Performance Review: BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Alpina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 is the 6 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular BMW Alpina has a 4398cc 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 1720 kgs (3791 lbs) this makes the BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 in the same weight category as the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Alpina shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 4398cc 32V V8 engine produces 500 bhp (372 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 516 lb-ft (699.6 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 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 2017 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS-R 6.2 V8 (315.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Alpina.

The BMW Alpina has a Power to weight ratio of 290.6 bhp per ton and 300.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Alpina competing with the 2017 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS-R 6.2 V8 (315.4 bhp per ton) or the 2019 BMW 8 Series M8 Competition Coupe 4.4 V8 Turbo F92 (314.2 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 300.0 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 2003 Ford GT 5.4 V8 (325.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG (324.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Alpina and the 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46

When talking about the performance of the BMW Alpina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.56 secs @ 108.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 (12.50 secs), the 1996 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E36 (12.50 secs), and the 2020 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 Turbo (12.50 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 has a maximum speed of 195mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Alpina equals the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 then how about the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 mph), the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 Decennium (206 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Alpina Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison