01 Bovensiepen 05 GT Autocar front01 Bovensiepen 05 GT Autocar frontA successor to the Alpina B5 has arrived in the form of the Bovensiepen 05 GT – an adapted version of the BMW M5 Touring from the family who founded Alpina but recently sold the naming rights to BMW.The 05 GT comes hot on the heels of the Bovensiepen Zagato, though it is pitched at a less elevated price than the carbon-bodied coupé and demonstrates an easily repeatable format for the brand as it forges a new path. Unlike the limited-edition, M4-based Zagato, the 05 GT involves no fundamental rethinking of the donor car, either in stylistic or mechanical terms.AdvertisementAdvertisementNonetheless, there are myriad changes that explain the circa €50,000 (roughly £43,250) cost of the conversion, which takes place on site in Buchloe, Germany.Foremost among them is an exterior styling package from the studio of Frank Stephenson, known for his work on the Ferrari F430, the first BMW Mini and McLaren's P1. The aim has been to tone down the bravura of the regular M5 Touring while reducing the visual heft of the flanks. New bumpers front and rear, as well as fairly involved treatment of the skirts and a trailing rear spoiler, are the notable elements, replete with 'Bovensiepen' script at the front.Seen in the metal at a small launch event in Austria, the 05 GT is considerably more subtle than the G90-generation M5 and the only real hints of its hammer-like performance are the quartet of tips for the titanium exhaust from Akrapovic, which saves 8kg over the standard stainless steel piping.Changes to the driveline are limited to a retune of the 4.4-litre S68 twin-turbo V8, which, along with an optimised air intake and the free-flowing exhaust, raises total output from 718bhp and 738lb ft in the regular M5 to 790bhp and 811lb ft. The electrical portion of the driveline remains untouched and still provides up to 195bhp and 35 miles or so of real-world electric range. Bovensiepen quotes a top speed of more than 190mph and a 0-62mph time of "less than" 3.6sec. A 2555kg kerb weight makes it 5kg heavier than the regular M5 Touring.AdvertisementAdvertisementOf more interest to the traditional Alpina buyer – still the kind of customer Bovensiepen is targeting here, with the 05 GT's blend of monumental speed and supposedly M5-beating comfort – are the suspension modifications.The M5's M Adaptive dampers have undergone a retune and the 05 GT is also fitted with its own unique Eibach springs, as well as new strut-tower braces. The staggered wheel set-up of the regular M5 is also dispensed with and the Bovensiepen is fitted with 21in alloys (with milled spokes) all round. 'BOV'-marked tyres, bespoke from Pirelli, complete the package. Inside, the 05 GT is as per the M5, albeit with almost limitless customisation potential in terms of leather and stitching colours, the use of Alcantara and even custom embossing of the headrests. It is the labour-intensive nature of this work that will limit production at the historical Buchloe factory to no more than 100 units annually – all of them Tourings for the time being.First deliveries are scheduled for the end of the year, with prices starting at €198,900 (£171,125) in Germany before options such as Lavalina leather. The car seen here is optioned to around €215,000 (£185,820). As for the servicing, a deal has still to be finalised but Sytner BMW looks likely to handle maintenance for UK customers. ]]>
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