If there’s one thing we’ve noticed, it’s that European tuning firms are kicking more tail now than ever before by adopting not-so-exciting factory base models and transforming them into rubber-burning beasts. Similar to what Saleen represents to the Ford Mustang, Ferrari to Scuderia and Porsche to RUF, the big guns at BMW have teamed up with ALPINA, while Mercedes paired with AMG -- and each pairing has produced some serious performance variants on already-luxurious, high-performing vehicles.
The Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen brand applied its modification prowess to BMW’s flagship 7 Series and backed it with 43 years of tuner expertise. While AMG proved to be more than just a flashy badge to plaster on your rear bumper, and doctored Mercedes S63 sedan to performance perfection. Both of these luxury tuners have tailored some of the finest rides bred in Deutschland, but which will emerge with a tally closest to 100 when we look at two of their hottest creations, the BMW ALPINA B7 and the Mercedes S63 AMG?
BMW ALPINA B7
MSRP (base): $115,775Engine: 4.4-liter, 32 Valve DOHC, supercharged V8
Horsepower: 500 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 516 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
MPG: City: 14; Highway: 21
Performance - 17/20
The BMW ALPINA B7 is built upon a reconfigured, fourth generation 750i saloon and is exclusively available in rear-wheel drive (RWD). The active four-wheel independent suspension is supported by front and rear stabilizer bars, and high-resistant MacPherson struts. There is also an Active Roll Stabilization setup to keep the ride as smooth as silk. The 500 horsepower is available at 5,500 rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque is sourced from a 4.4-liter, centrifugal supercharged, valvetronic V8 engine. The turbo is capable of 11.6 psi, as the whole motor is mated to dual carburetors and composed of heat-treated components to curb the torrid effects of the amount of power generated. The gear sequential of the six-speed, ZF Tiptronic automatic transmission is reminiscent of the M Series. The BMW APLINA B7 also motors from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 186 mph.
Exterior design - 19/20
From the ALPINA badge that decorates the rear bumper to the aggressive front nose, the revisions to the stock 750i are comparatively inconspicuous, but that’s the genius of it as all additional accents integrate well with the 7 Series’ existing lines. The makeover sees a specially fitted nose (with a slight lip) and tail-end ensemble that'll make you weak in the knees, as well as an unobtrusive deck spoiler for bonus sports appeal. A high-gloss shadow trim lines the window framing and aides in definition and sophistication. Standard, are the 20-spoke ALPINA wheels hugged by low-profile rubber.
Interior design - 7/10Once inside, you'll immediately be greeted by the ventilated Nasca leather, Maplewood accents and ALPINA blue backlighting on the gauge cluster. BMW's handsome aesthetics were not lost in the performance upgrade as ALPINA made sure to maintain the German company's luxurious standards. Outfitted with 20-way adjustable front seats, you're sure to find optimal comfort in the ALPINA B7 no matter what your size or stature. And once you're seated, you'll wrap your eager little mitts around a three-spoke sport steering wheel that's complete with paddle shifters and draped in blue and green stitching in glove-soft Lavalina leather. And if you can tear your eyes away from the elegant dash and sumptuous steering you'll notice the ALPINA crest is even woven into the floor mats. Luxury and design aside, ALPINA didn't compromise the 7 Series' generous amounts of cargo space, maintaining the available 18 cubic-feet of room.
Sound system/goodies - 7/10
The novelty of luxury branding lies in its ability to project convenience. That being said, the ALPINA B7 uses convenience and practicality as its mantra. This larger four-door packs on the amenities with options like rear heated seats, Alcantra head liners and electric-powered privacy rear blinds for that Maybach, VIP effect. The keyless-entry feature comes standard as does the iDrive system, which can be controlled (read: maneuvered through blindly) with the turn-signal stalk. While the iDrive unit is progressive in its programming, it doesn’t perform without error and struggles with voice commands and digesting multiple inputs. Media is pumped out with a Logic 7 stereo package, which features an in-dash six-CD changer and an exorbitant 13 speakers. In addition to all of the aforementioned items, purchasing a BMW ALPINA B7 also reaps you a lifetime subscription to SIRIUS Satellite Radio.
Bang for your buck - 16/20
The BMW ALPINA B7, with all the extras boasts a sticker price of roughly $115, 000. Quite a large number, but when you consider a base model 2008 BMW 760Li sedan starts at just over $122,000, the ALPINA isn't a bad deal at all. Usually, a 7 Series saloon wouldn't feel sporty at all, but thanks to ALPINA that has all changed now. And we think the price is well worth the end result of a pleasurable drive.
Driving experience - 17/20The hefty B7, with its 4,476 pounds of curb weight may be a deterrent for some, but take note that Bimmer isn’t marketing this as a crossover saloon. It's simply a luxury car with a limousine-esque feel and an increased engine output for those who crave more ponies to work with the luxury. The performance radials, with dimensions measuring 245/35 in the front and 285/30 in the rear, round out the order for a much smoother ride, while the firmer calibration spring and shock absorbers with colossal disc brakes for immediate yielding power.
Overall score - 83/100
The B7 is an easy favorite, and one doesn’t have to look far to see why. By effortlessly merging exclusivity, performance and a certain ik weet niet het, BMW and ALPINA have created an automobile that will cater to those who want a comfortable, luxurious traveler as well as those who want a well-behaved weekend cruiser that can push the envelope when asked.
Mercedes S63 AMG
MSRP (base): $127,825Engine: 6.3-liter, 32 Valve, DOHC, hand-built V8
Horsepower: 518 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm
MPG: City: 11; Highway: 17
Performance - 18/20
The Mercedes S63 AMG sits on a 10th-generation S-Class cage and sends its power to the rear wheels. AMG resized the four-wheel, multi-link independent suspension and mated it to the patented anti-squat and anti-dive systems for ace maneuvering along with an Active Body Control function to ward off frame roll. The bored out engine bay is handcrafted and features a 6.3-liter, 32 valve, DOHC V8. The die-cast aluminum engine churns out 518 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and the torque level sits at 465 lb-ft at 5,200 rpm. AMG’s expertise spills over into the heavily tuned, seven cog, Speed Shift transmission with bolt-like gear changes. Unleashing your S63 will catapult you to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and hit a climax of 186 mph when left free of limitations.
Exterior design - 17/20The overseers of the three-pointed star corporation remained aggressive in the stenciling of the S63’s appearance. The remake is clever and doesn’t produce the unwanted gaudiness that tends to be the trend with other tuner efforts. The front fascia wields an AMG-designated air dam with mesh air intakes, as the kit wraps around to the side skirts and rear apron. Engine waste is expelled by a sport exhaust with quad polished tips. There's also laminated, infrared-reflecting glass that helps reduce UV rays, radiant heat and even noise penetration. Another welcome plus is the nano-particle paint -- resistant to the fine scratches that could be caused by car washes and environmental erosion. Without detracting too much from the standard Mercedes look, AMG managed to design the automobile so it's identifiable but not in your face.
Interior design - 8/10
With Alcantara leather dressing the side pillars, sun visors, and headliners for the seats this interior is plush to the max. Once you've planted your rear on the supple cowhide seats tricked out with a metal AMG badge, you can fully appreciate the ergonomic and luxurious design of the Mercedes S63 AMG. Even the steering wheel is dripping in leather and coupled with aluminum shifter paddles and other multi-function buttons for basic audio and voice controls. Hand-polished Burl Walnut wood trim decks out the dash and doors, and ambient fiber-optic lighting makes the atmosphere in the AMG's cabin as smooth and enjoyable as its ride. Perhaps the most modern touch in the Mercedes S63 AMG are the electronically simulated gauges. The tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, and odometer may look analog, but in actual fact they are just digital displays that trick the eye.
Sound system/goodies - 9/10
Leave it to Mercedes to nix minute, arbitrary details like accelerating and braking. Headlining the technological progression is the Distronic Plus radar cruise control system that utilizes a tracking system that "watches" the vehicle ahead and automatically adjusts your speed accordingly to keep you equadistance from that car at all times without you ever having to touch the gas or break pedals -- Michael Knight would be proud. Also featured is the Cockpit Management and Data configuration, affectionately dubbed COMAND. This outfitting integrates a 20 gigabyte harddrive, in-dash navigation system using GPS satellites and a map for the U.S., Canada and select regions of Hawaii. All of this, an AM/FM weather band radio, and 600-watt Harman Kardon LOGIC7 digital surround orchestra with 14 speakers can be accessed via the eight-inch color LCD monitor.
Bang for your buck - 15/20The 11 around-town miles per gallon and 17 cruise miles per gallon shook us a bit and proved further that the consumer shouldn’t be limited by a budget when considering the Mercedes S63 AMG. However, the S63 AMG is textbook luxury and at only a $15,000 bump over its competitor at $127,825, is well worth clipping those coupons.
Driving experience - 15/20
Seat time in the Mercedes S63 AMG is predominately robotized and eliminates any and all pilot error. As to be expected, no machine is flawless and the Distronic Plus does indeed have a few quirks. There is Driver Adaptive programming that manipulates shift points and actively caters them to the driver’s style, as well as selectable modes like Sport, Comfort and M, which allow for a broader range of vehicle characteristics and performance. Oh, and did we mention that the seats also offer back rubs without half the police hassle of your local massage parlor?
Overall score - 82/100
It's a fact that Mercedes aren't up there with the best of the performance vehicles. Like Lexus (before the IS-F, of course) and Volvo, they produce high-end luxury automobiles that are great to travel in and offer countless amenities, but still lack that certain oomph that BMW and Audi have honed so perfectly. What AMG has done for Mercedes is allow it to cater to a driver who wants class, sophistication with a touch of naughtiness on the side.
and the winner is…
On their own both Mercedes and BMW are class-act cars with easy-on-the-eyes designs and interiors that look better than most people's apartments. But, slap on a high-performance tuner badge like ALPINA or AMG and all the fixings that come with it and you've got yourself a machine that drives and looks like no other. But, thankfully, both ALPINA and AMG managed to soup-up their German counterparts without all the flash and glitz, which makes these cars all the more appealing. Now, it was definitely a tight match this time, but the BMW managed to squeak by thanks to it's savage, understated good looks.83/100
Resources:http://www.mbusa.com/
http://www.mercedes-amg.com/
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