The Alpina B6 (F12) is the third generation of the high performance grand tourer manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina. Introduced at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the B6 was based on the BMW 6 Series and was available in coupé and convertible body styles, with the latter being introduced at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.[1] A third saloon bodystyle called the gran coupé was introduced in 2014. The Alpina B6 gran coupé was replaced by the Alpina B8 gran coupe (G16) in 2021. [2]
Development and introduction
The B6 is based on the 650i and uses a modified version of its N63 twin-turbocharged V8 engine designated the M2/1. The engine was modified by the addition of new turbochargers with modified exhaust turbines, a BOSCH MEVD 17.2.H ECU, new MAHLE pistons and a larger intercooler. These modifications allowed the engine to generate 540 PS and 516 lbft of torque (the B6 convertible's engine generated a total of 507 PS). The engine is mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission with optional limited slip differential and a manual shifting mode called the Sport Shift mode which allows the driver to change gears via buttons located on the back of the steering wheel.