ALPINA Roadster V8 Review by BMW Blog

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Is the Alpina Roadster V8 a supercar or a roadster? This is the main question that BMW Blog tried to address during their short drive and review of the Alpina Roadster V8 provided by BMW of North America from their Zentrum Museum in Spartanburg. Here is an excerpt from their review and some photos:

Instead of the original six-speed manual and 4.9 L (S62) engine featured in earlier Z8’s, the ALPINA came only as an automatic, using a five-speed BMW Steptronic transmission coupled to a downgraded 4.8 liter ALPINA-tuned V8 motor from the original X5.

Power was reduced to 375 horsepower while peak torque was raised to 383 lb-ft (519 Nm). Its power peak comes at 5800 rpm, vs. 6600; its torque peak occurs at the same 3800 rpm.

The electronically limited top speed was officially raised to 161 mph (259 km/h).

To market the car towards a Tourer or a comfortable Roadster, ALPINA also tuned the suspension, offering a more relaxed setting, a “feature” that became evident in our short drive around Pebble Beach and its curvy roads. The Roadster V8 offered more bodyroll that one would expect from a vehicle of this size and construction, and the ride was softer that we have seen in other roadsters.

Cornering through the hills of the Carmel Valley was a bit more challenging than we expected, rear tires were skidding and understeering occurred quite often.

The car compensates though with its agility coming from more than sufficient 375 ponnies and its quick-shifting Steptronic transmission tuned by ALPINA, even though we would have preferred to see the six-speed manual in this car.

Overall, the ALPINA Roadster V8 remains a highly appreciated collectors car, and for those that can afford a second or third classic, weekend car, the Roadster can be the perfect choice, just not at the original $137,595 price.

Source: BMW Blog