Alpina’s has introduced its new D5 S All-Wheel-Drive. The German vehicle manufacturer’s high-performance diesel takes much of the bespoke engineering developed for the B5 Bi-Turbo to deliver 330ps from 4000rpm and 700Nm of torque from 1750rpm.
To help achieve this level of performance, Alpina’s 70-strong engineering team received access to BMW design data and technical facilities.
“Alpina’s are subtle cars for knowledgeable enthusiasts who value the tremendous depth and breadth of talent that can only be achieved by total attention to detail,” said Alpina GB’s Jonathan Noy. “By offering a very small number of technical specifications, every calibration and interaction can be optimized, from suspension geometry to engine breathing.”
The heart of the D5 S is a heavily revised version of BMW’s diesel straight six. Alpina’s powertrain specialists have replaced the standard single TwinPower turbocharger with two small, variable geometry turbochargers to provide a significantly faster response.
These are fed from larger intake ducts with optimized radii, allowing the engine to breathe more freely by reducing induction air pressure losses by up to 30% compared with the standard system. A 20% larger intercooler with flow-optimized aluminum ducting increases the density of the fuel/air mixture to further increase engine output.
The eight-speed transmission has been developed in partnership with ZF to provide a fast shift speed while ensuring durability. Around 20% of the system is bespoke.
In Manual mode, the driver can take complete control of the transmission using the unique Alpina Switch-Tronic buttons on the back of the steering wheel for intuitive fingertip control. The driveshafts and differential are also reinforced.
