TOKYO — Alpina, the BMW tuning specialist, chose the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show as the backdrop for unveiling its new B3 GT3 and B6 Biturbo.
First is the hard-to-miss lime-green B3 GT3, which churns out M3-like numbers with its 3-liter twin-turbocharged inline 6. The car produces 402 horsepower, delivered through a six-speed ZF automatic tranny, and commemorates Alpina's B6 GT3 model that competes in the German GT Series. The tuner says it sprints to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and maxes out at 186 mph, which sounds like what they say right before "Tested on a closed course in the hands of a professional driver." Right..
Some of its performance modifications include a titanium exhaust system, fully adjustable coilover suspension system, springs and stabilizer bars, racing brakes and a limited-slip differential. The exterior is dressed in a body kit that includes a carbon-fiber front splitter, rear diffuser and carbon-fiber wing. It also gets a set of 19-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires.
The show car is wrapped in green vinyl to look like the B6 GT3 racer, but the package will be offered in black, white or Alpina blue as well. It costs around $125,000 and only 99 examples will be produced, 30 of which are already designated for Japan.
The second Alpina, the B6 Biturbo, has the same twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 under the hood as the only Alpina sold in the U.S. — the B7. The tweaked coupe or convertible (your choice) develops 532 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque, and an eight-speed automatic helps it to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and top out at 199 mph. You'd think they'd have gone for one more mph.
A new exhaust system, revamped suspension and big brakes are some of the performance mods, and Alpina also fits it with a set of 20-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels.
From a distance it looks like the car is dressed in the typical Alpina Blue paint scheme, but if you look closely you can see that this example is actually a matte version of the color.––Paul Duchene
