focus far too much on the track.
While chasing performance numbers and track times does undeniably raise the brand's profile, there remains a group of drivers who prefers to step on the finer side of motoring and would choose to opt for a similar level of performance but not at the expense of daily driveability.
For these discerning folks, there is an answer to such niche demands, and it's called the Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe - a limited-numbered car built by specialist German manufacturer Alpina and lovingly put together by its dedicated team of engineers using proprietary parts engineered specially to achieve the company's idea of what a BMW 4 Series Coupe should drive and feel like.
Exterior
From the outset, the Alpina B4 doesn't stand out more than the average pimped out BMW with a sports body kit and large 20-inch wheels capped with the Alpina emblem. Save from nondescript badgework at the rear of the car that detail both manufacturer (Alpina) and model (B4 Bi-Turbo) and Alpina branding on the lip of the front bumper, the B4 has little tell-tale signs to hint at its uniqueness.
However, for enthusiasts who crave craftsmanship and attention to detail, the B4's sporty look is the result of wind-tunnel testing and development. Designed to optimise aerodynamic efficiency and stability, every feature of the car has been intended to serve one specific purpose - stability at speeds in excess of 300km/h. The sane among us may question the practical probability of pushing the car to such extremes, but one can never tell what the foolhardy may do.
Having said that, it's still very much a matter of taste because what you see in the car here is what's available. The good news, though, is that apart from the classic Alpina Blue and Green, customers can opt for colours that are available from the BMW Individual palette.
Interior
Similarly, nothing differs extensively from a 'stock' BMW 435i. Save for Alpina branded pins on the seats, blue and green contrast stitching and an instrument cluster coloured Alpina Blue on both dash and steering wheel, much of the car's interior is as stock as the regular Bimmer, which is already very well-appointed, to say the least.
For greater exclusivity, the car's centre console sports a plaque that details the car's production number off the BMW production line. It does not quite tally up with the fact that the B4s available are currently one out of a limited production of 30 cars, but it does highlight that our car is the 31st 4 Series 435i to come off the production line in Germany.
Interior
Similarly, nothing differs extensively from a 'stock' BMW 435i. Save for Alpina branded pins on the seats, blue and green contrast stitching and an instrument cluster coloured Alpina Blue on both dash and steering wheel, much of the car's interior is as stock as the regular Bimmer, which is already very well-appointed, to say the least.
For greater exclusivity, the car's centre console sports a plaque that details the car's production number off the BMW production line. It does not quite tally up with the fact that the B4s available are currently one out of a limited production of 30 cars, but it does highlight that our car is the 31st 4 Series 435i to come off the production line in Germany.
The Drive
It's only on the go that you realise how spectacular the B4 really is. Under the car's bonnet beats a 3.0-litre straight-six engine that features the M135i. Except that in the B4, Alpina has completely reworked it and equipped it with a second turbocharger and hand-worked the engine with lightweight high-strength parts so that it can keep up with the stresses of making 410bhp with a whopping 600Nm of torque.
Gun the B4 from a standstill and it'll bolt from 0-100km/h (4.2 seconds) before you'd be able to mouth the words "holy smokes". The experience of driving the car at speed feels immensely linear, like that of a large-engined sports car, with an exhaust soundtrack that booms with a stronger bass instead of howling like a young testosterone-charged adolescent in heat.
And unlike your standard issue BMW, the B4 doesn't come harnessed with electronic speed limiters, which will allow you to join the 300km/h club whenever a long enough stretch of open road presents itself.
It's only on the go that you realise how spectacular the B4 really is. Under the car's bonnet beats a 3.0-litre straight-six engine that features the M135i. Except that in the B4, Alpina has completely reworked it and equipped it with a second turbocharger and hand-worked the engine with lightweight high-strength parts so that it can keep up with the stresses of making 410bhp with a whopping 600Nm of torque.
Gun the B4 from a standstill and it'll bolt from 0-100km/h (4.2 seconds) before you'd be able to mouth the words "holy smokes". The experience of driving the car at speed feels immensely linear, like that of a large-engined sports car, with an exhaust soundtrack that booms with a stronger bass instead of howling like a young testosterone-charged adolescent in heat.
And unlike your standard issue BMW, the B4 doesn't come harnessed with electronic speed limiters, which will allow you to join the 300km/h club whenever a long enough stretch of open road presents itself.
But the real joy comes from how restrained and effortless the car is to drive. The eight-speed automatic makes gear shifting a breezy affair while the adaptive Alpina sport suspension works to keep the car nicely planted round corners, while maintaining excellent levels of comfort for passengers.
It's a remarkable achievement, given how capable the standard 4 Series, on which the B4 is based upon, already is. But somehow Alpina has managed to refine it further, conjuring up its magic to produce such a sublime car that offers virtually no compromises.
For the enthusiast, the B4 handles any situation with exceptional poise, with its excellent balance of performance and handling. And yet in an instant, once you're done with your fun, it settles down into a comforting, cosseting cruiser, hiding its performance instincts until the moment you feel like unleashing them again.
It's a remarkable achievement, given how capable the standard 4 Series, on which the B4 is based upon, already is. But somehow Alpina has managed to refine it further, conjuring up its magic to produce such a sublime car that offers virtually no compromises.
For the enthusiast, the B4 handles any situation with exceptional poise, with its excellent balance of performance and handling. And yet in an instant, once you're done with your fun, it settles down into a comforting, cosseting cruiser, hiding its performance instincts until the moment you feel like unleashing them again.
Conclusion
Experientially, the B4 comes across as a grown up version of the BMW M4. It's equally quick off the mark and capable of spirited driving. And while it may not look as exciting as its 'M'-badged counterpart, it's a car that really fills in all the gaps between the different 4 Series model variants and appeals to both heart and mind with its blend of performance and comfort.
It's not every day we come across a car such as the B4, a car that feels truly well-rounded and balanced, capable of eliciting a smile upon any driver who chances upon it. The lack of drama can be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on your personality, but perhaps for many, therein lies the Alpina's appeal.
It offers everything a driver could want, with few of the drawbacks that perhaps a more outlandish car may attract. You can call it a performance BMW for those in the know, offering all of the substance without overdoing the style. You'll pay a price for it, of course, but it is definitely a price worth paying.
Experientially, the B4 comes across as a grown up version of the BMW M4. It's equally quick off the mark and capable of spirited driving. And while it may not look as exciting as its 'M'-badged counterpart, it's a car that really fills in all the gaps between the different 4 Series model variants and appeals to both heart and mind with its blend of performance and comfort.
It's not every day we come across a car such as the B4, a car that feels truly well-rounded and balanced, capable of eliciting a smile upon any driver who chances upon it. The lack of drama can be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on your personality, but perhaps for many, therein lies the Alpina's appeal.
It offers everything a driver could want, with few of the drawbacks that perhaps a more outlandish car may attract. You can call it a performance BMW for those in the know, offering all of the substance without overdoing the style. You'll pay a price for it, of course, but it is definitely a price worth paying.
Photos by Jonathan Tan
Car Information
BMW ALPINA B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe 3.0 (A)
CAT B|Petrol|9.8km/L
Horsepower
306kW (410 bhp)
Torque
600 Nm
Acceleration
4.2sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used BMW ALPINA B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe
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