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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 recaps the glory days of M3 performance

Next in the BMW series chronicling the M3 come the second-generation E36 and third-generation E46 models. The E36 ran from 1992 to 2000, upping the game over its predecessor with a 3.0-liter inline-six that started out with 286 horsepower in Europe, or 240 hp when it came to the US in 1994. By the time it ended its run in 1999, it had vastly expanded the lineup and ushered in some key BMW firsts. Going beyond the coupe-only E30, the E36 added sedan and convertible bodystyles, and gave us BMW's Vanos variable cam timing system and the six-speed SMG sequential gearbox. The E46 that launched in 2000 would pare down the bodystyles to coupe and convertible yet go further with design and technical changes. The 3.2-liter inline-six shared only three minor components with the previous motor and put out 333 horsepower at 7,900 rpm. It introduced the power dome, fender vent, and inset exhaust tips as design trademarks. The special editions included the Euro-only M3 CSL, and the second-generation homologation special M3 GTR with a 493-hp, 4.0-liter V8, of which just ten were made. Having made the complete transition from racer for the street to comfortable, perfectly balanced sports car, BMW sold even more of the E46 with just two bodystyles than the E36 with three. Check out the video on the E36 above, then enjoy the look back at the E46 below. If you want to catch up on the latest BMW M3 and its M4 siblings, take a look at the video at the very bottom. Related Video:

Motor Trend first to compare Jaguar XE and BMW 3 Series

How many automakers have loaded up how much ammo and taken how many shots at the BMW 3 Series? Yet here we are, decades on and at least a decade away from the 3 Series' halcyon days, waiting for someone to give the sport sedan something beyond a flesh wound. In this most recent episode of Head 2 Head, Johnny Lieberman goes to Spain to figure out if the Jaguar XE is the sedan to do it. Here the champion wears the guise of the 335i M Sport, powered by a 3.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-six with a square 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque run through a ZF eight-speed transmission. After a short time behind the wheel Lieberman quotes from a familiar hagiography, saying it's evident "just how great this car is and why it defines the segment." The all-aluminum challenger from Jaguar comes in XES trim, meaning a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 with 340 hp and 332 lb-ft. It uses the same eight-speed transmission as the BMW, but with different programming. According to the specs in the video, some of which are manufacturer estimates, the Jaguar is heavier, more expensive, and much thirstier at the pump. Away from the spreadsheet, Lieberman holds that the XE looks better and feels more special inside. In case you're wondering, the comparo was done before MT could get its mitts on the 320-hp BMW 340i. Lieberman says the English company spent its money on the XE suspension and it shows, but there have been other efforts from other automakers with excellent dynamic chops that weren't enough to threaten the BMW. His final assessment is that one of the two cars is awesome, and one is quite a bit better. Watch the video to find out which is which. Related Gallery 2016 Jaguar XE View 74 Photos Related Gallery 2016 BMW 3 Series Refresh View 57 Photos News Source: Motor Trend Channel via Carscoops, YouTube BMW Jaguar Luxury Performance Sedan motor trend jaguar xe head 2 head