Developed at a cost of US$3.2 million, the B10 Bi-Turbo was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1989.

To build each B10 Bi-Turbo powerplant, Alpina dismantled a BMW M30 engine, replaced the stock pistons with forged Mahle units, installed two Garrett T25 water-cooled turbochargers, and added a Bosch variable boost control with range of 0.4–0.8 bar, adjustable from the driver's seat.

Bilstein shock absorbers were used at the front and automatic-load levelling units by Fichtel & Sachs were used at the rear.

Michelin MXX tyres were standard as was BMW's Automatic Stability Control (ASC).

In the September 1991 issue of Road & Track, Paul Frère wrote: "For me this is the car … I think this is the best 4-door in the world.