BMW Alpina for Oz

BMW will announce the availability of a range of Alpina-tuned models, headlined by the B4 Biturbo Coupe, for the first time in Australia around the end of this month.

Based on the 435i Coupe -- which becomes the 440i Coupe as part of an upgraded BMW 4 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible line-up to be launched next week -- the B4 Biturbo will be joined by convertible and 3 Series-based B3 Biturbo sedan and wagon models by the end of this year.

BMW Australia will not comment on its local Alpina plan, which we first reported last September, but is expected to announce pricing for the B4 Biturbo by July 1.

An Alpina executive told motoring.com.au at the Geneva motor show in March that the German tuning company will not only export the B4 Biturbo Coupe -- so far the only Alpina model to receive Australian Design Rule certification – but also the 5 Series-based B5 and 7 Series-based B7 this year.

Australian imports of a range of Alpina-tuned BMW models were initiated by a prominent Melbourne BMW dealer, before BMW Australia assumed control of the local Alpina rollout. Alpina retailers are likely to be limited to one or two outlets per state.

In the absence of right-hand drive M diesel passenger models from BMW, Alpina's range of high-performance diesel vehicles including the D3, D4 and D5 Biturbo models -- based on the 3, 4 and 5 Series – has developed a strong following in the UK. However, it's unknown whether oil-burning Aplinas will be sold here.

For now, the B4 Biturbo Coupe will be positioned between the upgraded 240kW/450Nm 440i Coupe ($99,900 plus ORCs) and the 317kW/550Nm M4 Coupe ($149,900).

Powered by a 301kW/600Nm version of the 440's 3.0-litre inline turbo-six and fitted as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the B4 biturbo is claimed to hit 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds – eight-tenths sooner than the 440i Coupe and just a tenth later than the M4.

Apart from the enhanced engine, other B4 Biturbo additions include a reworked chassis with revised springs, dampers, steering and 20-inch wheels, an Alpina sports bodykit with pin-striped shoulder line and an upgraded interior featuring Alpina's trademark green and blue colours.

Alpina has a long-established association with BMW, in much the same way that Brabus operates with Mercedes-Benz. BMW part-builds the Alpina models on its own production line before handing the cars over to Alpina for completion.

The company released its new B5 sedan and wagon last November, powered by a 441kW/801Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that allows it to hit 100km/h in 4.2sec and a 328km/h top speed, despite – like the B4 -- employing an eight-speed auto instead of the M5’s dual-clutch unit.

Alpina’s newest model, the B7, was launched at the Geneva show and gains the same 441kW/801Nm outputs as the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 in the B5, but makes well over 80 per cent of its maximum torque from just 2000rpm thanks to new twin-scroll turbochargers with 20psi of boost pressure.

In all-wheel drive form, the B7 xDrive is one of the fastest production sedans available, with Alpina claiming it can reach 60mph (97km/h) in just 3.6sec and exceed 330km/h.