Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo Touring is a 5-Series Estate

Catering to the needs of those looking for an über fast premium station wagon, longtime BMW tuning house Alpina has developed the B5 Bi-Turbo Touring based on the station wagon version of the latest 5-Series. With 507HP and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) under the hood and up to 1,670 liters of storage space, Alpina's creations is a party animal at the front while keeping it...professional at the back.

The Alpina-prepped bi-turboocharged V8 engine accelerates the Touring from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 4.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 303km/h (188mph). A performance braking system with 375mm discs up front and 345mm at the back ensures that the Touring will come to a halt. Power is transferred to the rear-wheels through a modified version of BMW's 8-speed Sport automatic transmission.
A lowered suspension with sports springs and new 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels wrapped around in Michelin Pilot Super Sports tires size measuring 255/35 ZR20 at the front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear complete the performance upgrades.
As for the styling updates, the Touring benefits from a discrete aero package with a front apron, roof spoiler and a rear diffuser, while interior mods include a bespoke leather treatment for the sports seats and steering wheel, along with blue ALPINA gauges and unique decorative trims.

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AC Schnitzer 99d is a $205,500 BMW Z4

BMW's decision to create the new 'i' sub-brand for the growing number of eco-conscious buyers has apparently rubbed off its partners like AC Schnitzer, as the German tuning firm will be launching a production ready concept based on the Z4 hardtop-roadster at next week's Geneva motor show.
Developed as an eco-friendly sports car that adapts to AC Schnitzer's new motto "Efficient Performance", the 99d gets its name from its CO2 emission levels and the diesel powerplant housed under its hood.
More specifically, the tuning house fitted the Z4 with the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamic's 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. After some performance upgrades, the four-pot's output was lifted from 163HP and 380Nm, to 190HP and 420Nm.

AC Schnitzer says the 99d can go from naught to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 235km/h (146mph), while returning an impressive fuel consumption of 3.8lt/100km (61.9 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of just 99.18 g/km.
To achieve these striking numbers, the German tuner also reduced the roadster's weight by 230kg (507 pounds).
"With the AC Schnitzer 99d, we've succeeded in building the previously inconceivable: an up-rated performance vehicle whose CO2 emissions have been reduced to 99 g/km and which, despite its sustainability, offers pure driving pleasure. That's Efficient Performance by AC Schnitzer," the company said in a brief statement.
According to the tuner, the price of the 99d is €149,000 or about US$205,500 at today’s exchange rates, but that's about all the details AC Schnitzer is willing to release before unveiling the car at the Geneva Salon.


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New Aston Martin Virage Coup

Aston Martin has decided to further complicate its range with the presentation of yet another pair of cars that are virtually indistinguishable from the brand's other models (insert Cygnet joke here) - at least for the untrained eye. This time, Aston Martin has resurrected the Virage name for a new coupe and cabriolet that sit between the DBS and DB9. According to the company, the Virage "capitalises on the technology from the DBS and unites it with the comfort and refinement found in the DB9 and Rapide".



The Virage Coupe and the soft-top Volante are both powered by the company's familiar 6.0-liter V12 engine. Given that the same poweplant produces 477HP and 443 lb-ft in the DB9 and 517HP and 420 lb-ft in the DBS, it's only natural that the Virage's V12 would fit in between in terms of output delivering 497HP and 420 lb-ft of peak torque.
The V12 is matched to a six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission mounted on the transaxle.
Aston Martin says the 0-100 km/h (62mph) sprint comes in 4.6 seconds while the Virage can continue up to a top speed of 299 km/h (188 mph). In comparison, the numbers for the 477HP DB9 are 4.8" and 306 km/h (190 mph), and for the 510HP DBS, 4.3" and 307 km/h (191mph), respectively.
The Virage features a new Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with a specific tune, as well as a Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system with bespoke settings, and standard Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes.
On the outside, the Virage sports a new aluminium metal front grille with five horizontal vanes that's inspired by the One-77, along with a redesigned front bumper, a fresh interpretation of Aston's side strake with six LEDs on the front wings, different side sills and a re-profiled rear bumper.
Inside, the two Virage models come with a full leather interior complete with colored piping and several standard features such as cruise control, satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephone preparation and a 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby Pro Logic II and full iPod integration
In coupe form, the Virage will be available as a 2+2 or a strictly two seater as an option, the latter providing a rear parcel shelf, while also reducing weight.
The Virage will receive its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next week and go on sale shortly after.
 
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Bertone B99 asks, "Can't we Forget About the X-Type?"

Bertone and Jaguar have joined forces again, and the result is this lovely little concept called the B99. Celebrating 99 years of existence, Bertone's B99 is meant to showcase what a Jaguar 3-Series could look like (and thankfully there's no silly black C-pillar as found on the XJ). While some may disagree with this design's placement in the lineup, one thing is certain: an X-Type this ain't.

The B99 measures 4.5 meters long, 1.35 m tall, and 1.95 m wide with a 2.8 m wheelbase. As befits all Jaguars, there's a leaper on the hood; this time, though, it uses some snazzy pedestrian safety sensors that can retract it at airbag speeds should an impaling be imminent. Think of it as dab of Rolls with your Jaguar.
There's more retraction action at the trunk end of things, too, with a speed-sensing spoiler in the trunk.
Inside are a slew of "hidden riches", as per Bertone. Examples of these little ditties include a hideaway multimedia screen, "Ebony Macasar African Wood", and air vents hidden behind the wraparound wing that floats above the dash. Suspended between the wing and the dashboard are "trumpet" gauges wrapped in aluminum. This unique style also carries over to the transmission shifter/infotainment controller which rises up from the center console.
Now, about those sexy seats; they're definitely Jaguar with their flip-down trays, but with an added touch of flair. Also, all four seats are nestled between their own floating armrests, adding an "at home in the recliner" feel to this luxury sports sedan.
Power comes from an extended range hybrid unit developed by Bertone Energy; in the B99, this system utilizes two 150 kW / 201 hp motors housed at the rear axle and a range-extending 1.4-liter, 125 kW / 168 hp gasoline engine. With their powers combined, these power units create an impressive 425 kW / 570 hp while returning a potential 700 km / 435 mile range (100 km / 62 miles in EV mode) and only emitting 30 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
Also showing up in Geneva is a 2.5 meter wide B99 GT, forecasting a potential track fighter. Not only is it wider, it also sits 100 mm lower and has 50 mm of space between its washboard stomach and the pavement. Also, it gets two more electric motors up front for an all-wheel drive system and 725 total kilowatts (972 hp). You can see most of the other mods, along the with standard B99, in the gallery below.


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