Performance Review: BMW Alpina B10 V8S - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Alpina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Alpina B10 V8S is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular BMW Alpina has a 4837cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Alpina shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Alpina's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1727 kgs (3807 lbs) this makes the BMW Alpina B10 V8S in the same weight category as the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Alpina shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 4837cc 32V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 376 lb-ft (509.7 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW Alpina you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (242.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Alpina.

The BMW Alpina has a Power to weight ratio of 217.1 bhp per ton and 217.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 Alpina competing with the 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (242.1 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 (242.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW Alpina generating around 217.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (242.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i F21 LCI (242.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the BMW Alpina B10 V8S as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs). This BMW Alpina B10 V8S is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Alpina and the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the BMW Alpina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.84 secs @ 98.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (13.78 secs), the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (13.78 secs), and the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8 (13.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the BMW Alpina B10 V8S has a maximum speed of 177mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 Alpina equals the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (188 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 BMW Alpina B10 V8S then how about the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (188 mph), the 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (188 mph), or the 2017 Mercedes GT AMG Roadster (188 mph).

Related Links:

2002 Alpina Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison