Alpina B8 Gran Coupe vs Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S review | Autocar
What is the world’s greatest four-door grand tourer? Well, it’s quite probably one of these.
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S has long been one of our favourite big sporting bruisers. It has a 4.0-litre twin turbocharged V8 making 630bhp and 664lb ft, which is good enough to propel this 2045kg machine from 0-62mph in 3.2sec and o to 196mph.
It also returns 21.9mpg and 298g/km but given it costs £146,785, perhaps you’re not counting.
It now, though, gets a new rival. The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, Alpina’s loose take on a BMW M850i.
It too is very fast and very powerful. It has a 4.4-litre V8 engine making 613bhp and 590lb ft, which is good for a 201mph top speed, and a 0-62mph time of 3.4sec.
Its economy and emissions are 23.9mpg and 270g/km. And it costs £134,950.
Which, though, best blends the qualities you’d be looking for in a four-door grand tourer - speed, comfort, space for occupants and, crucially, being entertaining to drive? Join Road Tester Richard Lane as he oversees the verdict.
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Alpina for sure!! Gorgeous machine! But you have to compare the GT 63 S with the M8 not the Alpina!
A lot of people don't know this. The Alpina should be compared with the Brabus.
@@borosasa3500 Not quite. Brabuses are based on AMGs and are more powerful than them, whereas Alpinas are based on M Performance models and are not even as powerful as M models.
@@borosasa3500 Brabus isn’t a bad reference; I think it sides closer to Maybach design myself but that’s always subjective. :)
@@MarudeR32 Yeah. Brabus makes the cars faster, louder and more powerful. Alpina makes the cars faster, more discreet and more comfortable.
@@MarudeR32 don’t they both have the same engine and transmission?
Biggest takeaway is Alpina moving from Buttons behind the steering wheel to Paddles, Well done Alpina, well done indeed
Alpina offers both the paddles and the buttons. They have been doing this for some time now. Alpina was the first manufacturer to use steering wheel mounted controls to operate an automatic transmission. They started doing it in 1992 with the switch-tronic system and it was with the buttons. The reason they still offer the buttons is because heritage, style and use. In 1992 Formula 1 started using paddles shifters, which took a number of years before it was adopted by other manufacturers. Alpina was first, because then CEO and founder Burkhard Bovensiepen saw the uprising of automatic gearboxes in drivers cars and he wanted to keep manual engagement and control of the gearshift, he then tasked his engineers with coming with a solution. Joe Achilles has an in depth interview with Andreas Bovensiepen, current ceo of Alpina and son of Burkhard. A good watch if you might be interested in learning more about the brand.
The best review this year by far, caught the complete essences of a gentleman review. Couldn't be more polished than this👏
The presenter is like the Alpina, give him just a little time and he will be worth it. Highly polished, engineer centric, delivery with nice brush strokes of passion, art and humor. I almost walked away from this review but am very pleased that I hung around. Hats off.
Man those are both awesome cars. Alpina has been making this exact type of car their whole life so I think I would go B8. Thanks for the great video; these were probably tough to get together.
M8 over gt 4 door. Alpina is next level special. Defies physics
Bet you it doesn't defy physics 😅😅
Mercedes makes shitty engines compared to BMW
Great review. The enthusiastic host is a great improvement on past reporters.
I can't afford either , but both great cars Alpina all day .
Agreed!
Alpina looks gorgeous! And I'm sure it's the better car for daily use as well. And the fact that it's incredibly rare and doesn't shout about its performance like the AMG does, you have a clear winner.
Yep
Love em both....m8 gran coupe is good enough for me
Excelent review. Unlike some of the big "personalities" doing car reviews Richard Lane has a spot on delivery, just the right amount of nonchalance with real enthusiasm. No drama.
That AMG looks so good with the aerodynamics package 🔥😍
BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe Allrad all day, everyday.
To see a video of m850i vs b8 which is based on it and then vs the M8 Comp as the strongest one would be awesome. I would love to see the differences and the overall feel of them. Cheers
Excellent narrative and video, cheers
Alpina for a more relaxed cruise. Full Merino Leather with the (quite expensive) option of full Lavalina in almost every possible combination. Comfort and Comfort + for suspension. On the other hand, if you want real fun on B Roads in a four door saloon, M5 CS would be a great option 😁
Man that M5 CS is insanely impressive; one of those might even be as comfortable based on the reviews of the latest suspension tuning and reduced weight.
@@curtr.5083 M5 CS no longer feels crashy on the shite roads ( although haven't driven or been passenger ). GT63 was awful at that.
Great video 👍🏻 Did the B8 transmit the grip status of the front tires as well as the AMG, in your opinion?
This reporter is on a level with Mr. Prosser. If not even a tad better. Great Work!
Look wise merc just hits different, what a beatiful machine that amg is.
I saw one of these in person and it looks so damn nice
GT63s is gorgeous, especially in that spec. Beast 👌
I’m extremely biased towards the AMG GT63S cuz I own a 2020 model and by far it’s the most amazing car I’ve ever had. It’s an absolute pleasure to get behind the wheel and drive this beast. I’ve had it since June of last year and I think I’ve driven it in comfort mode 3-4 times max, I don’t like driving it in anything other than sports+ mode. The handling is amazing in this car specially in high speeds. $188,000 ish
Yes exactly, i own a 2018 c63s coupe and omg is amg on another level now, they are the most fun and brutal cars ever. No bmw M has ever gave me these trills, also i've driven m8 grand coupe and the amg gt63s and the amg gt63s is so perfect omg, its my dream car but not too long before i can own mine
@@ouimongate5961 The BMW is better and faster
@@henzo7087 Almost every review I've read and watched state that the GT63s drives better than the M8 Gran Coupe. The M8 may be faster on a straight line, but it is said to be nowhere near as engaging to drive. It even came last on a tripple test conducted by Car and Driver. The list goes on and on. The M8 is a good car, but it's certainly not as exciting as the GT63s 🤷♂️
@@sivuyiledumalisile6308 it's not faster on a straight line we did it in real life, the m8 fails 1/2 launch but it succeeds the launch it's equal with the gt63s. But the gt63s is wayyy better to drive
My younger brother has a 2022 M8 coupe, I’ve driven it and I still prefer my 2020 GT63s over his M8. I don’t know if it’s faster or not but it’s nowhere near as fun to drive or as beast of a car as mine.
Finally actual pedals on the steering wheel for the Alpina, hate the previous "buttons".
Great review!
That AMG GT 63 S is a beast of a car , more performance oriented than the Alpina . The Alpina more GT like smooth , subtle . Both are great cars , but the AMG I'd take .More in your face , brutal , than the Alpina .
More brutal than Alpina ?. Alpina is faster than this crap Mercedes and better quality
@@henzo7087 “crap” Mercedes lol.
Great reviews!! Excellent video, sound and editing work
One thing I’m missing is a virtual tour of the cabins. There was reference to the Alpina putting the AMG GT to shame in this area, but we never got to experience it. Would love to see the details, since this is where your journey starts and ends.
If the AMG GT is fully optioned out it would still put the BMW to shame
@@njw1840 Mercedes is crap quality compare to BMW Alpina no chance for Mercedes
To me, it is amazing idea, but I feel like they are trying to kill off the CLS. I wish they could offer a CLS63S too
The previous gen CLS63 was & still is my absolute favourite. I can’t believe they made a 53 rather than a 63 just for the GT63s I think it would’ve been a better option for people who can’t afford the GT63s
@@unknownawas29 I agree. The price tag is mighty
I think CLS has a much stronger name and looks than the route they went with this AMG GT sedan which is based on the E class as well, not the actual AMG GT coupe like they'd have you think
I just want Alpina to make a B12 with the V12 from the M760 on the current 7 series. That should be a good going away for the current gen 7 series.
Like this guy, nice change from hoodie and jeans.
The AMG looks badass in black.
That AMG is gorgeous both inside and outside
Alpina b8 100%
Great video
Alpina for me . What a stunning car. Benz looks great as well but Alpina is just special .
Both cars look good 👍
@jayemmoncars recently published an interesting take on this Merc as well. Worth the watch imho.
I'll take the AMG please!!!!!
Impressive review 👏
I would've gone for the alpina if I was over 50 years old. I'd go for the AMG now..
Mercedes using cup 2 tires from factory. Alpina all day
Weird how manufacturers cheap out on paddles (minus the Italians) when it's one of the main touchpoints on modern auto cars
Nice video guys 💪🏻 AMG for me 😎
Savage money for either of them. I'd take a used E63 wagon and a new Cayman GTS 4.0 for that money
What if you introduced the Bentley Continental gt v8 in this comparison, would you change your mind?
I'd literally prefer m6 gran coupe over this b8 looks beautiful but boring inside but the AMG just looks worth every penny 👌and the interior is just 🔥
Whats with the audio volume on this video? One minute im turning it up because its whisper quiet, then its loud when hes back in the car....
Mercedes Benz all day!🔥🔥
The GT 63S is great but its hard to see where the value is in paying double the cost of a C63 S Coupe. Same engine in a lower but still very potent state of tune, same cabin for all intents and purposes , seats, gearbox, controls , steering wheel. 4WD and 2 extra doors for £75k ! At this price surely Aston, Ferrari and Bentley offer a more special alternative
You forgot to mention the E34 B10 BiTurbo.
The AMG is amazing but there's way too much going on, the Alpina is just confident by itself....stances beautifully and has a timeless non confusing design !
Is that B8 finished in Alpina Blue, or BMW dark blue? Hard to tell
It's Alpina Blue (for an extra £3175)
@@autocar oh just? Pfff😖
@@shiraznasrullah4838 a pittance!!
Alpina allllll day thank you
Great review. Is it just me or is that 8 series ugly as sin? My gf, who has no interest in such things, said "but it looks awful!" I am inclined to agree, especially when compared to that e38 or e24.
Finally a real bmw guy that is honest the alpina b8 and the m8 grand coupe are ugly compared to amg gt63s. But i hope in future bmw will come back with some real designs
It should be with m8 competition gc
Is a cohesive hole, like a hole with some post concrete in it? Yeah? A cohesive hole with a consolidated, homologated fence post, is it not like that? No? Ahh whole not hole, I see, whole with a "wh". That makes better sense I suppose, although that does remind me that I do need to fix my fence. Nice cars, by the way.
This should've been a brabus 900 vs any alpina
Hard compare, the Brabus is much more expensive and has 300 more horsepower
AMG for me, easy choice
The B8 is three times as pretty
AMG ANYDAY!!!
Nothing without BMW.💙💙💙
No panamera?
The quality of this review is right back up there. Respect to Autocar once more. Alpine sounds a little disappointing. AMG it is then.
If you see my tuned f80 m3 in your rear view, be afraid, be very afraid..
Alpina b8 all fay
would just go for a normal m8 gran coupe
Not that I'm ever going to have 150k to spend on a car I think I would rather spend it on an Aston Martin vanquish or ferrari GTC4 Lusso.
Or Rapide
man looks like off season Nico rosberg
Alpina by a country mile.
M8 Gran Coupe is the choice for me
Everything is 'feel'. Just STATE it. Claim it.
Alpina any day
Where is the Porsche Panamera GTS or Audi RS7
gle53 or gt43？ What would you get？
SUV vs 4 door coupe? silly comparison since both have completely different applications and you would usually pick depending on your personal needs rather than which car you prefer
Gt43
Alpina !!!
Even with Alpina treatment - the BMW is half upscale comparing to that Merc. It just doesn't convince and look as luxurious.
I agree 100%
I really wanted to see the drag race
Merc like driving over a washboard on a road? steering not the last word?
I think it's great that these cars exist. But let's be honest, if you want a luxury 600hp GT car, just get a Bentley Flying Spur and do it properly.
Who's this guy?
Posh boy
alpina is the wrong car to compare against this Mercedes. You should compared it against the BMW M8 wich is simular in road manners. Alpina isnt a B road carver, but a comfortable super fast cruiser, wich is able to corner as well.
Amg for me all day
Alpina all day long. The AMG is good for stuff few would want to do in a car that big. These aren’t cars you’d take out of the garage on Sundays - they are for EVERY DAY. For the track and specific Sunday blast you’d have a Cateram or Boxster or Lotus or A110 or M2 or Civic TypeR etc. That’s why the B8 wins. Besides - the AMG should be competing against the M5 CS - and would be destroyed!
💯 agreed
bmw fanboy are the most stupid animals on planet, go like a man and drive the amg gt63s and u'll see. Stop fantasizing on bmw a bit and try to open your eyes. It took bmw 4 tries to get the m5 to beat amg. M5 normal than m5 revised than m5 comp than m5 cs.. all in 2 years. If you wanna compare real stuff, amg just released the new amg gt73 with 850hp, go compare that with ur crap m5cs
@@ouimongate5961 hey, Mercedes fanboy. I’ve had Focus RS, Golf GTI an RS4 (boring but probably fastest car I’ve had), E30 325i, C63 and M5 (E39 - the most fun ever). I needed big boot and diesel so sold the C63 (was good tbh, but all engine and little finesse) and got 335d with stage 2 etc. Have you seen the M5 CS reviews? It shouldn’t even be in the same ballpark as the GT63. The GT73 will be 25% more expensive than the similar price and performance M5 CS and GT63s. It will be more powerful, faster on a track and in straight line. So is the Panamera hybrid, but it’s not the best Panamera.
@@ouimongate5961 Crap is Mercedes with they're shitty engines. M5 CP beats GT 63 S on AutoBild test in Germany and its faster than GT 63S a lot of videos to proof
Should be comparing to BRABUS.
B8 for comfort. M8 for dynamics. Gt63s can stand on the side
The M8 has nothing on the GT63s
@@sivuyiledumalisile6308 bro. I’ve got the amg gt63s. Got it ever since it was released in the uk. Saved over £30,000 on the list price too as it was a cancelled order and not many people wanted the exact spec in frozen blue with the beige leather but it was perfect for me. Then the m8 competition came out, in my eyes it’s a different beast. More comfy, more dynamic, more fun, a lot quicker, interior feels more special even though I have a rare option in the form of the designo nappa leather. I do prefer the M8, but I would still never part with my gt 4 door. The savings I made, by the grace of god, on that car are too good to justify getting rid of it just yet
The m8 is alot quicker than the gt63s?? What you smoking😂😂 the gt63s hits 60 in 3.2secs🤡
@@andyp9040 I did 3.1 in mine. A lot of people do it in 3.1 consistently, even 3.0. Meanwhile the m8 does it in 2.8 consistently, even 2.7. The Rev range holds power a lot stronger too so after 80mph it’ll keep pulling lengths on the gt63s
@@santana9537 I honestly disagree with you.. The gt 4 door is just as quick as the bimmer M8 grand coup and it look way better.. the bimmer is boring in interior design and exterior design. Bimmer needs to step their game up.. the Benz is light years ahead in design and character. Let's not mention sound and curb appeal. The new M8 is just the new version of the old M6. They need to differentiate their cars better.. especially when it comes to thier interior design
BMW for the win.. BMWer
Finally a good video from auto car, they should get Dan Prosser and Jethro Bovingdon we’re tired of that other boring grey haired sod😭
Clerk
All this and no drag race
BMW wins this hands down!
Why not buy a sofa if you're interested mostly in stitching.
First☝️
First
Mereces Benz the best or nothing¡¡ 👌
Lol
I love cars and have had a good bunch of them. And no doubt these are both very accomplished from an engineering point of view. But still, I can't help but think that this is very Nokia circa 2009. The planet is boiling, is this really what the market want (except for the diligent drug dealers dealers)?
Both are booooring, m3/ c63 for the win
The B8 is beautiful from any angle. The Benz only from the front, the rest is just weirdly unbalanced and ugly.
Boring review…at least some spirited driving…or drag race. 🤷♂️
Just for the ugly rear spoiler On the GT the alpina is much Beter looking and exclusive, the alpina will be beter on michelin then pirelli on u.k. road.
Vegan extremists will get triggered by the leather
AMG all the way
Alpine? A car from the ‘70’s fizzy pop manufacturer? Shouldn’t it be painted khaki lemon- green?
Alpina, not Alpine the French company. They've been tuning BMWs for a long long while now.
Wasting time on two cars that are nice...but seem so outdated.