Bovensiepen's 05 GT Is a 790-HP Wagon Hiding in Plain Sight

Just twelve months after debuting its M4-based Zagato coupe, Bovensiepen is back with a second creation, and this one might be even more intriguing. The 05 GT takes a BMW 5-Series Touring as its starting point, then subjects it to a comprehensive transformation that results in output figures worthy of a limited-run M5. Yet from a glance across a parking lot, you'd swear it was just another company-car wagon. ,

The resemblance to Alpina's design language isn't a coincidence. Bovensiepen was founded by the very same family that built Alpina from the ground up before BMW bought out the tuning house entirely in 2022. Now that family is charting its own course again, and for this new project they brought in renowned designer Frank Stephenson to craft a look that's subtle enough to fly under the radar while still offering enough visual cues to separate it from an off-the-shelf 5-Series. Think of it as a spiritual successor to the old Alpina B5, updated for a new era. ,

Visually, the changes are there if you know where to look. A reshaped front bumper and a mesh grille wearing a prominent Bovensiepen badge greet you up front, while 21-inch forged wheels with a 20-spoke design sit at each corner, wrapped in bespoke Pirelli rubber developed specifically for this car. Side skirts add a bit more aggression, and out back a roof-mounted spoiler, a revised bumper, and quad exhaust tips round out the transformation. It's a far more restrained take on the formula than what Alpina typically produces, though that understatement is arguably the whole point. ,

What really matters here is what's under the skin. Despite its low-key appearance, the 05 GT shares its heart with the M5: a plug-in hybrid, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that normally sends 718 hp and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) to all four wheels in stock M5 trim. Bovensiepen wasn't content leaving it there, however. A new intake system, a titanium Akrapovic exhaust, and reworked engine software push output to 790 hp and 811 lb-ft (1,100 Nm), figures that comfortably eclipse what BMW's own performance wagon offers. ,

That extra shove translates into serious numbers on paper. Bovensiepen claims a sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in under 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h), all while carrying a curb weight of 5,632 lbs (2,555 kg) — just 11 lbs (5 kg) heavier than a standard M5 Touring despite the added hardware. To keep everything in check, the suspension has been retuned with new Eibach springs, revised support bearings, and an added strut tower brace, ensuring the extra power doesn't overwhelm the chassis. ,

Inside, the cabin gets the bespoke treatment you'd expect at this price point. New Lavalina leather, sourced from select farms across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, covers the seats, while the steering wheel receives its own upgraded leather wrap. Buyers will also be able to choose from a wide range of leather colors to personalize their build. Bovensiepen says deliveries will kick off in the fourth quarter of this year, with pricing starting at €198,900 (roughly $230,700) — a steep sum, but one that buys a genuinely unique alternative in the high-performance wagon space, and a bit of healthy competition for Alpina itself.