Performance Review: BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Alpina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular BMW Alpina has a 4398cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Alpina shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Alpina's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1950 kgs (4299 lbs) this makes the BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Alpina shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 4398cc 32V V8 engine produces 500 bhp (372 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 516 lb-ft (699.6 Nm) @ 4250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW Alpina you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake PP (281.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Alpina.

The BMW Alpina has a Power to weight ratio of 256.4 bhp per ton and 264.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Alpina competing with the 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake PP (281.3 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder 3.8 981 (281.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW Alpina generating around 264.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Caterham 7 Superlight R400 (289.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (289.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs). This BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Alpina and the 1998 Jaguar XK R Coupe 4.0 V8 Supercharged

When talking about the performance of the BMW Alpina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.07 secs @ 104.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Jaguar XK R Coupe 4.0 V8 Supercharged (13.02 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (13.02 secs), and the 1988 Maserati 430 2.8 V6 (13.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Alpina equals the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 then how about the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph), the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (197 mph), or the 2012 Audi R8 Plus S-Tronic 5.2 V10 (197 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Alpina Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison