The long wait is over. Seen here is the final look of the Alpina B7 that's based on the new 2009 BMW 7 Series. Speculative pictures and renderings have been doing the rounds since December and this is the culmination of all that activity. Geneva 2009 will finally reveal the car in the metal. The Bavarian sports a 4.4-litre V8 engine which has been supercharged by Alpina in the best way they know how. In the end it forks out 507bhp (378kW) and a stump-pulling 700Nm of torque. Zero to 100km/h is stomped out in 4.7 seconds and the B7 goes all the way to 280km/h (174 mph). Alpina is famous for calibrating its speedos 100% so you can be assured that when the needle reads 280km/h that is the true speed of the car. Typical Alpina trim can be expected inside and outside as partly seen from the well known signature Alpina multispoke rims and rear boot spoiler. Technical upgrades should include stronger brakes and a sportier chassis. Next to the B7 Alpina will showcase the B6 GT3 racer with its 4.4-litre V8 also producing 507bhp (378kW) and 725Nm of torque. The B6 GT3 is Alpina's first foray into the world of racing in 20 years.
Alpina has unveiled the new BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo, the fourth generation of an Alpina spec BMW 7-Series. With this car, Alpina is aiming for a perfect balance of "exclusiveness, athleticism and comfort." It looks like they have executed their plan perfectly. The B7's athleticism begins with its 4.4-liter V8 engine, that produces 507 hp with a monstrous maximum of 700 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 280 km/h means the car is both quick and fast. High performance pistons were put in place to deal with the 1.0 bar maximum turbo boost. Two new large-vane turbochargers have been mounted with an optimized intercooler system. In the end, the vehicle receives an impressive 115hp output per liter. The driver controls this power through a ZF six-speed automatic sport transmission, which uses Alpina's Switch-Tronic system to adapt to the driving situation. Comfort comes in many forms on the B7, from the unique springs that reduce ride height, to the leather accoutrements inside. The car makes due with 21-inch wheels, and a suspension system that is as responsive, but softer, than a race suspension. Conventional tires have also been used in place of run-flats. The electronic suspension has been tuned and adjusted for each of its three settings (Comfort, Normal, and Sport). The luxury Myrtle Burl wood trim or optional Piano Lacquer interior give two distinct and distinguished looks to the car. The illuminated doors and Lavalina leather steering wheel also adds an element of exclusivity. So too does the price tag. A new BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo will easily top the B7 sedan's $115,000 sticker price. You can read the full equipment offerings and specs in the press release below. Press Release B7 BITURBO With the new BMW ALPINA B7 Bi-Turbo, ALPINA presents its fourth generation of automobiles based on the BMW 7 Series. Prominent predecessors include the BMW ALPINA B12 6.0 and B7, which raised the bar in the high-performance luxury saloon segment. Newly interpreted and in every way state-of-the-art, the B7 Bi-Turbo unites exclusiveness, athleticism and comfort in perfect harmony. Yielding exquisite levels of torque and power from the charged 4.4 litre V8, and in conjunction with the electronically-adjustable suspension with active roll stabilisation, the B7 Bi-Turbo promises to offer a spectrum of driving experiences so varied as to be unheard of in this class of automobiles. The evolution of the traditional 20-spoke 21" ALPINA CLASSIC wheels underline the fresh design language found throughout the B7 Bi-Turbo and impart it a distinctive appearance and powerful stance. Powertrain The Bi-Turbo model designation that now graces this flagship BMW ALPINA saloon hints at even more powerful and torque-laden performance over its predecessor, while simultaneously improving upon fuel economy. The fully-aluminium, 4395 cm3 V8 aggregate yields 507 peak horsepower (373 kW) at a moderate 5500rpm, with a maximum torque of 700 Nm available between 3000-4750rpm. Two especially for the ALPINA powerplant constructed turbochargers with generously-dimensioned turbine vanes are responsible for the forced induction. Thorough exploitation of the engine's potential was achieved by means of optimising the indirect intercooler (air-water/water-air) with its short intake paths and flow-optimised intercooler tracts. High-performance pistons are at work in the cylinders, carefully developed to harmonise with a compression of 9.2:1 and a maximum turbo boost of 1.0 bar. The result is a formidable specific output of 115hp (85kW) per litre, with a maximum average compression of 20.1 bar, a benchmark even amongst established sportscars. One look at the torque and power diagram is enough to highlight that the B7 Bi-Turbo will accelerate fiercely and effortlessly from very low revs. Peak torque is available from an unusually broad range of rpm's, ranging from 3,000 to 4,750 rpm. This wide powerband coupled with the exquisitely geared ZF six-speed automatic sport transmission pampers the occupants with remarkably high levels of smooth drivetrain comfort in every driving situation. The ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC, which has been programmed to shift exceptionally smooth and comfortable in Automatic mode, offers different shift characteristics for every taste and situation thanks to the additional Sport and Manual modes. Driving the B7 Bi-Turbo becomes an altogether different experience when using the buttons found on the back of the steering wheel for manually selecting the gears of the automatic transmission. This ensures shifts take place within a few hundred milliseconds and with only minimal interruption to the transmission of power, favourably comparable even to the best twin-clutch transmissions. As a result, the B7 Bi-Turbo sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, vehemently pressing on to an electronically-limited 280 km/h top speed. Chassis & Suspension Long gone are the days when a purely "hard and sporty" ride was a sought-after attribute of suspension set-ups. Striving for truly neutral handling continues to be the intelligent way forward, yielding the best of what is technologically feasible. In pursuit of this goal, marginally shorter and uniquely calibrated springs reduce front and rear ride height by 15mm and 10mm respectively. Together with the 21" wheel and tyre combination the suspension is at once sensitive to inputs and direct in its feel, yet free from the harshness of a purely sports-oriented suspension, imparting this large saloon with an agility usually only associated with much smaller sports saloons. The light-weight 21" wheels, with their new interpretation of the ALPINA CLASSIC wheel design, are shod with an especially selected staggered MICHELIN tyre set-up: 245/35 R21 front and 285/30 R21 rear. Foregoing Run-Flat technology, conventional tyres are used to ensure a supple, comfortable finesse that is rare today. ALPINA have integrated state-of-the-art electronic suspension technologies, skilfully and subtly adjusting them to the demanding requirements of our customers. As part of the B7 Bi-Turbo standard equipment, the electronic suspension system with Dynamic Damping Control and Dynamic Drive (active roll stabilisation) enable the driver to select from three distinct suspension set-ups: Comfort, Normal and Sport. The B7 Bi-Turbo offers the driver unheard-of versatility, delivering on long-distance comfort just as readily as on back-road pace, always with a maximum of enjoyment and safety. Design At once dynamic, graceful and potent - the silhouette of the B7 Bi-Turbo is significantly influenced by the evolutionary new design of the 21" ALPINA CLASSIC wheels. A turbine-like three-dimensional curve guides each of the 20 spokes from the centre of the wheel to the rim, at which point they have a milled surface. Depending on the angle of the viewer, the rotational speed of the wheels and the light, the appearance of these classic wheels is constantly changing. Of course they continue to possess the refined tyre air valves, safely and attractively hidden away behind the lockable wheel covers. In true "form-follows-function" fashion, the typical 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 design of the front and rear spoiler follows clearly aerodynamically-oriented interests, reducing lift at the front and rear by 30% and 15% respectively. Left and right, the exhaust system's two double tailpipes are seamlessly integrated into the rear valance and are witness to the B7 Bi-Turbo's potency. When climbing into the B7 Bi-Turbo, one immediately takes note of the ALPINA door sill trims which are finely illuminated in blue. The SWITCH-TRONIC steering wheel is gloved and hand-stitched in the finest, most comfortable LAVALINA leather. In the driver's line of sight, red pointers over a field of blue dials grace the instrument cluster, where a Black-Panel LCD screen is responsible for communicating driver-important information. Exclusive interior luxury wood trim in the form of Myrtle Burl, a knotted burl of the Laurel only found on the Pacific Coast of the United States, provides a warm and traditional ambience. Optional ALPINA Piano Lacquer interior trim with its silver diagonal rhombs, offers a modern and just as exclusive alternative. Technical Data B7 BITURBO Saloon SWITCH-TRONIC Dimensions Length (mm) 5087 Width (mm) 1902 Height, unladen (mm) 1484 Wheelbase (mm) 3070 Track front (mm) 1621 Track rear (mm) 1628 Luggage capacity DIN (l) 500 Fuel tank capacity (l) approx. 82 Weight Weight, unladen (kg) 2040 Permissible gross weight (kg) 2660 Permitted payload (kg) 550 Max axle load, front (kg) 1300 Max axle load, rear (kg) 1420 Max trailer load limit, braked (kg) 2100 Max trailer load limit, unbraked (kg) 750 Engine Cylinders V8 90° Displacement (cc) 4395 Bore (mm) 88.3 Stroke (mm) 89.0 Compression ratio 1) 9.2 Max output (kW/hp) 373 / 507 at rpm (1/min) 5500 Max torque (Nm/rpm) 700 / 3000 Engine management BOSCH Motronic ME 9.2.1 Fuel type Super plus Emissions classification Euro 5 Transmission Gearbox 6-speed Automatic ZF 6HP26 SWITCH-TRONIC 1st 4.17 2nd 2.34 3rd 1.52 4th 1.14 5th 0.87 6th 0.69 Final drive ratio 3,46 Performance Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 4.7 Top speed (km/h) 280 Fuel consumption * Urban (l/100 km) 17.7 Extra urban (l/100 km) 8.6 Combined (l/100 km) 11.9 CO² emissions (g/km) 286 Wheels and tyres Standard wheels and tyres ALPINA CLASSIC 21" front 8.5 x 21 245/35 R21 rear 10 x 21 285/30 R21 * Information on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions according to 1999/94/EG: Further information on specific fuel consumption and specific CO2 emissions of new passenger cars is given in "Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch und die CO2-Emissionen neuer Personenkraftwagen which can be obtained free of charge at all points of sale and from the 'DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Helmut-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen'. Equipment B7 BITURBO Saloon SWITCH-TRONIC Standard Equipment Air conditioning, automatic Airbags - front, side and head airbags, for driver and passenger Alarm system with remote control and engine immobiliser Armrest/centre console - rear, with storage compartment and cup holder CD changer Central locking switch Central locking with crash sensor Child seat ISOFIX attachments, rear Climate comfort laminated windscreen Control display - 6.5" colour display screen in combination with iDrive controller on centre console Cruise control Digital speedometer readout via Info Display in instrument cluster Door sill finishers ALPINA Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) incl. Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) Electric windows, with open / close tip control Electronic immobiliser Exhaust system ALPINA, stainless steel with polished tailpipes Extended lighting Exterior mirrors - folding, automatically dimming First aid kit and warning triangle Floor mats ALPINA Fog lights incl. heated windscreen washer jets Front spoiler ALPINA Glass sunroof Headlight washer system Heat absorbing thermal glass Hi-Fi loudspeaker system - BMW Business Instrument cluster ALPINA Interior light system with 'soft on/soft off' function Interior trim: ALPINA luxury wood Myrtle Luggage compartment opening via remote key Mobility System Navigation system Professional incl. Bluetooth telephone preparation with telematics On-Board Computer with extended functions Paintwork: metallic paintwork in standard BMW colours Park Distance Control (PDC), front and rear Personal Profile Production plaque, silver plated Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation Rear spoiler ALPINA Rear-view mirror, automatically dimming Remote key for central locking, auto rechargeable Revcounter with oil temperature display Seat heating, front Smoker's package, deletion Sport Automatic Transmission (6-speed) with ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC Sport seats, driver and front passenger, incl. electric seat adjustment with driver memory Sport suspension ALPINA Steering column with electric reach and rake adjustment Steering wheel: SWITCH-TRONIC sport leather steering wheel with Multi-function Sunblind - rear windscreen, electric adjustment Tyre Puncture Warning System (TPWS) Upholstery: Pearl leather with ALPINA Design - rhombs in green/blue in seats and door inserts Voice Control Wheels: ALPINA CLASSIC 21" Xenon headlights Standard equipment shown represents the specifications for the German market only. According to the specific requirements of other markets, alterations in models, standard and optional equipment may occur. For precise information, please contact the BMW ALPINA importer in your country.
