BMW recently revealed the first-ever Alpina XB7, a 612 horsepower ultra-luxury SUV. This is the first time an Alpina-branded SUV is being offered in the United States and it the first time since 2018 that BMW will offer two Alpina models at the same time. While the Alpina B7 has remained a constant player in the US market, the outgoing BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe has yet to be replaced.
The firm is rumored to be working on its own version of the 8 Series Gran Coupe but until that arrives, the B7 and XB7 are your only choices for an Alpina-tuned BMW. Unless you are willing to go used. While you wait for an Alpina B8 Gran Coupe to arrive, the outgoing B6 Gran Coupe has become a used bargain.
Why You Should Buy One
Alpina acts as its own separate company in Bavaria, which develops high-performance versions of BMW models that can be bought directly from a BMW dealership. Unlike BMW's M division cars, Alpina models possess a unique approach to speed that doesn't sacrifice comfort. The B6 was based on the 6 Series Gran Coupe, which we always argued was the prettiest of the 6 Series models. Alpina's version is even prettier thanks to those beautiful 20-spoke wheels. Alpina models are also known to depreciate quicker than most BMW models and the B6 is no exception.
The Price
When it was new, the B6 Gran Coupe was priced at a whopping $123,195. Today, a less-than-perfect example can be purchased for less than $40,000. That means you can now purchase a used B6 for less than one-third of its original MSRP. Even more well-kept examples, some of which can still be purchased with a certified pre-owned warranty, can be found between $50,000 and $70,000.
The Performance
Like the BMW M6, the Alpina B6 was powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. But while the M6 made do with 560 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, Alpina's version produced 600 hp and 590 lb-ft. Rather than send this grunt out to a seven-speed dual-clutch, Alpina opted to use a smoother and simpler eight-speed automatic using xDrive all-wheel-drive. With the benefit of four driven wheels and more power, the B6 was quicker than the M6 with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds. It could even complete the quarter-mile in just 11.8 seconds.
The Interior
The BMW 6 Series had a rather simplistic interior at the time but it won't feel too outdated by today's standards. You still get BMW's advanced iDrive system and all of the surfaces are covered in either expensive leather or wood. This car also existed before BMW started putting digital gauge clusters in its cars, so you get Alpina's beautiful blue dials.
Practicality
The Gran Coupe was the most practical 6 Series available by way of its four doors. Headroom was more limited than a comparable 5 Series but space was ample for four adults. The 6 Series Gran Coupe did have a middle seat in the second row but good luck fitting back there if you have legs. Behind the second row, the trunk houses 16.2 cubic feet of space. Fuel economy isn't great but the B6 is more efficient than the M6 with ratings of 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
Verdict
The BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe has the distinction of being one of the prettiest modern BMW models. It is even one of the prettiest modern Alpina models, although we still prefer the company's Europe-only wagons. Used B6 prices are now a fraction of what they were new and time is running out to nab a trusty one with a CPO warranty. If you want one of the most unique BMW models available, we think the Alpina B6 is even better than an M car.