Production | |
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Model Year: | 1982 |
Production Years: | 1982 - 1985 discontinued in 1985 |
The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24), produced between 1982 and 1985, is a distinguished classic luxury coupe that combines elegant design with high-performance engineering. Based on the BMW 6 Series E24 platform, the Alpina B9 enhanced the original coupe’s appeal by incorporating Alpina's renowned tuning expertise. This coupe typifies 1980s automotive sophistication and exclusivity.
The B9 (E24) coupe maintains a balanced exterior size typical for grand tourers of its era, with a length, width, and height designed to deliver both agility and road presence. While exact external dimensions for the Alpina B9 variant are closely aligned with the BMW E24, the original E24 coupe measures approximately 4,775 mm (188 inches) in length, 1,720 mm (67.7 inches) in width, and 1,340 mm (52.7 inches) in height. These proportions offer a sleek and aerodynamic coupe body, ideal for spirited driving and luxury cruising.
Under the hood, the Alpina B9 distinguished itself with significant performance upgrades, combining a robust inline-six engine with Alpina’s own modifications for improved power output and driving dynamics. The car's weight was managed carefully to balance performance and handling, making it a respected car among collectors and enthusiasts today.
Inside, the coupe's design emphasized driver comfort and sophistication, featuring a well-appointed cabin consistent with early 1980s luxury standards. The B9 Coupe blends classic style with performance, making it a notable model in Alpina’s legacy during the early 1980s. Its production run, lasting until 1985, marks it as a rare and valuable classic sports coupe, perfectly suited for those interested in vintage Alpina cars or comparative studies of coupe sizes and capabilities across different eras.
Discover the standout features that make the 1982 Alpina B9 Coupe a leader in its class
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The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) features a length of approximately 4,800 mm (189 inches), a width of about 1,740 mm (68.5 inches), and a height around 1,350 mm (53.2 inches). These dimensions give the B9 Coupe a sleek, athletic stance characteristic of classic grand touring coupes from the 1980s, balancing elegance with aerodynamic form. Its size contributes to both road presence and driving dynamics, fitting well within the sports coupe segment of its time.
With a width of roughly 1,740 mm (68.5 inches) and a height of about 1,350 mm (53.2 inches), the Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) has a relatively low and broad profile. This aids in reducing aerodynamic drag and enhancing stability at higher speeds. The wider stance improves cornering grip, while the lower height reduces air resistance, making for a confident, planted driving experience. These dimensions also improve the coupe's sporty aesthetics and contribute to its reputation as a driver-focused performance car.
The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) has an estimated curb weight of around 1,450 kg (3,197 lbs). This relatively moderate weight for a grand touring coupe of its era helps the vehicle deliver a balanced combination of performance and comfort. The weight supports strong acceleration, nimble handling, and efficient braking. Additionally, Alpina’s engineering emphasizes a fine balance between power output and chassis dynamics, ensuring that the weight serves to enhance driving enjoyment without compromising agility.
The dimensions of the Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) — approximately 4,800 mm (189 inches) in length and 1,740 mm (68.5 inches) in width — typically allow it to fit into a standard single-car residential garage. Most standard garages provide space around 5,000 mm (200 inches) in length and 2,400 mm (94.5 inches) in width, offering comfortable clearance for opening doors and maneuvering. Owners should, however, verify their specific garage dimensions, considering any storage or structural features that may reduce usable space.
The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) features moderately wide front and rear track widths, typically around 1,460 mm (57.5 inches) to 1,480 mm (58.3 inches), which enhance stability and cornering performance. A wider track width lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity and reduces body roll during aggressive maneuvers. Alpina's focus on chassis tuning ensures that these dimensions optimize grip and handling balance, creating a responsive, engaging driving dynamics package that distinguishes the B9 Coupe from standard BMW E24 models.
The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24), built on the BMW E24 platform, offers a comfortable interior with adequate headroom and legroom for front passengers, typical of a grand tourer coupe. While exact passenger space metrics were not extensively published, the design focuses on driver and front passenger ergonomics, featuring supportive seats and a driver-centric cockpit. Rear seating is more limited, suitable for occasional passengers or additional storage, reflecting the coupe's emphasis on performance and style over maximum interior volume.
The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24), based on the BMW 6 Series E24, improves on its BMW predecessors by integrating Alpina's performance upgrades while preserving the fundamental dimensions. Compared to earlier BMW 6 Series variants, the B9 retains similar length and width but features enhanced engine tuning and suspension improvements for better power output and handling. This blend maintains the aesthetic proportions of the original coupe but elevates performance, setting the Alpina B9 apart as a more focused and exclusive grand touring machine.
In comparison to similar 1980s grand tourers like the Jaguar XJS or Mercedes-Benz SEC, the Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) offers competitive exterior dimensions with a slightly more compact footprint in length and width, promoting agility. Performance-wise, Alpina’s meticulous engine and suspension enhancements provide spirited driving dynamics that rival or surpass contemporaries, especially in terms of balance and handling precision. The B9 combines classic coupe elegance with a distinctive performance edge, distinguishing itself amid contemporaries.
The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) is equipped with a fuel tank capacity of approximately 70 liters (18.5 US gallons). This sizable tank supports extended driving range suitable for grand touring purposes, enabling long-distance travel without frequent refueling. Coupled with the vehicle's performance orientation, the fuel consumption varies dependent on driving style but generally balances efficiency with power. The large tank capacity enhances the car's usability as a GT, providing convenience and fewer stopovers on road trips.
The Alpina B9 Coupe (E24) inherits the elegant, sweeping roofline of the BMW E24 platform, characterized by a low, flowing silhouette that accentuates its sporty yet refined grand touring identity. The fastback-style rear window and tight greenhouse contribute both to aerodynamic efficiency and aesthetic sophistication. These design elements amplify the car's visual appeal while slightly limiting rear-seat headroom, typical for coupes oriented more towards a driver-focused experience than rear passenger comfort.