Problem: BMW will not make a M7. Despite making the M5 Wagon and the X6 M, the boys from Bavaria want no part of the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, S65 AMG, Audi S8, (soon) Jaguar XJR, Porsche Panamera Turbo or Bentley Flying Spur Speed market. Odd, yes, especially from the company that discovered a new segment between the 5 Series wagon and the X5. Anyhow, no M7 for you.
Solution: the Alpina B7, as its an M7 in everything but name. Some of you might want to argue the point that no way is the Alpina B7 good enough to wear a vaunted M badge. To which we say... you might have a point. So think of it as the 750CSI. Either way, this here new Alpina B7 is going to be a pretty worthy competitor to all them big, fancy super sedans up above. Here's why.
From the outside the changes include front and rear fascias and spoilers that not only set the B7 apart from lesser 7 Series but are functional. The front spoiler provides 30% more downforce while the rear tacks on an additional 15%. Not only that, but the front spoiler provides specific cooling to new transmission and oil coolers. Also impossible to miss are the 20-spoke, 21-inch Alpina wheels. Inside nearly every surface gets covered with hand-stitched "Lavalina" leather (whatever that might be) and Alpina badges. The areas not swathed in Lavalina get treated with Alcantara. There's also a heated steering wheel and illuminated blue Aplina door sills.
Of course, what's underneath matters most. Specifically the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gets pumped up to 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque (as opposed to the 750i's 400 hp and 450 pounds of twist). The press release notes that all that torque is, "available across an unusually broad engine range, from 3,000 to 4,750 rpm," which is either wool-over-the-eyes PR hype, or a typo. We'll go with typo, as the regular strength 750i makes its 450 pound-feet from 1,800 to 4,500 rpm. Either way, the Alpina B7 can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. And now, the kicker: the short wheelbase B7 costs $122,875 and the extended wheelbase B7 will set you back $126,775. Both prices are before the $875 destination fee. Press release after the jump.
[Source: BMW]
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – February 1, 2010... BMW announced the pricing today for the 2011 BMW ALPINA B7 sedan, which will join BMW's North American product range as the most dynamic 7 Series model. As the second generation of ALPINA automobiles based on the BMW 7 Series to be offered in the US, the 2011 BMW ALPINA B7 sedan will retail for $122,875 (standard wheelbase) and $126,775 (extended wheelbase). Both prices include $875 Destination & Handling. The first BMW ALPINA B7 was offered as a limited edition for the 2007 and 2008 model years. Newly interpreted and based on the current BMW 7 Series platform, the B7 will again set the benchmark in terms of performance, refinement, and technology.
Yielding exquisite levels of power and torque from the twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8, and in conjunction with the electronically-adjustable suspension with Active Roll Stabilization, the new B7 promises to offer a spectrum of driving experiences so broad as to be unheard of in this class of automobiles. The evolution of the traditional 20-spoke 21" ALPINA Classic wheels underlines the fresh design language found throughout the B7 and imparts to it a distinctive appearance and powerful stance.
Both standard- and long-wheelbase models will be offered. The BMW ALPINA B7 will make its North American debut at the Chicago International Auto Show and will go on sale at authorized BMW Centers in Spring of 2010.
The B7 sedan is equipped with BMW's twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter, all-aluminum, High Precision Direct Injection V-8 engine which has been enhanced by ALPINA and is capable of producing 500 (373kW) horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700Nm) of torque. This rear-wheel drive performance/luxury Sedan achieves 0-60 mph in 4.5 sec. With maximum torque available across an unusually broad engine range, from 3,000 to 4,750 rpm, the B7 accelerates effortlessly from virtually any speed.
The B7 sedan is finished with ALPINA aerodynamic developments, including front and rear spoilers which not only enhance the appearance but also improve stability and performance at high speeds. In true "form-follows-function" fashion, the ALPINA front integrates the fresh-air requirements of the transmission and engine oil coolers, which are separated out of the main cooler module for improved efficiency. The spoilers reduce lift at the front by 30% and rear by15%. The exhaust system's two double tailpipes are seamlessly integrated into the rear bumper. The newest evolution of the traditional 20-spoke ALPINA Classic wheels gives the B7 a distinctive appearance and powerful stance.
The interior of the B7 sedan features ALPINA blue illuminated door sill trims, Switchtronic heated steering wheel in hand-stitched Lavalina leather, Alcantara headliner, Heads Up display, and the Black-Panel LCD screen instrument cluster branded with ALPINA. Hand-stitched Lavalina leather also covers the dashboard, door panels, center console, multi-contour front seats with heating and cooling, and heated rear seats.
The full complement of BMW 7 Series exterior colors remains available, in addition to the signature ALPINA Blue metallic paint.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 90 MINI passenger car dealers, and 31 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
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