2019 Alpina B5 Touring headed to Australia

Alpina is filling the admittedly small demand for fast BMW wagons with the announcement it will bring the Alpina B5 Touring to Australia.

Based on the BMW 5 Series Touring, and with specs to rival the full-fat BMW M5, the B5 Touring aims to provide performance for those who want something a little different.

With 447kW and 800Nm from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, the B5 Touring can hit 100km/h from standstill in a claimed 3.7 seconds –staggeringly close to a time the 2018 BMW M5 Competition ran when tested by MOTOR.

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Once it gets going, it continues relentlessly with a 0-200km/h time of just 12.3 seconds, before it eventually tops out as 322km/h. These are impressive numbers given it weighs more than 2.1 tonnes.

Alpina doesn’t say whether the B5 Touring’s xDrive-based all-wheel drive system was designed to mimic the newest M5’s rear-happy torque distribution, but it does say that Alpina developed a specific tune for the wagons to favour “maximum traction, neutral driving dynamics and high levels of safety.”

The B5 Touring does however have active rear-wheel steering, which helps sharpen or balance the steering as needed. Alpina says this, plus lightweight forged aluminium wheels give the B5 the “agility and handling of a much smaller car.”

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Inside, leather and aluminium present a relatively luxurious cabin for a modern car, though woodgrain can be optioned to convey the old-world aesthetic Alpina is known for.

Alpina Australia says the B5 Touring will cost buyers a base price of $217,000 after GST and LCT, a $7000 premium over the sedan.

Those interested can contact Alpina Australia to order immediately.