As next moves go, this was not hard to predict. Hot on the heels of the spectacularly well received D3 Biturbo diesel saloon and estate, Alpina has now turned its attention to petrol-powered coupé and convertible versions of BMW’s 3 and 4 Series platform and this, the B4, is the result.
It costs almost exactly the same as an M4, produces almost as much power from a same capacity twin-turbo 3-litre BMW motor, and has a kerb weight within a couple of bags of sugar of an M4 (when also fitted with a paddle-shift transmission).
It also has a 0-62mph within a tenth of a second of an M4’s, you'd be forgiven for wondering if the biggest difference between them is the letter that starts their names. But as with all things Alpina, the devil remains in the detail.
With its usual spectacular thoroughness, Alpina’s 50 development engineers (a statistically negligible number to any normal manufacturer) have taken a 440i donor car and gone through its engine, gearbox, cooling system, wheels, tyres, aerodynamics, steering and suspension.
For a company making just 1500 cars a year, this is an extraordinary commitment.
Power from the N55 motor rises from 315bhp to 404bhp, and while this is not quite so strong as the twin-turbo 431bhp S55 motor in the M4, its 442lb ft of torque is more than commensurately stronger than the 405lb ft offered by the M4.
