Autoblog

Two rare Alpina BMWs given the Petrolicious treatment

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW, Luxury

Alpina is getting more and more ink because of because of that rolling cannonade known as the B7 and its closer ties with BMW. The company's tuning business dates to 1962 when Burkard Bovensiepen began fiddling with Weber carburetors, then his company began racing in 1968 and was eventually certified as an automaker in 1983.

Two of its rarer specimens from those early years have gotten a glance from the folks at Petrolicious: the E24 B10 and E24 B7S. Based on the BMW 6 Series, the Alpina versions made one of the most special coupes from the Eighties even more so. According to the video, there were only 44 B10s made, and the turbocharged, 333-horsepower B7S - this was in a luxury coupe in 1982, mind you - saw only 33 examples produced.

You won't be sorry to find out more about them - and see how they run - in the Petrolicious video below.

Continue reading Two rare Alpina BMWs given the Petrolicious treatment

Two rare Alpina BMWs given the Petrolicious treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2013 BMW Alpina B7

Matt Davis — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, First Drives, Luxury

Alpina Makes Biggest Bimmer Act A Lot Like An M3

For the time being, BMW has left it up to close collaborator Alpina to create a turbocharged V8-powered rival for the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and Audi S8. We've been lucky enough to take a few spirited drives in Alpinafied BMWs on the no-limit Autobahns around the company's headquarters in Buchloe, Germany, over the years, and each experience has been solidly hair-raising.

Other than creating what may be the country's ultimate everyday Autobahn missiles, Alpina does wonders for the ride and handling of the BMW models they touch, along with providing impressively reworked transmission interfaces and improved overall responsiveness. In the case of this B7, Alpina turns the 7 Series into the best big Bimmer going.

In the niche of thundering bi-turbo V8 luxury sedans, only this 532-horsepower Alpina B7, 512-hp Audi S8 and the 536-hp Mercedes S63 AMG (563 horses, that is, with the $7,300 AMG Performance Package) really reach this particular level. The $139,625 Porsche Panamera Turbo and the $176,275 Turbo S are both fine rides, but they aren't traditional sedans, and their unusual aesthetics don't always appeal to the buttoned-down execs that buy traditional premium saloons.

It's not surprising that buying either the B7 Bimmer or the S63 Benz will likely set you back some $140,000 to $145,000 once they are spec'd exactly the way you'd want 'em (the SWB-only Audi is a bit cheaper, at about $124k happily optioned). Base price for the Alpina B7 short wheelbase is $127,600 or $131,500 for the long wheelbase model, with a further $3,000 premium for xDrive. Following these, as a curveball, there's the 503-hp Jaguar XJ/XJL Supersport at around $126,000. The US comes closest with its Chrysler 300 SRT8 at 465 hp and a price of $60,000 tops in your driveway. It's like two separate worlds.

Continue reading 2013 BMW Alpina B7

2013 BMW Alpina B7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The List #0035: Drive The German Autobahn

John Neff — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, BMW, The List

We told you last time that Jessi and Patrick still had some items to check off The List after picking up a car from BMW via European delivery. They had to make their way from BMW's headquarters in Munich to a certain race track, and when in Germany, there's only one road that's worth taking to get where you're going: the Autobahn.

Our intrepid hosts have already achieved the feat of driving 200 miles per hour, but in this latest of The List, they're looking to challenge that number on Germany's most famous public road. To do it they needed the help of Alpina and its incredible B7 sedan. Large, powerful and stable, the B7 is our hosts' best chance to tame the Autobahn.

Watch the latest episode of The List below, and stay tuned in the coming weeks for the last episode from our trip to Germany that you won't want to miss.

Have an RSS feed? Click here to add The List.

Click here to learn more about our hosts, Jessi and Patrick.

Continue reading The List #0035: Drive The German Autobahn

The List #0035: Drive The German Autobahn originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW M750i and 728i may be launching next March

George Kennedy — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

Fresh off its mid-cycle update, the BMW 7 Series is once again the center of rumors, this time in the context of the new swath of M-branded vehicles that BMW is set to unleash upon the world. The rumor was dropped by German blog BimmerToday, and suggests that an M750i would join the ranks of the M550d, X5 M50d, and M135i. This seems rather plausible, as BMW has long been hesitant to produce an out-and-out M7 performance saloon.

If the rumors are to be believed, the M-variant 7 Series would have a version of the turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 currently in the 750i, but tuned to 450 horsepower. Power would be sent to either the rear wheels or all corners via BMW's xDrive. The question remains, though, what would happen to the Alpina B7 if this car were to come to market? All the added power and handling seems to fall right on top of the B7's piece of the 7 Series pie. Its future would remain to be seen.

Also in the rumor-mongering was word that there could be an entry-level 728i, employing BMW's N20B20 turbocharged 2.0-liter mill, albeit with the help of an electric motor. Such a vehicle would be slotted below the current 740i and positioned to take on small-displacement hybrid flagships from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Remember to take these reports with perhaps a few grains of salt; but its interesting to consider the possibility of BMW expanding the 7 Series lineup in both directions.

BMW M750i and 728i may be launching next March originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW announces pricing for updated 2013 7 Series

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

The latest new bit of news surrounding the 2013 BMW 7 Series is a price tag: $74,195 gets you inside the large doors of the 740i, and that includes $895 destination (as do all prices that follow). The 740Li xDrive is a new addition slotted at the top of the 740 range and will run $81,195. Next up on the entry-price ladder is the ActiveHybrid 7 with a smaller but more more potent powertrain, 2.5 miles of EV range and better fuel economy, ringing up $84,895 at the till.

There's a $6,700 spread in prices for the model with the 445-horsepower, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, with the 750i starting things off at $87,195 and the 750Li xDrive running $93,895. It's quite a leap from there to the next plateau: the short-wheelbase Alpina B7 clocks in at $128,495, the long-wheelbase B7 requires $132,395. Adding xDrive to either of those models adds $3,000. But it's the in-house 760Li that tops the charts at $140,200.

The 2013 models have been breathed on everywhere, with design, powertrain, technology and efficiency tweaks providing comprehensive improvement. Have a look below for the full price list.

Continue reading BMW announces pricing for updated 2013 7 Series

BMW announces pricing for updated 2013 7 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW reveals Alpina B7 upgrades for 2013

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

We've already read about the new features that will be available on the refreshed 2013 BMW 7 Series, but now, the German automaker has spilled the beans about its delicious Alpina B7, as well.

As you'd expect, the B7's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 has been massaged for the new model year (including the addition of start/stop), and drivers will now be able to enjoy 540 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque - increases of 40 and 22, respectively. All of this runs through a new eight-speed automatic transmission and can be sent to the ground via standard rear-wheel drive or through BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. BMW says that depending on drive configuration and wheelbase length, the sprint to 60 miles per hour can be achieved in either 4.3 or 4.4 seconds.

The slight visual enhancement to the 2013 7 Series is indeed noticeable here on the Alpina B7, with the larger kidney grille up front flanked by redesigned headlamps. Revised taillamps are found out back, and of course, the B7 is offered in its signature Alpina Blue Metallic rounded off with the car's signature 21-inch, 20-spoke wheels at all four corners.

BMW will officially debut the 2013 Alpina B7 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August. Short-wheelbase models will be priced at $127,600 (rear-wheel drive) and $130,600 (xDrive), with long-wheelbase B7s retailing for $131,500 and $134,500, respectively. Scroll down for the full details in BMW's press blast.

Continue reading BMW reveals Alpina B7 upgrades for 2013

BMW reveals Alpina B7 upgrades for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: 2011 BMW Alpina B7

Michael Harley — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, New Car Reviews, Luxury

Alpina Delivers Its Best Impression Of An M7

2011 BMW Alpina B7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Try as it might, the BMW M3 Coupe can't lose the Alpina B7. The two of us are an unlikely automotive pair, playing cat-and-mouse on one long road to nowhere deep in the reaches of an unincorporated area of the California coastal mountains. The air is cool and the canyons are mostly quiet. Only the sound of two wailing V8s breaks the silence.

While the M3 dives into the corners with confidence, the B7 launches out with ferocious conviction. The M3 pulls energetically on the short straights, but the B7 puts its power down with resolve and steadily reels the smaller coupe back in. Even mid-corner, when the M3 is in perfect step, the B7 clenches a slightly wider line but still holds its ground.

We've been at this game for more than an hour, and neither of us is willing to raise a white flag. Only the illumination of the low fuel light in the smaller coupe has us calling it quits. Want to learn what it takes to harass an M3 owner?

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 BMW Alpina B7: Review

Continue reading Review: 2011 BMW Alpina B7

Review: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo - Full details and images

Zach Bowman — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

2011 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Alpina has finally graced the world with a handful of images and all of the gritty details about the all-new 2011 B5 Bi-Turbo after its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The company has managed to bless the BMW 5 Series with a mythic 507 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. How, you ask? The B5 makes use of the same twin-turbo, all aluminum V8 found in the car's big brother, the B7. That means that there's a full 4.4-liters of displacement sucking down 1 bar of pressure for the two turbos under the hood. Sounds like a party.

The eight-pot is bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission that Alpina co-developed with the gear-swapping gurus at ZF. If the mood strikes you, the driver can click through the gears via buttons mounted on the back side of the steering wheel, though given the massive amount of work Alpina put into the transmission, odds are you're better off letting the car do the work for you.

There's also a completely reworked suspension on board that includes slightly shorter springs and unique control arms that help eek a little more camber out of the front wheels. Combined with the electronically adjustable suspension, the company claims to provide an altogether sharper driving experience. Speaking of wheels, Alpina has equipped the B5 Bi-Turbo with a set of the company's epic 20-inch rollers. Check out the gallery of high-res images below and then click past the jump for the granddaddy of a press blast.

Gallery: Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

[Source: Alpina]

Continue reading 2011 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo - Full details and images

2011 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo - Full details and images originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Drive: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 breaks the luxo-barge mold

Rex Roy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, First Drives, Luxury

2011 BMW Alpina B7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Alpina is as familiar to German enthusiasts as Shelby, Hurst, Saleen and Yenko are to American gearheads. And like its American counterparts, Alpina has made a business out of taking the best vehicles from one marque and making them substantially better than anything rolling off the assembly line.

The relationship between BMW and Alpina started in 1962 when a German enthusiast named Burkard Bovenseipen realized his BMW 1500 had plenty of untapped potential. Bovenseipen developed a dual carburetor kit for the 1500's four-cylinder, and as the carbs flew off the shelves, he realized there was a serious market for BMW-based performance parts. Mr. B formed ALPINA Burkard Bovenseipen KG in 1964 and in the decades since, the company has become known simply as Alpina.

But while the name has changed, its mission remains the same, and its line of upgrades have grown considerably since its inception. Bovenseipen's team continues to recognize the potential in almost every new BMW product, and the small but competent company, now managed by Bovenseipen's son Andreas (his staff calls him Andy), delivers better, less compromised, higher-performance versions of BMW production cars.

In Europe, Alpina offers variants of the 3 Series, 5 Series and 6 Series, dubbed the B3, B5, and B6, respectively. However, production constraints (and some concerns about M cannibalization, we're sure) prevents sales of these hotted-up Bimmers in the States. That's a crime, because the Alpina B7 - the only Alpina available in the U.S. - is easily the best 7 Series we've driven.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 BMW Alpina B7

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 breaks the luxo-barge mold

First Drive: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 breaks the luxo-barge mold originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New York 2010: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive is deeply impressive

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:12:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, New York Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive - Click above for high-res image gallery

We dig super sedans. You get 94 percent of the performance of a sports car (or there abouts) plus the ability to take a few friends along for the hair-raising ride. Also, cops don't seem to scrutinize big snazzy sleepers as much as they do bright yellow scissor-doored whatchamacall'em-ardos. It should come as no shock then that when we first heard about the new Alpina B7, we were pretty excited. When we then subsequently learned that an all-wheel drive version of BMW's sportiest big sedan was coming to the New York Auto Show, well, our excitement grew.

Then we saw the car in the flesh.

Let's just say we're now triple excited. A few pertinent stats, if we may. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in a host of BMWs has been significantly improved to 500 horsepower (up by 100 hp over stock) and 516 pound-feet of torque (up by 66 pound-feet). The B7 is also more aerodynamic than your garden variety 7 Series, comes with zillion-spoke wheels (fine, twenty) and can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. With the Alpina B7 xDrive, you can now toss AWD into that already frothy mix.

But the above stats aren't the crazy parts. It's the details that impress the most. For example, all four of the heavy-duty half shafts come out of the 7 Series High Security. The 60 to 0 mph braking distance is identical to a Porsche Turbo. That last bit is not an April Fools' joke, although it's somewhat mitigated by Alpina's saying, "that's cold braking distance." While not a stat per say, the AWD system is mechanically identical to other BMW xDrive systems, though Alpina has written their own software system, presumably for the better.

One last thing that's actually a little to complicated to explain: take a look at the center of the B7's wheel. You'll see that once you've slid the heraldry over, there's a keyhole. Now, if you zoom out, you'll notice no valve stems anywhere on the wheel. In other words, your tire pressure's locked in and can be adjusted to the tenth of a PSI. Pretty cool, no?

High res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: New York 2010: Alpina B7 xDrive

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: BMW/Alpina]

Continue reading New York 2010: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive is deeply impressive

New York 2010: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive is deeply impressive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tokyo 2009: Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo LWB is longer, and therefore better

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo Long Wheelbase - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo long wheelbase revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show today doesn't add anything to the less well-endowed Alpina B7 we saw at Geneva except length, but isn't that enough? The double-turbo'd 4.4-liter V8 brings 507 romping horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque - all of which is enough to get the white whale to sixty in 4.8 seconds.

Alpina's custom 21-inchers support an interior package touched up with the tuner's logo throughout. Our only cause for pause: the much larger steering wheel; the smaller diameter unit in the regular BMW helps to make the execu-barge a hoot to throw around a track. See it all for yourself in the gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Alpina B7 Long Wheelbase

Tokyo 2009: Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo LWB is longer, and therefore better originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva 2009: An M7 by any other name - 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, BMW

Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo

All indications are that BMW won't, in the end, be producing an M7 based on its new-generation F01 7 Series. That would've been cool, but before the Mercedes S63 AMG and Audi S8 can breathe a sigh of relief, Bavaria's pseudo-factory partner Alpina has something to say about it, and this is what it spake: the B7 Bi-Turbo - a BMW 7 Series with an attitude. At its heart is a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, which produces 507 horsepower thanks to larger-vane turbos and a new intercooler, driving through a retuned Switch-Tronic ZF six-speed automatic transmission, and a recalibrated suspension designed to optimize the balance between supercar control and luxury sedan comfort. 4.7 seconds is all it takes to hustle to 60 mph, while custom 21-inch rims riding on conventional rubber replace the stock run-flats and a bespoke leather and wood interior round out the package. You can read more about in the press release after the jump and view all its angles in the gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo

Continue reading Geneva 2009: An M7 by any other name - 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo

Geneva 2009: An M7 by any other name - 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva Leakage: 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo sneaks out

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, BMW

Click above for a high-res image of the 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo

The 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo will join the B6 GT3 race car on the stand in Geneva, and thanks to AutoZeitung, we've got a singular photo and some preliminary specs on the uber-sedan from Alpina.

The B7 Bi-Turbo is essentially the M7 BMW forgot to build, packing a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V8 putting out 507 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Alpina claims the B7 can run to 60 in 4.7 seconds and on to an electronically-limited 173 mph. We'll have more details from the Geneva Motor Show next week, but expect a host of upgrades to join the engine mods, including uprated brakes, suspension components and a reworked interior to compliment the B7's new body kit.

[Source: AutoZeitung]

Geneva Leakage: 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo sneaks out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alpina teases with sketch of next B7 sedan

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Sedan, BMW, Specialty

This is a sketch of the coming Alpina B7, to be based on the new BMW 750i. Outside, there won't be much happening -- nor necessary -- beyond Alpina's new front lip, rear wing and trademark wheels. Inside, Alpina might have some minor cluster mods in store, but we wouldn't expect too much change there, either. As with the 2007 B7 and its 500 hp and 4.8-second 0-60 time, we figure the engine and suspension will be heavily redressed on this next version. Alpina could opt for the centrifugal supercharger routine again, but whatever they do will surely put healthy distance between the B7 and the 400 hp of the donor car's 4.4-liter V8. The B7 might also get BMW's rumored 8-speed transmission. It will definitely get a stratospheric price tag.

[Source: Next Autos]

Alpina teases with sketch of next B7 sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW finally bringing Alpina B7 to Chicago

John Neff — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, BMW

click above image for a high-resolution gallery of images

Better late than never, we always say. The BMW Alpina B7 was actually announced in a press release dated 2/16/2006, but it's taken a while to get the car ready for prime time. We reported on it back then, but we've learned that the super 7-Series will finally be unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show next week. To refresh your memory, the Alpina B7 sports a supercharged 4.4L V8 engine producing in excess of 500 horsepower. That's good enough to scoot the luxo barge to 60 mph in a mere 4.8 seconds. All that twist is certainly needed to turn those giant 21-inch Alpina wheels. A sport-tuned suspension and Alpina's B7 aero kit that includes a rear spoiler round out the package. The original press release states that about 200 Alpina B7 sedans will be produced for the U.S. market, although the quoted launch date of July 2006 has obviously been moved back a bit. We'll bring you more info and live pics of the Alpina B7 when we meet it in person next week at the Chicago Auto Show.

[Source: BMW]

Gallery: BMW Alpina B7

Continue reading BMW finally bringing Alpina B7 to Chicago

BMW finally bringing Alpina B7 to Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments