BMW’s M Division typically takes their time to develop a new car based on the newest generation of whichever model was last to see a full production debut. This time around, the car enthusiast community is awaiting the 6th-generation M5.
It will be, of course, based upon the all-new G30 5 Series, and is rumoured to be the first M car to adopt an all-wheel drive system, though it should retain the 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 of outgoing version. We won’t have any more of a clearer picture to what the M Division’s newest spawn is, at least until the Geneva Motor Show next month.
By contrast, Alpina is already teasing their own take on a high-performance 5 Series, seemingly confirmed for a Geneva premiere, in a video that (annoyingly) sounds like it was scored by Hans Zimmer. Also based on the G30 5 Series and its more sophisticated CLAR architecture, the upcoming B5 Bi-Turbo should be near match for the next M5 in terms of sheer speed and dynamic talent, though like all Alpina’s isn’t quite as hardened as the M equivalents.
Judging from how the car in the video balances its drift and the way the front tyres kick up snow, we’re inclined to believe it’s based upon the all-wheel driven M550i xDrive.
The longtime BMW tuner has also recently unveiled their car ahead of BMW M. For example, their 3 Series-based B3 bi-turbo dropped a good amount sooner than the M3, and it was the same story for the B4 bi-turbo with the M4 Coupe.
We don’t get much information to accompany the mostly sideways footage of the next B5 undergoing winter testing here, but given the extra power extractable from the revised V8 and the lighter overall weight of the new 5 Series platform, it would be safe to assume some marked gains in performance over the F10-based product.
Alpina is also expected to debut the wagon version of the all-new B5 called the Touring, based of course off of the recently unveiled 5 Series Touring, giving fast wagon lovers a tougher choice between the Mercedes-AMG E 63 Estate and Audi RS 6 Avant.
BMW’s last lob at those rivals was the E60 M5 Touring, though it ha skipped the body style for the F10 generation M5 which came only as a four-door sedan. Should they repeat the pattern this time too, the Munich side of the ring will have to be filled by the Alpina.
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