Alpina D5S

Personally, I’ve mentioned many times in past articles how much I like BMW as a brand. Since driving the E36 318is, I’ve really loved BMW’s driving dynamics and fun factor, and it remains one of the manufacturers I’d love to own if given the chance.

Among BMW’s lineup, the high-performance models that stand alongside the M series are the “Alpina” cars. Although I’d always wanted to try and own an Alpina someday, I had never experienced one—until now. A friend recently purchased a D5S, and I had the opportunity to test drive it.

This car is the early G30 generation D5S. It’s powered by a 2993cc inline-six DOHC diesel turbo engine producing 326ps at 4000–4600rpm and a massive 700Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500rpm.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, with a cruising top speed of 275 km/h. One thing to note is that Alpina doesn’t refer to this as the “top speed.” Instead, they call it the “cruising top speed.”

By specifying a speed the car can maintain comfortably, the manufacturer shows confidence in the vehicle and highlights its character as an ultra-high-speed touring machine.

The exterior is finished in BMW’s usual Bluestone Metallic, without the typical Alpina stripes. This is a refined Alpina that doesn’t flaunt its identity unnecessarily—truly a “a wise hawk hides its claws” kind of car.

Inside, the distinctive Alpina wood trim paired with beige leather is stunning, and the seats are very comfortable.

Alpina’s Diesel Engine

Alpina’s diesel engines have a great reputation and have been praised widely, so I was very curious.

I’m generally not a big fan of diesel engines (they just don’t suit my driving style), but I hoped that experiencing Alpina’s diesel might change my mind. So, I started the engine.

The Alpina diesel engine starts up very quietly. Once underway, thanks to the huge 700Nm of torque available from very low revs, I expected the torque delivery to feel somewhat unwieldy, but it didn’t. Instead, it felt like a normally torquey car, smoothly building speed.

As I drove, the engine sound, which was quiet at startup, became more audible—almost with a hint of assertiveness. Even though it’s a diesel, it seems tuned to let you hear the engine. Inside the cabin, the sound hardly feels diesel-like at all.

It’s more like a sporty four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine in tone and character.

Let’s See This Alpina Magic in Action

On a stretch with consecutive curves, I increased the pace and turned the steering. The handling felt surprisingly mild. At first, I thought, “Huh? This feels just like a very normal sedan.”

The ride quality was outstanding, like someone had carefully sanded away every little bump you’d normally feel in a regular BMW 5 Series. Big or small imperfections in the road felt equally softened. The first impression was that everything was handled with great care.

I recently test drove the BMW 840i, which also had excellent ride comfort, but the feel was different. The 840i was light and airy, while the Alpina felt more plush and composed.

On the other hand, perhaps due to the diesel engine, I sensed a subtle roughness—not vibration, but a fine graininess through the steering wheel and seats that you don’t get in gasoline cars.

After a few corners, I noticed the body roll was quite pronounced—actually softer than a regular 5 Series. But it didn’t mean the car couldn’t corner; despite the roll, it stuck well and inspired confidence.

Switching to Sport mode, the car transformed instantly. The biggest change was in the suspension rather than engine control. Suddenly, the car felt wide awake, and the steering became noticeably sharper. The moment I switched to Sport, I found myself saying, “Wow, it’s so much easier to drive now!” The car’s behavior changed dramatically.

The tires gripped more firmly, and the nose responded immediately to steering inputs. Body roll was clearly reduced, and the car felt more agile overall.

What’s more, the ride comfort didn’t change at all. Many cars get harsher in Sport mode, but this one stayed just as comfortable. That’s quite rare.

Clearly, the steering response improved, so the damping must have stiffened. Yet, it still absorbs bumps as well as in Comfort mode. “Ah, so this is what Alpina’s suspension is all about!” I finally understood.

The suspension feels very tenacious—not stiff and harsh, but supple and yet firmly planted. This seemingly contradictory feeling is a hallmark of this car.

Although I didn’t get to test it on the highway, I confirmed the straight-line stability inside the bumpy tunnels of the Royu Driveway. I’m confident this car offers excellent high-speed stability and a very low sense of speed for the driver.

Is the Diesel Engine a Good Choice?

After driving on winding roads, it’s clear this diesel engine is powerful and has a pleasant revving character. However, if I had to point out one downside—not specific to Alpina but inherent to diesel engines—the redline is too low.

Using the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to keep the engine in its sweet spot, the revs feel so smooth and un-diesel-like that I found myself wanting to push the engine harder.

Moreover, the engine sounds strong and effortless, with Alpina’s signature tone. In my mind, it felt like a gasoline engine revving to around 4000rpm, with another 2500rpm of headroom to spare.

But when I glanced at the tachometer, I realized the redline was already looming at 5000rpm.

I thought, “Wait, that’s it already?!” It was a sobering moment. Just as I was about to enjoy the engine fully, the climax ended prematurely.

This feeling is something Alpina can’t fix. In fact, because Alpina’s diesel is so smooth, it only made me want to rev more, which led to extra frustration.

That said, this applies mainly to spirited driving on winding roads where you want to rev the engine.

For most drivers using the car daily in city traffic, intercity travel, or on highways, the diesel’s abundant torque and high-geared setup deliver excellent drivability and comfort.

In my opinion, this Alpina is an “Urban Express.” It’s perfect for those living in cities who frequently face stop-and-go traffic or cover long distances. It offers the ideal powertrain for those situations.

If you’re torn between diesel and gasoline engines, I recommend understanding each engine’s characteristics and deciding which driving scenario you want to enjoy most before making your choice.

In any case, the “Alpina Magic” is very much alive. The chassis and suspension are outstanding, making this car enjoyable and worthwhile on their own.