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      08-24-2012, 09:27 AM   #1
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Cool Laguna Seca: Alpina B7 Makes U.S. Debut. Alpina History Lesson and Our Track Review

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Laguna Seca: Alpina B7 Makes U.S. Debut. Alpina History Lesson and Our Track Review
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The 2013 Alpina B7, based on the refreshed 2013 7 Series, made its U.S. debut this week at the BMW press launch in Laguna Seca Raceway (along with the 2013 M5 and M6 coupe). This is the closest thing we'll get to an M7 or M Performance 7 Series (for now) and it was a beast on the track!

Our Track Review

It's a wholly physics defying experience accelerating a nearly 5000 pound car from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, handling corners at speed with little roll, and diving into and coming out of the Laguna Seca corkscrew as if it was a medium sized sedan. This was our experience with refreshed B7 sedan at Laguna Seca. Although I've never driven a train, I'd say this car fulfills the cliche of 'pulling like a train.' As Alpinas are tuned for low end torque, the B7 with its 538lb-ft torque pulled from the pits and out of the corners as strongly as the 2013 M5 and M6, an amazing feat for such a large and heavy car.

With its size and heft, the B7 cannot match the handling of the M5/M6, nor does anyone expect it to, but it was nontheless lively for a car in this segment. Prior to our laps in the B7, we took a ride with Matt Russell of BMWNA, who managed to get the rear end loose for a short drift around turn 1. As with the other experiences described above, this was yet another sensation one does not expect to ever experience in a BMW 7 series.

The B7 shifted slickly with the ZF 8 speed automatic matched to shift buttons on the steering wheel backside, but around Laguna Seca, the older longer geared 6 speed auto may have been a better match. Mostly a moot point however, as most B7 owners will likely never be on a track with this hopped up 7 Series. Judging by our drive, that's a shame as they will be miss out on experiencing the unexpected and incredible limits of their B7.


Tech Specs

The new B7 features 40 additional horsepower (now rated 540 hp) and 22 lb-ft more torque (up to 538 from 516 lb-ft) than the pre-refresh B7, thanks to the addition of BMW’s Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and a new ALPINA 8-speed high performance transmission. Top speed is now 194 mph (drag-limited, 193 mph with xDrive), up from the previous 175 mph. Acceleration drops into the low-mid-4-second range for all variants (4.3-4.4 seconds).

The 2013 U.S. model year pricing is as follows (includes $895 Destination and Handling):

740i - $74,195
740Li - $78,195
740Li xDrive - $81,195
Activehybrid 7 - $84,895
750i - $87,195
750Li - $90,895
750Li xDrive - $93,895
760Li - $140,200

Alpina B7 - $128,495
Alpina B7 SWB with xDrive - $131,495
Alpina B7 LWB - $132,395
Alpna B7 LWB with xDrive - $135,395

For our official information/media on the 2013 Alpina B7, see Announcing the New 2013 BMW Alpina B7 (LCI Facelift)


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2013 Alpina B7





VIDEOS

Alpina BMW Model Design, Production and Manufacturing Process




Alpina History Lesson



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