1958 Alpine A 106 vs. 1958 BMW 501
To start off, both 1958 Alpine A 106 and 1958 BMW 501 were released in the same year (1958). Therefore the support and the availability on parts for both vehicles should be relatively similar. At 3,168 cc (8 cylinders), 1958 BMW 501 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1958 BMW 501 (138 HP @ 4800 RPM) has 89 more horse power than 1958 Alpine A 106. (49 HP @ 5000 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1958 BMW 501 should accelerate faster than 1958 Alpine A 106. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1958 BMW 501 weights approximately 850 kg more than 1958 Alpine A 106. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1958 BMW 501 (222 Nm @ 2500 RPM) has 165 more torque (in Nm) than 1958 Alpine A 106. (57 Nm @ 1800 RPM). This means 1958 BMW 501 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1958 Alpine A 106.
Compare all specifications:
| 1958 Alpine A 106 | 1958 BMW 501 | |
| Make | Alpine | BMW |
| Model | A 106 | 501 |
| Year Released | 1958 | 1958 |
| Engine Position | Rear | Front |
| Engine Size | 845 cc | 3168 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 valves | 2 valves |
| Horse Power | 49 HP | 138 HP |
| Engine RPM | 5000 RPM | 4800 RPM |
| Torque | 57 Nm | 222 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 1800 RPM | 2500 RPM |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Number of Seats | 2 seats | 4 seats |
| Vehicle Weight | 555 kg | 1405 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 3710 mm | 4740 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1460 mm | 1790 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1180 mm | 1540 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2110 mm | 2840 mm |
