Makes › Alpina › Roadster › Roadster V8 (Z8 / E52) · Specialist manufacturer Very Rare
Alpina
Roadster V8 (Z8 / E52)
Alpina version of the BMW Z8 with 4.8 V8 and automatic, largely for the US market
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: nakhon100 · CC BY 2.0
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Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 555 Built
- Years
- Not yet verified
- Engine
- V8 · 4,800 cc / 4.8 LFactory: 4.8 L
- Power
- 280 kW / 380 PSFactory: 375 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Henrik Fisker (exterior design of the BMW Z8 on which it is based)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Alpina Roadster V8 recast the BMW Z8 as a grand tourer: Alpina enlarged the V8 to 4.8 litres, fitted an automatic gearbox, softened the suspension and added larger wheels. Production was limited to 555 cars.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionAlpina Roadster V8 cars built (numbered series) | 5551 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Z8 derived from the 1997 Z07 concept, with exterior design by Henrik Fisker as a homage to the BMW 507. Alpina took the 4.4-litre M62 V8 from the 540i and enlarged it to 4.8 litres with bespoke pistons and connecting rods; the engine was coded F5/1 and produced 375 hp and 383 lb-ft, 15 hp less than the M5 engine but with more torque. A five-speed Steptronic automatic with steering-wheel buttons replaced the manual.
The aluminium body and chassis came from BMW Dingolfing, Alpina assembled the powertrain at Buchloe, and the two were mated at a dedicated shop at the Munich factory. Of the 555 cars, 450 went to the USA.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Roadster V8 (Z8 / E52).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | F5/12 Independently researched |
| Layout | V82 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 4,800 cc / 4.8 LFactory: 4.8 L2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 280 kW / 380 PSFactory: 375 hp · converted2 Independently researched |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 519 NmFactory: 383 lb-ft · converted2 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 3,800 rpm2 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Five-speed BMW Steptronic automatic with manual shift buttons2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 52 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Aluminium body shell and chassis built at BMW Dingolfing2 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Each car is numbered in the series of 555 and carries Alpina identification badges. Alpina features include a Steptronic gearbox with Alpina steering-wheel shift buttons, 20-inch multi-spoke wheels with conventional tyres instead of run-flats, custom Alpina instrument dials with a gear-shift indicator, Nappa leather, and Alpina motifs on seat backs, steering-wheel centre, door sills, engine cover and boot lid.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
RM Sotheby's – 2003 BMW Alpina Roadster V8 (Monterey 2021) Level B
- 555 Alpina Roadster V8 cars built (numbered series)
-
2
2003 BMW Alpina V8 Roadster, number 092 of 555 Level C Road Scholars
- codenamed F5/1
- 4.4 liter M62 V8 ... enlarged to 4.8 liters
- enlarged to 4.8 liters with bespoke pistons
- produced 375 horsepower and 383 ft-lb of torque
- 383 ft-lb of torque
- at 3,800 rpms
- five-speed BMW Steptronic automatic transmission
- five-speed BMW Steptronic
- aluminum body shell and chassis were produced in BMW's Dingolfing factory
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