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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vs BMW Alpina B5

What's the difference?

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

$66,800 - $116,800

2023 price

BMW Alpina B5
BMW Alpina B5

2020 price

Summary

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
2020 BMW Alpina B5
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.4L
Fuel Type
-

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
-

10.9L/100km (combined)
Seating
-

5
Dislikes
  • Engine lacks drama expected from AMG
  • Ride feels unresolved
  • Big price jump over old model

  • Cleaning the wheels
  • Room and storage space could be better
  • Not the most engaging car to drive
2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Summary

Think of a Mercedes-AMG and the first words that spring to mind are probably not - understated, efficient and restrained. And yet those are probably the best words to describe the all-new C 43.

Of course, before we go any further it’s important to note that the C 43, even in its previous six-cylinder guise, was never meant to be as wild, raucous or powerful as the C63 flagship - that’s simply not its role in the AMG line-up.

But even so, this new model is a dive into fresh territory for the brand and puts a very different spin on the AMG sports sedan as we know it.

This is a four-cylinder model, complete with a Formula One-derived electric turbocharger, so it lacks the sound and fury you expect from something carrying the ‘AMG’ badge - but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad car, as we’ll explain.

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2020 BMW Alpina B5 Summary

The BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo is not actually a BMW. Not according to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, at least.

Nope, the modifications applied by tuning house Alpina to the 5 Series are deemed so significant that if you open the bonnet and look inside the engine bay, you'll see that the BMW VIN has been struck through twice and an Alpina vehicle number stamped underneath it. 

The B5 is not the first model to be recognised in this way, either; the German government has recognised Alpina as a seperate car manufacturer since 1983.

The B5 has other ‘B' siblings, too. There's the B3 S Bi-Turbo, which is based on the BMW 3 Series, the B4 S Bi-Turbo (the BMW 4 Series) and the B7 Bi-Turbo (I don't need to tell you what this is based on, right?) which I've reviewed, too.

So just what has Alpina done to this unsuspecting BMW 5 Series? Is it really worth the extra money? How does the B5 compare to an M5? Could it actually be superior? And did they really take the speed limiter off to let it warp-speed to beyond 300km/h?

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2020 BMW Alpina B5

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