The B10 V8 is one of the most successful cars in Alpina´s history, with over 1300 cars sold since it´s launch in march 1997. But the last years a lot of powerful sport-saloons has entered the market and 347 bhp simply wasn´t enough. So for the last model-year of the E39, which still is one of the best cars in it´s class, Alpina introduced the B10 V8S at the Geneva autoshow. You may remember the ´S´-designation from classics such as the B7S Turbo, which was a limited edition. The B10 V8S will not be as rare as it´s older brother but it will still be a very rare car. For example Japan, which is a big market for Alpina, is limited to only 88 cars. Read on for more detailed information of what makes the B10 V8S one of the most desirable sport-saloons on the market.

The V8S uses a stroked version of the B10 V8´s engine. The bore is exaclty the same at 93 mm but the new crankshaft has increased the stroke from 85 mm to 89 mm which increases the displacement 4837 cm3. Other changes include a reworked and improved intake-system and new piston-rings. These changes makes the B10 V8S the most powerful Alpina 5-series ever produced. At 5800 rpm it develops 375 bhp and has 510 NM of torque at 3800 rpm. The gearbox is the same 5-speed automatic with Switch-Tronic that the standard B10 has.

Suspension/Brakes/Wheels

The suspension has a stiffer set-up than the standard B10 has, but not by much. Alpina have designed it to work with the beautiful 19" wheels the B10 V8S is eqiupped with. The front wheels are 8,5" wide and has 245/35 tires while the rears are 9,5" wide and has 275/30 tires. But if you like the 18" wheels better they are available as a no-cost option. Behind the front wheels the much improved brakes can be found. They have been developed in collaboration with Brembo and have the dimension 360/34 mm. The discs are drilled and the 4-piston calipers, which are made of aluminium, is finished in blue with a silver Alpina logo.

Interior/Exterior

As most Alpina´s, the B10 V8S is very subtle. The exterior changes include a front-spoiler, which is the same that the B10 V8 has, a new rear-spoiler, the 19" wheels and the exhaust-pipes. Inside, it has the classic Alpina-designed anthracite cloth, a hand-stitched steering-wheel in Alpina-design, blue instruments with red needles, Alpina door-sills and velour floor mats and a Rüster Maser wood-interior. The stripes are a no-cost option and are available in silver or gold and of course it has a silver-plated production plaque. If money is no object there are some interesting options I would recommend. For example Alpina´s blue or green colour, the very nice velour-mat for the luggage-compartment in Alpina design, the B10 V8S-sign on the B-pillar and the Lavalina leather interior.

Performance

Alpina claims:

Saloon: 0-100 km/h in 5,4 seconds, 0-1000 metres in 24,7 seconds and a top speed of 284 km/h.
Touring: 0-100 km/h in 5,6 seconds, 0-1000 metres in 25,0 seconds and a top speed of 273 km/h.