Alpina Launches Into China With B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe

The Chinese market is about to get a whole slew of new performance BMWs at its disposal as Alpina has announced its expansion into the so-called People's Republic.

The partnership with the Prestige Cars Group, which already runs a network of BMW dealerships across the country, will see dedicated Alpina showroom areas inaugurated in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen (just north of Hong Kong).

To start things off, Alpina will start exporting the B4 Bi-Turbo Coupe to China, offering local customers an alternative to the BMW M4, with demonstrators and initial deliveries commencing already this month. More models are slated to follow after the new year, including the B7 Bi-Turbo long-wheelbase sedan.

We're almost afraid to ask how much these vehicles will sell for in the Middle Kingdom. But as it is, a new M4 or base 730Li start in China at around 900,000 yuan (equivalent to nearly $140,000 at current exchange rates), while an M4 GTS or 750Li command over twice that at just under 2 million yuan (or $300,000).