However, the greatest acknowledgment I can pay to this massive powertrain is to note that at a typical UK cruising speed of 65-75mph it will return 53mpg – covering 650 miles on its 59-litre tank. This is a 168 mph car, and let’s not forget that it is capable of hitting 62 mph from rest in less than 5.0 seconds. With faster German autobahn cruising speeds of 120 to 140 mph, it’s reasonable to imagine it’ll still do 35 mpg and give you 400 miles between recharges; At speeds where a gasoline-equivalent performance sedan might only get 20 mpg, an EV—pretty much any EV, drains its battery within 80 miles.
The D4 S’s suspension and steering tuning make it ideally comfortable and safe – and also silent – on fast starts, but also balanced and rewarding during the most intense moments. You can only get a hint of your weight and your trip schedule on cross-country routes with larger vertical inputs. But in terms of steering feedback, cornering sharpness, and sheer handling balance, Alpina’s specific options in wheel geometry, anti-roll bar specification, and tire mounting are a perfect match. The D4 S has convincing tactile feedback and tactile cornering balance that elevates it significantly beyond the reach of any BMW M-sport for driver appeal.
If there’s any justice to the way electrification is taking its ax through the luxury model ranks in Europe for years to come, cars like this will be the last ones standing. There won’t be, of course (and who knows what Alpina’s business will look like five years from now?). But the D4 S is very much worth resisting.
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