Alpina has teased its fettled BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe variant, but our spy photographers have managed to capture it completely undisguised.
The 2023 Alpina B4 Gran Coupe will be the closest thing to a Gran Coupe version of the M4, something BMW has said it doesn’t plan on building.
It’s expected to share its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with the 3 Series-based, all-wheel drive Alpina B3.
In that application, it produces 340kW of power and 700Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
That makes it good for a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds in sedan guise.
The requisite Alpina stripes, logos and spoke-heavy wheels may be missing from this prototype, as are the rear lip spoiler and restyled front spoiler seen on past prototypes, but the labelled brake callipers gives the game away – this is an Alpina.
There are also quad exhaust outlets, a hallmark of the Buchloe-based tuner. The bumper has been hastily cut to accommodate them, indicating we should expect to see a different rear bumper on the production vehicle.
As with all Alpina models, the B4 Gran Coupe will likely feature a comfort-oriented adaptive suspension with a unique Comfort Plus setting. It’s designed to be even softer than the setting in BMW models, for a business-class ride over any type of road.
Inside, the Alpina formula is simple. The B4 Gran Coupe will be available with lavish Lavalina leather trim, and unique piping/finish options compared to the more mundane BMW range.
Alpina currently offers versions of the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series Gran Coupe, X3, X4 and X7.
Only the B3, X3-based XD3, X7-based XB7, and 8 Series-based B8 are currently sold here.
BMW announced last week it has secured the rights to the Alpina brand, which it says will secure the long-term future of the tuning firm as part of the BMW Group.
MORE: BMW acquires Alpina, current vehicle program ending in 2025
Although it builds on the base laid down by BMW, Alpina does more than just tune its cars. BMW Alpina vehicles have their own VIN, and Alpina is recognised as a manufacturer in Germany.
BMW hasn’t given concrete details as to what Alpina will look like beyond 2025 when it discontinues its current vehicle program.
The Alpina team will continue to develop, manufacture and sell BMW Alpina vehicles until the end of 2025, with final assembly continuing to take place at the firm’s workshops in Buchloe.
The service, parts, and accessories business for the existing and legacy BMW Alpina vehicle portfolio will continue there in the long term, and there’ll be no change to Alpina’s existing after-sales cooperation.
“With our expertise and high standards of quality, we will bring other convincing mobile offerings to the market in the future,” said Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co KG co-managing director Florian Bovensiepen.
Just what these ‘mobile offerings’ will be is unclear.
BMW says the transition towards electric vehicles and stricter emissions and safety regulations worldwide has resulted in “significantly higher risks for small-series manufacturers”, and Alpina is therefore engaging in a “strategic realignment”.
