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Alpina won't sell its 600-hp B6 Bi-Turbo in the US

Like the B5 Bi-Turbo revealed last month, the newest version of Alpina's B6 packs an upgraded 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 now good for 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The result is a 0-62 time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 205 miles per hour, giving it similar acceleration to the M6 but a much higher top speed. Other enhancements include a sport suspension with adjustable dampers, a limited-slip differential, fully retrimmed interior, and an available brake upgrade. These are essentially the same upgrades applied to the Edition 50 that helped Alpina celebrate its half-century anniversary. But with those all sold out, the enhancements will now be available to European customers on the standard B6 – in either coupe or convertible form – starting in the spring, with prices comparing roughly to those of the M6. Unfortunately, the two-door B6 isn't available Stateside, but we can get the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe with the same output. With four driven wheels and four doors, the US-market B6 will rocket to 60 in an estimated 3.6 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 200 mph – if only we had the derestricted highways to test that out. Related Video: BMW ALPINA B6 BI-TURBO WITH UPDATED 4.4 LITRE V8 BI-TURBO • V8 Bi-Turbo producing 441 kW (600 hp) and 800 Nm of torque • BMW ALPINA B6 Bi-Turbo Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds • Significantly extended standard equipment A limited number of fifty units of the BMW ALPINA B6 Bi-Turbo EDITION 50 were produced for our customers. Created and developed to celebrate ALPINA's 50th Anniversary in 2015, these vehicles all exhibit unique features sourced from ALPINA's long and eventful heritage. Like limited edition models of the past, the popularity of the EDITION 50 means all examples have been placed with customers. The regular version of the BMW ALPINA B6 Bi-Turbo Coupe and Convertible will continue to be available in spring 2016 and featuring the updated engine and drivetrain configuration. The powerful 4.4 litre V8 Bi-Turbo has been developed further, increasing output to 441 kW (600 hp) and 800 Nm of torque. The BMW ALPINA B6 Bi-Turbo Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, onto a top speed of 330 km/h. Combined consumption according to ECE Norm remains at 9.4 l/100km and 219 g/km CO2. The ALPINA sport suspension with Adaptive Drive comprises electronically adjustable dampers and active roll stabilisation.

BMW preparing new M4 GTS with water injection

Last month, BMW revealed a new safety car for the MotoGP series. Only instead of just taking one of its production models and giving it some flashing lights, special livery and emergency equipment, the Bavarian automaker used the specially equipped M4 to showcase a new water injection system. And now word has it that the tech is being worked into a new M4 GTS. The system sprays water into the combustion chamber in order to lower the temperature of the air and increase the engine's efficiency, thus allowing it to produce more power without overheating, and relying less on ambient temperatures. It does require refilling a 1.3-gallon water tank in the trunk, though. According to Car and Driver, it's that same system that BMW will be installing in the new M4 GTS, taking the place of previous M3 GTS specials. If precedent is anything to go by, the M4 GTS will also be stripped of excess weight and feature a tighter suspension, stickier tires and more, in order to make BMW's muscle coupe even more hardcore and focused for the track. We could be looking at a debut as early as Pebble Beach in August.

BMW and Mini shuffle NA management, McDowell to retire

BMW and Mini recently shuffled top personnel in their design departments, and now BMW of North America will reorganize its management to improve customer relations. Peter Miles (pictured), currently the executive vice president of operations, will take a newly created position, vice president of sales channel development and customer relations, while Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini of the Americas, will retire.
Chris Koenders, president of BMW Group Netherlands, will move take Miles' spot as executive vice president of operations. David Duncan, western region vice president, will take McDowell's job as vice president of Mini of the Americas. Finishing off the management switcharoo is Peter Witt, who will move from his current position as Managing Director of BMW Sweden to take Duncan's job as western region vice president.
"We are intensifying our customer-driven focus and these changes will influence the entire organization to continue improving all phases of the customer journey from prospect to purchase and throughout the ownership cycle," says Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO of BMW NA. For more information on the management reorganization, check out the press release below.