B5 Supercharged

STORY

The B5 is Alpina's take on the 5-Series, conceived as a comfort-biased rival to the BMW M5 in both saloon and Touring wagon form. The E60/E61 B5, launched at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, paired a supercharged 4.4-litre V8 with a six-speed ZF automatic with Switch-Tronic. The engine was an intercooled centrifugal blower on BMW's N62 with a forged crank and pistons, producing 500 PS and 700 Nm.

Marketed at launch as the world's fastest production saloon, the E60 B5 hit 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and 314 km/h flat out, yet rode with the suppleness of a luxury car; fewer than 1,000 were built through 2010, including the hotter B5 S. Later F10 and G30 B5 generations moved to twin-turbo N63 V8s making 600 PS and beyond, and gained xDrive all-wheel drive.

The B5 Touring in particular became a cult "super-wagon": a discreet estate with supercar pace, long-legged comfort and room for the whole family.