View source for Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{short description|High performance executive car}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo
| image = Alpina B10 BiTurbo BASIS BMW 5er Gen3 E34 1989-1994 frontleft 2011-06-04 U.jpg
| type =
| manufacturer = [[Alpina]]
| aka =
| production = 1989&ndash;1994 (507 built)
| assembly = Germany: [[Buchloe]]
| designer =
| class = [[Executive car]] ([[E-segment|E]])
| body_style = 4-door [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]]
| platform = [[BMW E34]]
| related =
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| engine = 3.4&nbsp;L [[twin-turbocharged]] [[BMW M30|''BMW M30'' I6]]
| transmission = 5-speed ''[[Getrag|Getrag 290]]'' [[manual transmission|manual]]
| propulsion =
| wheelbase = {{convert|2761|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4720|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1751|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1400|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|1695|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| sp = us
| predecessor =
| successor = Alpina B10 4.0 (E34)
}}
The '''Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo''' is a high performance version of the [[BMW E34|BMW 5 Series E34]] executive car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer [[Alpina]]. Beginning production in 1989, the B10 Bi-Turbo was based on the [[BMW 5 Series (E34)|535i]] and received several upgrades by Alpina, being the fastest production sedan in the world at the time of its introduction. Production ended in 1994 with 507 examples produced.
Developed at a cost of US$3.2 million, the B10 Bi-Turbo was introduced at the [[Geneva Motor Show#1989|Geneva Motor Show]] in March 1989.
== Specifications ==
To build each B10 Bi-Turbo powerplant, Alpina dismantled a [[BMW M30]] engine, replaced the stock pistons with forged [[Mahle GmbH|Mahle]] units, installed two [[Garrett Turbine Engine Company|Garrett]] T25 water-cooled turbochargers, and added a Bosch variable boost control with range of 0.4&ndash;0.8 bar, adjustable from the driver's seat. Additional modifications helped raise the horsepower of the standard M30 engine from {{cvt|155|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} at 5,700 rpm and {{cvt|305|Nm|lbft|0|abbr=on}} at 3,000 rpm to {{cvt|265|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} at 6,000 rpm and {{cvt|520|Nm|lbft|0|abbr=on}} at 4,000 rpm. A [[Getrag]] 290 5-speed manual transmission was specified to handle the power.
Modifications to the suspension included Alpina-specific springs and anti-roll bars. [[Bilstein Shock Absorbers|Bilstein]] shock absorbers were used at the front and automatic-load levelling units by Fichtel & Sachs were used at the rear. Front brake rotors were large {{cvt|13.1|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} discs from UK-based Lucas Girling, bigger even than the {{cvt|12.1|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} pieces found on the [[BMW M5|E34 M5]]. [[Michelin]] MXX tyres were standard as was BMW's [[Automatic Stability Control]] (ASC).<ref>{{cite journal|last=Palevsky|first=Alexander|title=Blown Away|journal=Bimmer Magazine|issue=October 2007|pages=61–64}}</ref>
== Performance ==
Alpina claimed a 0–100&nbsp;km/h (62&nbsp;mph) acceleration time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of over 290&nbsp;km/h (180.2 mph),<ref>[http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en/models-alpina/historic-models/bmw-5-series/e34.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192244/http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en/models-alpina/historic-models/bmw-5-series/e34.html |date=29 October 2013 }} Alpina company website</ref> putting it in the same league as a five years older car model [[Ferrari Testarossa]] in terms of performance. In the September 1991 issue of ''[[Road & Track]],'' [[Paul Frère]] wrote: "For me this is the car … I think this is the best 4-door in the world."<ref>[[Paul Frère]], « Alpina B10 Biturbo », ''[[Road & Track]]'', #3, March 1991 (B10 BiTurbo review).</ref>  Despite a base price tag of 146,800 DM, nearly twice the price of an E34 M5, the B10 Bi-Turbo became the best-selling single model in Alpina history up until that point. The six year production run began in 1989 and ended in August 1994. Production ended due to the discontinuation of the M30 engine by BMW in 1993. The final 50 M30 engine blocks were shipped to Alpina for use in the final 50 cars.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Palevsky|first=Alexander|title=Blown Away|journal=Bimmer Magazine|issue=October 2007|page=62}}</ref>
=== Independent performance test results ===
* 0–{{convert|100|km/h|abbr=on|1}}: 5.2 seconds<ref name ="spa11990">[[sport auto|Sport Auto]] 1/1990 4-11</ref>
* 0–{{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on|1}}: 19.7 seconds<ref name ="AMS241989">[[Auto, Motor und Sport]] 24/1989 12-18</ref>
* 0–400 m: 13.2 seconds<ref name ="spa11990"/>
* 0–1,000 m: 24.6 seconds<ref name ="spa11990"/>
* 0–{{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}: 5.1 seconds<ref name="RTSep91"/>
* 0–{{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}}: 11.6 seconds<ref name="RTSep91"/>
* Standing {{frac|1|4}} mile (402m): 13.6 seconds at {{convert|107.0|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="RTSep91"/>
* Top speed: {{convert|179.2|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="RTSep91">[[Road & Track]] September 1991</ref>
== Technical data ==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|- style="background:#cccccc;"
|Model
|Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo
|-
|Cylinder/Valves
|6/12
|-
|Bore × Stroke
|92,0 × 86,0&nbsp;mm
|-
|Displacement
|3,430&nbsp;cm³
|-
|Compression
|colspan="2" |7.2:1
|-
|Max. Power
|265&nbsp;kW [257&nbsp;kW] (360 PS [350 PS]) at 6,000 rpm
|-
|Max. Torque
|520 Nm [501 Nm] at 4,000 rpm
|-
|Top Speed
|291&nbsp;km/h (180&nbsp;mph)
|-
|Acceleration 0–100&nbsp;km/h
|5.6 seconds [5.9 seconds]
|-
|Acceleration 0–160&nbsp;km/h
|12.3 seconds
|-
|Acceleration 0–200&nbsp;km/h
|19.7 seconds
|-
|Acceleration 60–100&nbsp;km/h in 4th gear
|7.1 seconds
|-
|Acceleration 80–120&nbsp;km/h in 5th gear
|9.2 seconds
|-
|1000 m, Standing Start
|24.6 seconds
|-
|Fuel Consumption in l/100&nbsp;km combined
|12.4 liters
|}
[Figures in brackets refer to Swiss market vehicles]
== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
Image:Alpina B10 BiTurbo BASIS BMW 5er Gen3 E34 1989-1994 backleft 2011-06-04 U.jpg|Rear view
Image:Alpina-B10-BiTurbo-Seitenansicht.jpg|
Image:Alpina rim.jpg|Alpina wheel
Image:Alpina Deco stripe.jpg|Alpina pinstripes
</gallery>
== Bibliography ==
* {{in lang|de}} Götz Leyrer, « Fünfer Potenz », ''[[Auto, Motor und Sport]]'', #24, 17 November 1989 (B10 Bi-Turbo, [[BMW M5 (E34)|BMW M5]] and [[AC Schnitzer]] S5 3.7 comparison).
* {{in lang|de}} HB, « Die B-Handlung », ''[[Sport Auto (magazine allemand)|Sport Auto]]'', #5, May 1990 (Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo, B6 3.5S and B12 5.0 comparison).
* {{in lang|de}} Götz Leyrer, « Duell in der Wonne », ''[[Auto, Motor und Sport]]'', #13, 1990 (B10 Bi-Turbo and [[Ferrari 348|Ferrari 348 TB]] comparison).
* {{in lang|fr}} « Croisière à 300 à l'heure », ''[[Auto Hebdo (France)|Auto Hebdo]]'', #749, 17 October 1990. (B10 Bi-Turbo and [[Ruf CTR]] comparison).
* {{in lang|es}} ''[[Auto Hebdo Sport]]'', #391, November 1990. (B10 Bi-Turbo and [[Ruf CTR]] comparison).
* {{in lang|en}} Kevin Blick, « Vintage Alpina », ''[[Performance Car]]'', November 1990. (B10 Bi-Turbo review).
* {{in lang|de}} « Der Sinn des Strebens », ''[[Auto, Motor und Sport]]'', #3, 1991 (B10 Bi-Turbo, [[BMW M5 (E34)|BMW M5]], [[Lotus Carlton|Opel Lotus Omega]] and [[Mercedes-Benz W124|Mercedes-Benz 500E]] comparison).
* {{in lang|en}} « World's fastest cars », ''[[Road & Track]]'', #9, September 1991 (sports car comparison: [[Lamborghini]], [[Ferrari]], [[Chevrolet Corvette##Fourth generation-C4 .281984.E2.80.931996.29|Corvette ZR4]], [[Ruf Automobile|Ruf]]…).
* {{in lang|fr}} « 360CV dans une berline au sommet », ''BMWorld'', #4 (B10 Bi-Turbo review).
* {{in lang|en}} « Saloonacy », ''Classic & Sports car'', #1, 2004 (B10 Bi-Turbo and [[Lotus Carlton|Opel Lotus Omega]] comparison).
* {{in lang|fr}} Maxime Joly, [http://www.automobile-sportive.com/guide/alpina/b10biturbo.php Alpina B10 Biturbo e34 (1989 - 1994) : Autoroute racer], ''automobile-sportive.com'', 27 February 2010 (retrieved 9 March 2014).
* {{in lang|de}} Alexander Bernt, [http://www.autobild.de/artikel/alpina-b5-b10-vergleich-1760734.html Alpinas Turbo-Tiere], ''[[Auto Bild]]'', 9 June 2011 (Retrieved 7 December 2014)
* {{cite web|title = Iron fist in a velvet glove: Alpinas were always posh hot rods|url = http://driving.ca/bmw/auto-news/news/an-iron-fist-in-a-velvet-glove-alpina-b10|date = 28 November 2014|access-date = 6 December 2014|author = McAleer, Brendan}}.
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo}}{{Alpina}}
[[Category:Alpina vehicles|B10 (Bi-Turbo)]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports sedans]]
[[Category:1990s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1989]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1994]]