With solely 5,703 models produced, the BMW Z8 is a sought-after youngtimer. Those that personal one of many 555 BMW Alpina V8s can take into account themselves fortunate. Collectors are prepared to pay a number of hundred thousand euros for the Buchloe model of the roadster. We took this automotive gem for a spin in Tuscany.
From Buchloe to the USA. It sounds a bit odd at first. What might a small Bavarian city supply that will be of curiosity throughout the Atlantic? Anybody aware of the vehicles from Munich is aware of the reply: BMW autos refined by the native tuner, Alpina. Up to now, so good, however in the case of the BMW Z8, issues get much more attention-grabbing. The initially underrated roadster is already a rarity, and as an Alpina? Solely 555 models had been constructed, supposed for the North American market below the title BMW Alpina Roadster V8. Anybody who manages to accumulate one at the moment should be able to pay a number of hundred thousand euros. Greater than for a BMW Z8.
As is usually the case in life: there are exceptions to the rule. Alpina was allowed to provide 105 autos for the EU market. The casual method on the time is obvious from the truth that the BMW chassis quantity supposed for the US fashions was merely crossed out and changed with Alpina’s personal VIN. Roadster and USA imply California. The Alpina strategists knew that they wanted to distinguish from the BMW authentic and emphasize the cruiser character.
Technically, this implies a V8 engine (code Alpina F5) with 4,837 as a substitute of BMW’s 4,941 cubic centimetres of displacement, barely much less energy at 280 kW / 381 PS as a substitute of 294 kW / 400 PS, however with 520 Newton meters of torque, 20 Nm extra. The entire setup is mixed with a five-speed computerized as a substitute of a six-speed handbook gearbox. The thought is evident from these numbers. Extra cruiser than sports activities automobile. Nonetheless, within the Alpina V8, you’ll be able to manually choose particular person gears with a plus and minus button on the steering wheel. So, the Alpina has sufficient firepower. The efficiency figures are nonetheless spectacular. From a standstill, the Alpina reaches the 100 km/h mark in 5.3 seconds, six-tenths of a second later than the BMW, however with a high pace of 260 km/h, it’s ten km/h sooner.
So, it’s California Dreamin’ as a substitute of Bavarian Alpine passes and repeated full-throttle assaults. The comfortably tuned suspension suits this as effectively. This doesn’t imply the Alpina V8 is a gentle American automobile. Fairly the other: you’ll be able to let the roadster actually fly. Our mannequin is provided with the Efficiency Bundle, as seen within the strut bar working throughout the engine bay. The rationale for this retrofit is the aluminium area body of the good-looking Munich roadster, which saves weight however proved too “gentle” when driving over potholes or curbs, particularly when fitted with run-flat tyres which have stiffer sidewalls and don’t soak up kinetic vitality in addition to standard tyres. Due to this fact, the entrance finish needed to be stiffened, which additionally advantages agility. So, the American Z8 handles fairly swiftly even within the picturesque Tuscan panorama. We let it fly and benefit from the smoky sound of the eight cylinders below the hood.
We benefit from the drive alongside winding roads, by sleepy little villages the place individuals sit on small chairs within the shade watching the visitors move by, or in one of many many road cafes having fun with an espresso. As we speak, the freeway 101 leads us by northern Italy, the place cypress timber line the highway as a substitute of Pacific waves. The technique of the Buchloe-based tuner pays off. The Alpina V8 isn’t any much less enjoyable than its Munich brother with the Z in its title. Quite the opposite: the extra comfortably tuned suspension proves to be a sensible choice on northern Italian roads.
Within the cockpit, the Buchloe-based Alpina doesn’t disguise its genes. The automobile is a spectacle. Even the devices offset to the appropriate and the onerous plastic extravaganza of the dashboard are a part of the Alpina V8 expertise. It’s not precisely luxurious, however you’ll be able to overlook that in a car like this. There may be one small element within the cockpit price noting: the place BMW leaves nothing behind the steering wheel, Alpina has put in a small hood that reveals the automated settings. From the surface, the roadster nonetheless fascinates, even 24 or 22 years (the Alpina V8 debuted in 2002) after its launch, as evidenced by the smiling faces of fashion-conscious Italians on their scooters swarming across the two-seater like moths to a flame.
