The B4 Is Alpina's Gentlemanly Middle Finger To The Mighty M4

The upcoming BMW M4 is an impressive-looking beast, but it's not exactly subtle. It has a massive power bulge on the bonnet, giant gills in the front wings, and an angry-looking front bumper. If you want something a little more reserved, try this understated Alpina B4 on for size.

It gets the famous Alpina chin spoiler and multispoke alloys, a small rear spoiler and an optional set of decals on the side, but other than that, it all looks pretty much like a standard 4-series. Like the M4, the 435i-based coupe is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3-litre straight six. With a meaty output of 404bhp and 443lb/ft, it's only a smidge behind the M4's power figure of 424bhp (we haven't received an exact torque figure for the M4 as of yet).

60mph is reached in just 4.2 seconds, and with an unrestricted top speed it'll do over 190mph if you can find an empty enough bit of autobahn. The big difference is the gearbox. While the M4 will be getting a manual, the B4 has an 8-speed auto, reinforcing the B4's more laid-back approach to going fast.

It'll go on sale in mid 2014 with an expected price tag of at least £60k. If you're feeling impatient and don't want to wait for either the B4 or M4, the 335i saloon-based B3 is available now with the same turbocharged six under the bonnet.