2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe Revealed

Alpina is known by many BMW fans as a tuner that focuses on improving drivability with their modifications, not outright performance. In Europe, the tuner has a wide range of models in gas and diesel form but in the U.S., Alpina is a bit of a niche. The only model Alpina sells through BMW is the B7, which is a modified 7-Series. That will be changing shortly as the tuner has announced a new member for its U.S. lineup: meet the Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe. As the name suggests, the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe is based on the 6-Series Gran Coupe.

The list of modifications for the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe is very extensive. It begins with a number of changes to the exterior which include front splitter and apron, a rear spoiler, twenty-inch wheels with twenty-one spokes, and a number of Alpina badges. Heading inside, the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe features special leather on the steering wheel, unique trim materials, and Alpina's logo throughout.

Pop the hood and you'll find a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine producing 540 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque. To put that into perspective, the M6 Gran Coupe has about 20 more horsepower, but is down 38 pound-feet. The 4.4 is paired with an eight-speed automatic and BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. Performance figures for the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe are 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph. To bring all of this power to a halt, the special model has also been fitted with larger brakes.

The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will make its debut in the U.S. next month at the New York Auto Show. Pricing will start at $118,225 (includes destination) and it goes on sale in April 2014.