The flagship 7 Series sedan remains conspicuously absent from BMW's illustrious M line-up, however, the BMW ALPINA B7 has been designed to fill in the obvious void of an M7 sedan -- and it does an excellent job at filling said shoes.
In much of Europe, Burkard Bovensiepen, founder of the ALPINA Office Machine Works, holds as much significance as Carroll Shelby does in American automotive circles. Starting his tuning business in a family owned factory once devoted to producing typewriters, Bovensiepen's love affair with BMW began with the modification of a BMW 1500 engine with a Weber dual-carburetor setup. The German automaker was so impressed by ALPINA's craftsmanship that they decided to endorse ALPINA-prepped BMW 1500s by extending their factory warranty.
Since that time, in the 1960s, the independent tuner and manufacturer of BMWs, ALPINA, has maintained a warm relationship for which BMW's culture has forever been affected. Specifically, ALPINA's racing efforts in the '70s led BMW to create the 3.0 CSL, which was the first milestone for their M division. While improving the performance of BMWs is one of ALPINA's attributes, the overall goal of the tuner company is to build well-rounded, street-legal cruisers that incorporate driving comfort and superior build quality.
As this is only the the second time an ALPINA-branded BMW has been sold in North American (the first of which was a modified BMW Z8 called the Roadster V8), the ALPINA B7 crankshaft and intake trumpet emblem rides on a super saloon prepared to make a fresh, global impression. Find out what we think below…
Luxury ride
At first glance, ALPINA's subtle makeover does little to change the cheered and jeered 7 Series styling originating from the BMW factory. The redesigned front air dam and a mildly concealed rear-deck spoiler, with some added jazz to the large sedan's design, serves formidably to improve high-speed handling. Spinning within a 20-spoke design, the B7's 21-inch wheels are replicas to the competition rims that rode on ALPINA's BMW 3.0 CSL touring cars. The ALPINA emblems that are emblazoned on each jewelry-quality alloy wheel deliver a shrewd acknowledgment of the tuner's touch -- reminding you that technically, ALPINA is a vehicle brand, not just a tuner company. For striking expression with the B7, the sole exterior color choice, ALPINA Blue Metallic, gleams in a way unlike any other BMW 7 Series.Lifting the German saloon's bonnet and the soul of the ALPINA B7 sings to a very special tune indeed. With dual Weber carburetors serving as the ALPINA B7's ace card for peak engine power over 40 years ago, the standard for the 21st century BMW tuning is a bit more "supercharged." Producing 11.6 psi of pressure, the ALPINA B7 boasts 500 horsepower with a brutish 516 lb-ft of torque. Under the expertise of ALPINA engineers, this belt-driven unit spins seamlessly, even at high speeds, without the typical supercharge buzz. BMW's Valvetronic is fully utilized with the supercharger, working up to the engine's top-end grunt of 186 mph after a cautiously smooth launch. Looking at the general engine, BMW aficionados will quickly take note that the B7's N62 powerplant produces this impressive power with a 4.4-liter V8 instead of the current 750i's 4.8 liters. For greater strength and optimal performance, ALPINA has selectively heat treated crucial engine parts, like the engine block and cylinder head.
The holder of the BMW's Comfort Access keyless remote possesses ultimate passage to the enchanted B7 saloon gateway. Spectacular comfort inside the ALPINA B7 remains with premium 7 Series appointments found within. The 750i's optional equipment list (heated rear seats, electronically power privacy rear blinds and Alcantara headliner) are promoted to standard features on the B7. Also bumped into this elitist's BMW sedan, the standard Logic7 stereo system is upgraded to 13 speakers. Along with the in-dash, six-disc CD changer, broader-ranging audio palates can also be indulged in thanks to a lifetime subscription to SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Capturing a natural feel for the cabin environment, the door panels, center console and the dashboard are amply decorated with the highest-quality "burl-maple" wood. For the crowning achievement, look no further than the B7's throne: the driver's seat. While both front seats are heated and sculpted in ventilated Nasca leather, the 20-way electrically adjustable driver seat sits behind a leather-wrapped steering wheel with special stitching and an instrument cluster displaying a 200 mph speedometer -- truly the best seat in the house.
Sitting in extreme comfort, the six-speed ZF automatic gearbox works in harmony with ALPINA's own Switch-Tronic shifting buttons. Make use of the mid-rev torque, and note that not even the tricky throttle will stop an acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. Better yet, once up to speed, the ALPINA B7 has been freed of any electronic speed limiters, allowing that 186 mph top speed to be within a driver's grasp. Drawing little away from the limousine-type ride, the B7's suspension tuning is calibrated in cooperation with Active Roll Stabilization for a racier, more responsive ride. So, while it may be a larger saloon ride, the ALPINA B7 is nothing short of a spectacularly comfortable, race-ready sedan.
The verdict
Elevating itself beyond a fully loaded BMW 7 Series, the ALPINA B7 presents itself as a sensational way to spoil your most exotic automotive tastes. With BMW reporting only 611 models currently being sold in North America through special order (560 in the United States and 51 in Canada, to be exact), the ALPINA B7 is Beluga caviar among luxury cars.Luxury score: 44/50
Practical ride
Four doors usually speaks volumes for the commuting freedoms of a vehicle, and the ALPINA B7's generous scale bodes well for both passenger and cargo space. One area of note is the BMW 7 Series' Texas-sized, 18-cubic-foot trunk; left unchanged following the ALPINA conversion. While seating comfortably caters to the driver and five passengers, it's unlikely to see this space fully exploited for chauffeured travels or family motoring (you're even less likely to see a B7 in front of an ice cream shop). However, the option is there should you choose to exploit it.Moving 4,476 pounds of weight with 500 horsepower may not be a terribly difficult ordeal, so expecting reasonable fuel mileage from the ALPINA B7 would be a larger-than-life achievement. Gaining engine efficiency with the 4.4 liter engine with the supercharger instead of through added cylinders and/or increased displacement proves especially kind for the fuel economy on this vehicle. A little above vehicle class averages, the B7's 14 city and 21 highway combines for an average 16 mpg. Though failing to evade the elusive gas guzzler tax levied against our favorite foreign performance cars, the ALPINA B7's fuel economy does better than the smaller, lighter BMW M5 sedan.
Arriving with a base price of $115,775 in the United States (not including the gas guzzler tax), the ALPINA B7 modifications make a strong case to justify the $40,000 bump over the BMW 750i vehicle sticker. However, you'll truly notice some of these expensive enhancements when they require replacing. In particular, the low-profile tires on which the ALPINA rides are Michelin Pilot 2 tires, which cost $500 alone -- and that's not including the Classic ALPINA rims that retail for $4,200 a piece, should you need to replace them too. Fortunately, a special safety net has been offered within the standard BMW warranty for all ALPINA vehicle owners; it consists of a four year coverage or 50,000 miles for basic service, guaranteed.
The verdict
Because the ALPINA B7 has such a ginormous amount of cargo and passenger space, and can be referred to has a saloon not just a sedan, the 7 Series seems to beg for regular, daily driver acceptance. And due to it's demure, unchanged exterior, some B7 drivers may not be fully aware of the beastly capabilities of the car. Despite the lofty price tag and hefty repair bill possibilities, the ALPINA B7 garners a high score because of it's fully functional design.Practical Score: 41/50
and the total is...
In cases where a well-off motorist fears advertising their status with a Bentley or Rolls-Royce, the ALPINA B7 saloon offers the finer things without attracting the large crowds bitterly looking on at your riches. Very exclusive and unmistakably handsome, the ALPINA name is expected to vanish from North America again after this year, with only an estimated 1,000 B7s sold. Masterful gains in performance, comfort and engineering has redefined the BMW 7 Series with the B7. The ALPINA truly is something unique. It's more than an M car and it gloriously signifies the essence of a genuine BMW driving machine.85/100
Resources:http://autos.aol.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.bmwusa.com/
http://www.caranddriver.com/
http://www.cars.com/
http://www.edmunds.com/
http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/
www.alpina-automobiles.com
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