► Alpina’s 50th anniversary
► Edition 50 tops 200mph
► Looking back through 50 years
The 204mph saloon: Alpina Edition 50 (2015)
With 592bhp and 590lb ft, the B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 is the most powerful Alpina ever, hitting 62mph in 4.2sec and 204mph. It’s also an £87k BMW 5-series. A 6-series version is available, too.
The BMW beater: Alpina Roadster V8 (2002-2003)
Alpina’s great talent is combining performance with comfort. Take its take on the BMW Z8, which ditched the manual for an auto, used softer shocks and a torquier V8, creating an effortless cruiser.
The lightweight legend: BMW 3.0 CSL (1972-1973)
This BMW homologation special featured many Alpina components as standard – but that’s no surprise given Alpina not only helped develop the car but suggested the idea in the first place.
The acorn: BMW 1500 twin-carb conversion (1963)
It all began with Burkard Bovenseipen’s BMW 1500 twin-carb conversion – so good, BMW factory support swiftly followed. The family business name officially swapped from typewriters to cars in 1965.