BMW Alpina E34 - a classic of the German car industry

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Advances in the automotive industry came about through trial and error, creating hundreds of variations and, as the end result, a few units of worthy results. The German car industry, after years of desolation, has risen to a qualitatively new level, a vivid example of this is the eternal BMW Alpina E34.

General information about the manufacturer

The Bavarian brand Alpina was born in the second half of the last century. The main activity is the improvement of existing models of the Bavarian brand. More specifically, the specialists of the enterprise worked on:

• improving the main characteristics of standard motors;
• improving the main components of the car, as well as the appearance;
• partial replacement of interior decoration elements.

Success came to the brand in motorsport too, the company maintained its own team, which won the DTM, the 24-hour race of the Nürburgring, the ETCC championship.

Daily work ensured popularity for years to come, which gave impetus to further developments. In particular, the use of the legendary body of the BMW Alpina E34 has become a considerable achievement. On its basis is baseda whole family of cars, which will be discussed later.

Alpina versions in E34 body

In total, the company's engineers implemented 5 modifications of the model:B10 3, 5/1 - mass production began in 1988. The main innovation was the introduction of the Mahle piston group in the standard 3.5-liter unit. Work on exhaust control, ECU and cylinder head gave a return of 254 "horses" with a torque of 325 "Newtons". The car was equipped with a 5-speed "mechanics", redesigned suspension BMW Alpina E34. The interior was supplemented with a branded steering wheel, as well as leather upholstery.

BMW Alpina B10 BiTurbo E34 - the March Geneva Motor Show was remembered for the release of the fastest car of the then Germany. The main change affected the engine, which acquired a pair of Garrett T25 turbines. They literally pressed the driver into the seat during a sharp start from a place, stability control was implemented to prevent drift. The power of the unit was 360 l / s, and the torque was 552 Nm. In addition, the “German” inherited ventilated brakes and manual gearboxes of its own production. The interior of the car was complemented by brutal sports seats.

BMW E34 Alpina B10 3, 0 - this sedan received a 3-liter engine, the power of which increased to 231 "horses". In two years, 64 units were sold, and in the station wagon - 70 copies.

B10 4, 0 - boasts the first "eight" under the hood, adaptive pistons,improved direct injection system, programmable control unit. The power unit produced 315 l / s, worked under the strict guidance of a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed automatic transmission. External changes included a redesigned grille, front spoiler.

B10 4, 6 - the car was equipped with a 430-horsepower engine paired with a "mechanics" in 6 steps. Work on the exhaust system added a couple of "horses". The branded suspension consisted of gas-type shock absorbers, springs with a progressive springs system. The first hundred is reached in 6.4 s. Serial production of the BMW Alpina E34 began in 1994, with 46 model units produced.

Perspective for Alpina B7 xDrive

Recent developments and upgrades made at the enterprise make us think about a brighter future. So, within the framework of the Geneva Motor Show 2016, the BMW Alpina B7 sedan was presented. Among the most notable changes are:

• Outwardly stand out pipes of the new exhaust system, "lips" of the front bumper and multi-spoke wheels. Colour: Signature Blue Metallic;
• The standard propulsion unit was replaced with a turbocharged V8 with 600 horsepower, 4.4 liters of displacement. A couple in the work is a modified transmission from the company ZF. From zero to hundreds, the car accelerates in 3.8 seconds, the limit mark is 311 km / h;
• ground clearance can be adjusted thanks to adaptive air suspension, cornering is electronically controlled.

Speaking of the prospects, it is safe to assume that the B7 will definitely find a grateful buyer not only in the German market, but also on the world stage. Residents of the UK, by the way, already have the opportunity to buy a novelty of the German car industry.

Conclusion

The German company Alpina has proven that it can not only create a quality product, but also contribute to the global development of the automotive industry. So, the body of the BMW Alpina E34 has already become legendary, the photo of which on the Internet still stirs the souls of fans of immortal classics.