BMW Alpina B7

…………………..Dynamic….Graceful….& Potent

The BMW Alpina B7 second generation brings even more drama with its refresh. BMW’s fastest and most exclusive vehicle gets more power and efficiency while its signature look has been refined tastefully. The 2014 BMW Alpina B7 will debut August 2013 at The Pebble Beach Concours d’elegance.

This ultra luxurious high performance saloon will be available in four variants; the rear drive standard wheelbase starts at $127,600 & with X-Drive $130,000, the rear drive long wheelbase starts at $131,500 with X-Drive $161,500. The Alpina B7 is an exquisitely hand finished automobile that will be built at an extremely restricted pace usually four to five hundred units.

X-Drive is a patent BMW all-wheel drive system which exploits the technical potential of BMW’s iDrive and its sophisticated distribution of power. It intuitively distributes torque between the front and rear axles within milliseconds. This feature enhances agility while cornering offering driving dynamics with unusually spirited handling and performance.

At first glance, the car’s sophisticated elegance is absolutely breath-taking. Alpina, The  Premiere German automobile tuner, has been specializing in BMW modification for 50 years. Alpina became an official partner with BMW in 2010.

The Alpina genius has transformed the incomparable 7-Series to new heights in supremacy. Performance wrapped in decadent luxury is the only way to preface this aesthetic collage of engineering technology. The Alpina B7’s beautiful body is manufactured in the BMW 7 Series plant in Dingolfing, Germany. It is then shipped to the Alpina facility in Buchloe, Germany for the conversion, which increases the production schedule by two weeks.

The flawless Crystalline blue finish and the signature 21” Alpina Classic wheels grab the eye first. The turbine-like three-dimensional curves gracefully guide each of the 20 spokes from the center of the wheel to the milled rim. The look of the wheels constantly changes with speed and rotation……the light hitting the spokes viewed from different angles is spectacular!

The sleek hand-crafted body is not only beautiful but functional. Alpina took BMW’s best and improved upon it. The Alpina aerodynamic kit includes front and rear spoilers that reduce lift by 30% in the front and 57% in the rear. The front end air intake system not only enhances the appearance but improves stability and performance at high speeds.

The lower front bumper valance provides air requirements for the transmission and engine oil coolers. It also has vents to cool the front brakes. New kidney grilles with updated Xenon Adaptive headlamps, LED front fog lamps, and at the rear, tail lamps upgraded to reflect the car’s character. This is the “Ultimate Conversion for the Ultimate Driving Machine!”

All information, entertainment, and comfort features are controlled via the patent BMW iDrive System. The system consists of a 10.25” high resolution display with direct entry buttons for radio, CD, telephone, and navigational features. Smartphone integration is available. The hard drive offers an additional 12 GB of storage allowing the occupants the ability to plug in their USB, MP3, or CD to import their favorite music. It also offers via satellite connection to BMW Assist Services. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is included for four years at no cost. Trained specialists are available at the touch of a button for roadside assistance. This system also includes Bluetooth technology with voice recognition.

The optional BMW Driver Assistance Program which partners with Google enables the B7 driver to save time by pre-routing his destination from the internet then downloading it directly to his BMW. “My Information” allows the upload of business listings, street addresses, and phone numbers to the B7 for navigational assistance. Other optional features include the use of Google Search engines to locate desired destinations in specific. Additional options in the BMW Driver Assistance package include; automatic high beams, side & top camera views, and lane departure with blind spot warning systems.

The BMW Alpina B7 is powered by a 4.4 litre Twin Power Turbocharged V8 engine mated to an eight speed transmission. This high precision Direct Injected power plant produces 540 bhp delivering 730 NM of torque. This is 40 horses over the 2013 model with 221 lb-ft more torque. It can accelerate from 0-62 in 4.3 seconds. Alpina modified the BMW N63 all-alloy V8 to accept the increase in power. High performance pistons with reinforced cylinder heads were added to withstand the additional stress from the higher compression ratio.

The engine also gets a 35% larger intercooler fitted to lower intake temperatures. Alpina uses an additional radiator to lower coolant temperatures with external coolers for engine and transmission oil. The electric fan was upgraded to deliver more air through the new high performance components. Larger turbochargers are fitted to move more oxygen through the engine to keep up with the higher power output. Engine management software has been modified to re-calibrate stability and traction control to more formidable settings.

Alpina’s “Switch-tronic” gearbox uses tiny leather clad buttons behind the steering wheel to allow manually shifting the transmission. The drive train is strengthened from the drive shaft to the differential. Its suspension utilizes BMW’s Dynamic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization. Alpina tweaked it by increasing the spring rates by 20% and lowering ride height by ½ inch.

From the driver’s seat, the driver may select from three suspension ride settings: Comfort, Normal, and Sport. The Sport-plus mode changes the Dynamic Stability Control system into a more aggressive Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) setting. This allows more slip at the drive wheels which reduces interference of the traction control system.

The blue Alpina illuminated door sill invites one into a rare atmosphere. The luxurious cabin is augmented with the use of hand stitched Lavalina leather. The steering wheel is made from the same leather with blue-green stitching. There are 2 selections of wood veneer. The Alpina Piano Black or the more exotic Myrtle Burl veneer (trade name Pepperwood Laurel) is available.

Myrtle Burl wood is one of the most expensive types of wood. It comes from the Pacific coast of the United States from Oregon to Southern California. The headlining is finished in Alcantara. The optional Luxury Rear Seating package that is available on long wheelbase versions only, adds power adjustable and ventilated seats with massage function.

…..even carpeted foot rests

The BMW Alpina B7 rolls with a 10 speaker high def surround sound system with digital 7 channel amplifier cranking out 205 watts of power. It has a 6 disc CD changer. The configurations are limitless as to audio choices. An optional multi media adapter plugs into iPhone, iPod, and other MP3 Players.You can also record and store your own music on the 12GB hard drive. Optional Sirius Satellite Radio is also available. A Bang & Olufsen sound system will be tailored to your vehicle upon request. An Alpina B7 is bespoke by nature with each being a unique expression of automotive art.

The Alpina B7 uses a stainless steel exhaust system with two polished double tail pipes

B7’s Adaptive Cruise Control has a new function known as the ‘Front Collision Warning System’ that alerts the driver immediately with a symbol appearing on the dash and in the optional heads up display. If the situation escalates, the symbol flashes with an audible sound. The next procedure, the B7 does is to prepare to engage the braking system. This ‘Front Collision Warning System’ is active even when the cruise control isn’t being used. BMW has always placed safety paramount in their philosophy.

Night vision with pedestrian detection is another optional feature for the Alpina B7. It can scan 900 feet ahead of the vehicle using infrared technology from the front camera, displays potential hazards on the navigation monitor so alternate plans can be made in advance. It is a sophisticated system that also distinguishes between animals and humans, and at closer range, the system identifies their position and the direction they are moving. A symbol on the dash is displayed and if equipped, on the heads up display.

The BMW Alpina B7 Bi Turbo is the benchmark of luxurious performance, chassis technology, and exquisite hand finishing. Its appearance….remains unmistakable with its stunning Alpina blue metallic finish and it signature 21” 20 spoke wheels. This is an extremely rare combination to drive a car that is this luxurious with its capacious proportions, yet it has the heart and soul of a sports car….handling with the ease of a much smaller vehicle. This is another reason that makes BMW the “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

…BMW is the quintessential luxury sports car