2015 BMW Alpina B6

Once in a blue moon, the Bavarian performance manufacturer Alpina works with BMW to produce fast, rare and low-volume powerhouses. Its latest creation: The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe.

Revealed at the 2014 New York International Auto Show in April, the 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe Gran Coupe is available as a special-order vehicle with limited production.

More skewed toward luxury than BMW's own high-performance M vehicles, Alpina takes the body of the four-door BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and packs it with a 4.4-liter Alpina Bi-Turbo V8 that cranks out 540 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to all four wheels via BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

The result is a 0-60 mph time of just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 198 mph. That's compared with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds from the BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe's 445hp V8. Not only is the Alpina B6 faster, it sports unique exterior elements, like a front splitter and additional aero work that directs airflow over and around the body, instead of underneath for added high-speed stability. Big 20-inch wheels use a distinctive, 20-spoke design. In the rear, elliptical aluminum exhaust pipes further differentiate the Alpina model.

Inside, the 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe is wrapped in premium leather, trimmed in myrtle wood or a black piano finish and branded with the Alpina logo. Certain elements are finished by hand, such as the stitching on the steering wheel. Those willing to plunk down the cash for the Alpina B6 will have the option to further customize their vehicles with a variety of exterior and interior color schemes and options. Exclusive exterior colors include Alpina Blue and Alpina Green.

Like other BMW Alpina models, the B6 Gran Coupe body is built in the BMW 6 Series plant in Dingolfing, Germany, then hand-finished with select components at Alpina's Buchloe, Germany factory.

The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe Gran Coupe starts at $118,225, including $925 destination and handling. Buyers can choose a European Delivery option at the BMW Welt delivery center in Munich, or U.S. delivery at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC.