1) Alpina B7 Turbo (1984)
Classy E24 635CSi-based coupe action, the B7 Turbo had 326bhp and managed 0 to 100kph in 6.1sec. Though you want an ’84 to ’86 one, because the introduction of compulsory catalytic converters in late ’86 dropped the power by 10hp.
2) Alpina B10 BiTurbo (1989)
Faster than a Ferrari Testarossa was the legend—but carried more people. It’s an E34 535i with a pair of Garrett turbos, taking the standard car from 208bhp to 355bhp. Now that’s an upgrade.
ALSO READ:
The Unimog is turning 80, so we drive its apocalypse-proof birthday present to itself
The Dreadnought is a military-grade, V12-powered combat truck by Aston Martin
3) BMW 2002 tii (1973)
Alpina’s modded 2002 tii featured engine tweaks, spotlights, an interior retrim and even Alpina graphics. Sort of a road/rally mashup, we’ll take one in contemporary ‘Inka’ orange—paint code ‘022’ fact fans.
4) Alpina C1 2.3 (1980)
There were Alpina 3 Series’ before this, but it’s the C1 2.3 that stands out. A paltry 168bhp sounds a bit light, but in a car that weighed just 1,100kg and had upgraded suspension in the early ’80s, it ruled.
5) Alpina B6 3.5 S (1987)
You’ll want the later 3.5 for the E30. A straight six again, the biggest motor in the 3-Series at the time was the 325i, and the Alpina had a 251bhp max—enough to cover off a contemporary M3 (even if it did share the suspension and aero stuff).
6) Alpina B6 GT3 (2009)
Okay, so it’s a racecar, but the B6 GT3 (supercharged 4.4-liter V8 from the B6 S with 523bhp), walloped the 2009 season. In 2011, it won the ADAC GT Masters championship. Some 99 B3 GT3 (E92 3-Series-based) were produced as a celebration.
7) BMW 3.0 CS (1968)
Probably one of the most elegant cars ever produced, the 3.0 CS could be converted into a super-slinky road car by Alpina. At this point, the CS was still badged as a BMW rather than an Alpina—but everyone knew the score.
8) Alpina B9 3.5 (1981)
Naturally aspirated and the best of BMW’s 5 Series shapes, the B9 3.5 had a 3.5-liter straight-six featuring upgraded cams, Mahle pistons and Motronic engine management. Not devastating, it still saw off 0 to 100kph in 6.7sec and had 241bhp.
9) Alpina B12 5.7 (1992)
It’s an 850CSi V12 but bored to 5.7 liters and cammed to produce 410bhp from about 375—enough to liven up what was a slightly stodgy Grand Tourer. Came as a manual, or with Alpina’s ‘Switch-Tronic’ wheel-mounted shift buttons.
10) Alpina D5 S (2017)
But you want the left-hooker. Mainly because the LHD configuration allowed for three turbos on the 3.0-liter straight six diesel (RHD cars only got two, and less grunt), meaning 383bhp, 800Nm, 0 to 100kph in 4.4sec and a 286kph Vmax.
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
