BMW fans, such as myself, have been begging the Bavarian brand to create a wagon version of the BMW M5. The famous M Division doesn’t really seen keen on developing any touring variants, though, which is disappointing as the new M5 would be a perfect car for a long roof. However, fans can take solace in the fact that there is actually a version of the 5 Series Touring that’s actually the world’s fastest wagon — the ALPINA B5 Biturbo Touring.
Prior to the ALPINA B5 Biturbo Touring, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Estate was the fastest production wagon on Earth. With its 600 hp and all-wheel drive, it seemed as if the AMG would retain that title for a very long time. But the folks in Affalterbach didn’t expect ALPINA.
The ALPINA B5 Biturbo uses a revised version of the same 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8 that you’ll find in the BMW M550i. Except it gets new turbochargers, a new intake, new pistons, revised cooling and an ECU tune, among many other things, so it makes 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. That’s the same horsepower figure as the all-new BMW M5 but the ALPINA packs more torque. All of that power is sent through an eight-speed automatic, that’s also been revised by ALPINA, to all four wheels.
According to ALPINA, the B5 Biturbo Touring can top out at 201 mph which, now that the B5 is officially on sale in Europe, makes it faster than any other production wagon on the planet. That’s insane speed in a luxurious wagon that’s capable of hauling the family and all of their gear. For comparison’s sake, the Ferrari 458 Italia topped out at 202 mph. So this gorgeously appointed, five-seater wagon is basically capable of the same top speed as an exotic, mid-engine supercar from just a few years ago.
The only real downside to the ALPINA B5 Biturbo Touring is the fact that it isn’t sold in America. Though, maybe that’s a good thing because it if were sold here I’d currently be looking into black market kidney sales, so I could afford to buy one.
