hey everyone, today I have something a little bit different for you this is a brand new 2022 bmw alpena b8 this is based on the bmw 8 series grand coupe this video is going to be a little bit shorter than normal because I’m out here near palm springs california today and I don’t have too much time with the b8 so if you want to know more about this hopefully I will have this back at home for a complete week a The alpena model gets a unique lower bumper treatment there with quad exhaust tips definitely an interesting spoiler air splitter right down there at the bottom and the most defining feature are these unique wheels on the outside they’re two different wheel sizes available depending on the tire options that you want now this is what bmw calls a four-door coupe obviously it has a few to choose from now this is what bmw calls a four-door coupe obviously it has a few to choose from now this is what bmw calls a Under the hood, we have a version of bmw’s 4.4 liter v8 that has been tweaked by alpena, we have an alpena logo right there and alpena badging on either side right there, and it’s certainly going to be a little bit more exclusive than the m8.
That might be one reason why you might want to take a look at the b8.
This engine generates 612 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of power output, it’s coupled to a zf 8-speed automatic gearbox.
This engine is in the middle of the bmw m8 and the b8 rivalry.
If you’re looking for extreme performance, the m8 or the m8 competition is the way to go.
It’s 351 pounds more than the m8, which is why the zero to 60 time, although still impressive, will be a touch slower than the m8.
We also don’t have the same severe brakes as the m8 and don’t have all of the same body changes as the bmw m model, so this is a step in a new direction.
We locate all of bmw’s newest technology, like their laser headlights, since alpena is about a combination of performance and elegance.
Active safety features like as radar adaptive cruise control and lean keeping aid are among the most recent.
Available is a 360-degree camera system.
You’ll notice the heads-up display module directly above the instrument cluster, as well as an interior with a lot of quality touches like the alcantara headliner right there, and a dual-pane moon roof for the rear passengers.
This car boasts a lot of luxury leather upholstery, and the seats are both heated and ventilated.
The style is a little different from the rest of the eight series range, but it clearly has alpenis accents.
similar to the rest of the lineup’s enormous infotainment screen in the middle temperature control controls over here plenty of wood trim things are a little bit more customisable than the ordinary eight series depending on precisely what you’re looking for another alpena logo right there The bmw alpena little plate, followed by an alpena emblem on the steering wheel instead of the usual m steering wheel, despite the steering wheel design being extremely similar to the m wheel.
The paddles have a different twist, so you’ll notice it looks very different than the paddle we see on the regular model, perhaps it’s easier to see on the right side of the steering wheel there’s the little plus icon right there, and then if you go down here that’s actually the button to shift gears rather than a full on paddle you might be wondering why does alpena use a button rather than a paddle to be honest i’m not terribly sure we have a full Lots of premium materials happen back here electric sun shades lots of stitched materials these are probably the nicest rear door panels that we find in the bmw lineup kind of unusually back here this is a five seat vehicle but we have this fixed-in place center console which is quite large it houses the controls for the four zone automatic climate control also some usb-c charge ports right there and a little bit of a slot where you can keep your smartphone while driving.
The bmw 8 series grand coupe is available in four distinct colors.
The 840i, with its 3 liter inline 6-cylinder engine, will be the slowest.
If you want to drive a little quicker, there are three different turbocharged v8 engines to choose from.
The 850 will get you from zero to sixty in 3.7 seconds, while the m8 competition will get you from zero to sixty in three seconds, despite the fact that it is now the only version of the m accessible in the United States.
Finally, we have the alpena b8, which is an intriguing alternative.
It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.
It has 612 horsepower, which is only a smidgeon less than the m8, and it features performance enhancements similar to the m8, but not quite as extreme.
It receives four piston front brake calipers.
steering with four wheels shocks with a restricted zipper differential adjustment wishbone mounts, for example, have been modified, and anti-roll bars have been stiffened.
The m8 gets even more of everything, including a six-piston front caliper, stiffer suspension, and an electronically controlled limited slip differential.
The best way to explain the difference is that on the alpena model, they’re focusing on the luxury side of luxury sports cars, whereas on the m8, they’re focusing on the sport side of luxury sports cars.
Everything has been dialed up just a little bit further, a little bit harsher, and that does give up some of the luxury comfort features that you’d expect in a vehicle that costs over 130 000, and that’s where the alpena comes in if you want The m8s is going to be a little bit firmer, the brakes are going to be a little bit grippier, the tires are going to be a little bit grippier, etc.
Everything is tuned up to 11, but there isn’t a huge difference in real world driving.
Because taking something this big from 0-60 in three seconds requires perfect traction, depending on the exact kind of traction you get, whether you’ve brake torqued it a little bit, and exactly how many people are in the vehicle, the v8 and the m8 right next to each other could go zero to 60 in a very similar time if not identically.
The m8 will have a slight advantage over the b8, but unless you compare the two vehicles side by side, you’re unlikely to notice much of a difference.
However, if you compare the two vehicles side by side, as I was able to do thanks to a local bmw dealer down here in palm springs, you’ll notice that the m8 is more firmly sprung and the b8 feels a little bit more like the bmw 850 in terms of ride quality.
If you want a bmw that is a little bit more comfortable and a little bit quieter, you should look at the 7 series now there is an alpena b7 which is interesting because there is no m7 bmw has long held that the 7 series isn’t quite the right platform for a full on m vehicle so they simply stop at m performance with the m 760i the b7 ends If I had to choose between the 8 series and the B7, I’d go with the B7.
Let me know what you think in the comments area.