5 — BMW Alpina B8 ($159,900)
For my fifth ride, I was in the mood for something different, especially since after lunch, the idea of an aggressive road session was less appealing. So I decided on the Alpina B8, the version that offers the ultimate in BMW performance. And with the 8, which sits at the top of the hierarchy, it's the ultimate.
Alpina's changes to the B8's exterior for 2022 are subtle. The sedan gets larger air intakes up front, a black diffuser at the rear and a small spoiler grafted to the trunk, along with an Alpina logo. The wheels and tires are specific and feature a 20-spoke design, all on a 21-inch wheel that is shod with custom Pirelli tires tuned specifically for this Alpina.
Under the hood, Alpina has reworked the twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 engine, increasing power to 612 hp, placing the model between the M8 (600) and the M8 Competition (617) on the brand’s munitions chart. On board, comfort is improved with a few nicer surfaces and a touch of crystal, but it's nothing earth-shattering compared to the other versions of the 8 Series.
Behind the wheel, what's most impressive is the balance offered by this monster. As much as the comfort is divine, the model's chassis acts mighty devilishly when you push the machine. From such a big beast, it's quite fascinating. The Apina B8 has a limited run, and considering its higher price, it's a model you really need to want. It's really for the person who wants an 8 Series, but can't find a compromise between a base version, an M8 or a Gran Coupe variant.
