Skip to main content

2014 Alpina B4 Biturbo: Alpina works its German magic on the BMW 4 Series

Legendary BMW tuner Alpina has already gotten its hands on the 4 Series coupe. The 2014 Alpina B4 Biturbo debuted at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

The B4 Biturbo is based on the BMW 435i, and retains its 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged inline-six. However, Alpina replaces the stock turbos with ones of its own design, adds a freer-flowing exhaust system, and modifies the engine internals.

The result is a substantial increase in power, from 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque to 410 hp and 442 lb-ft.

Equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the B4 Biturbo will do 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 189 mph.

Alpina also reinforced the suspension and brakes to make the B4 Biturbo more than just a dragster. The car also gets 20-inch wheels with Alpina’s signature multi-spoke design.

Unlike other tuners, Alpina has always preferred subtlety to loudness, and that’s apparent in the tasteful visual modifications seen here. Instead of flared fenders and acres of louvers, the B4 Biturbo gets a restrained body kit and trunk lid spoiler, plus quad exhaust outlets to hint at the power under the hood.

Alpina caters to a different crowd, which is why its cars traditionally have turbochargers and automatic transmissions, two things that (used to be) anathema to the in-house tuners at BMW M.

This impulse to do what M won’t has also led Alpina to build performance versions of cars the factory doesn’t want to touch, including diesels and the 7 Series full-size luxury sedan.

As with the regular 4 Series, the B4 Biturbo will be offered with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It goes on sale in Europe in May 2014, but may not make it to the U.S.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more