What is it? It’s Alpina new range-topper, in effect a BMW 7-series with a bit of extra grunt, a lot more torque, a bespoke interior and some very natty 21-inch alloy wheels that are no longer wrapped around runflat tyres. This car is the first chance Alpina has had to tweak BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 motor, hardly a weakling in its own right. But the revamp is a comprehensive one, even extending to different metals used in the block. Alpina also remaps the ECU and adds a wide range of extra coolers - including four new ones behind the front valence alone - to keep the engine, intercoolers, hydraulics and transmission in check. There’s no word on the automatic gearbox’s specification, incidentally, but given the tweaked engine’s stats - 500bhp and 516lb ft - we’d be astonished if its internals were regular BMW kit. The B7 weighs over two tonnes, so the brakes are uprated too; the spec is one often fitted to BMW’s ultra-heavy armoured vehicles. What Alpina has really created is a rival for the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, a car that BMW itself seems reluctant to build. Performance is staggering, with 0-62mph in a claimed 4.7sec and a top speed - restricted, mind - of 174mph. Full Article: Alpina B7 4.4 V8 Switch-tronic 4dr Saloon - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk M
Brilliant car. Im little disappointed with only 500 hp. Alpina B5 S have 530 hp. so will there be a Alpina B7 S ?
I am fine even with "only" 500 hp guys. It's an Alpina after all, luxury is above performance. That's why there is M. Performance over luxury. AMG way
And I spotted the press car in Munich. Link: http://www.germancarzone.com/sightings/22158-spotted-today-thread-5-a-108.html
Thanks goodness for Alpina, because regular M is not doing a thing for the 7 series. Shameful! This car looks outstanding! From the front bumper to the rear exhaust the car looks like the perfect BMW. I am happy that Alphina stepped to the plate since M// was so scared. This car actually tempts me away from the S-class just a little bit...Then I remember that their is a S65 AMG ( ). I still wouldn't mind driving this car though. Really is a work of art. I'm loving that rear!
After seeing the X6 and X5 go M, BMW has no excuse in the world that it can hide behind. That whole philosphy was based of that weight BS. If Alpina can successfully produce a tuned 7 series, then M has no excuse. "Oh were not trying to "//M" all of our cars like AMG". Their so busy "not" trying to be Mercedes-Benz that their missing the point. Ultimate Driving Machine...uh huh. Well see.... Thanks to Alpina (not M) we have it!
