Autoblog Reviews 2011 BMW Alpina B7

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Autoblog Reviews 2011 BMW Alpina B7

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The folks at Autoblog had the opportunity to get their hands on the BMW Alpina B7, and they apparently had a blast. Not only would they let it run against an E92 M3 to find out the M3 "can't lose the Alpina B7 on one long road to nowhere deep in the reaches of an unincorporated area of the California coastal mountains." They also refer to the Alpina B7 as "an amazing machine. Defying all logic, the sedan seems to shed pounds as the g-forces increase – the uncanny feedback from the driver's seat is of a sports car wrapped in a lightweight paper-mâché 7 Series disguise. In a word: fun."

Just like the Alpina B5, Alpina makes use of BMW's N63 4.4l V8 engine found in the 750i and tweaks it heavily using -- among other things -- larger turbo chargers, high-performance pistons, reinforced cylinder heads, and an increased intercooler. All this makes for 100hp and 66 lb-ft more, or 500hp and 516 lb-ft in total. Mated with the 6-speed Alpina Switchtronic, Autoblog clocked 4.32 seconds for the classic 0-60 mph sprint.

Interested to get one now? Just decide whether to go with the RWD or xDrive version, whether to have it in short-wheelbase or long-wheelbase, pick your options, and be prepared to pay a base price of $122,000. Here's a piece of advice though: I'm fairly sure there are roads out there the Alpina B7 wouldn't be able to hang with the E92 M3 on, so better not base your purchase on this very point of Autoblog's review.

Visit Autoblog.com for the full review and more photos.

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[bavarian19]

Saw one of these in white yesterday.... Love it!

[TumGTS]

i'm always a big fan of ALPINA.- "the best compromise between comfort and performance"

love it with new black alpina rims and its unique green color though.

[GOLFFRR]

def a fan of Alpina's. Always a little steep though in price IMO

[Diver]

Only $122k plus, plus... The 5 or an M3 might be more my style.

[positiveions]

who said elephant can't dance. Awesome package: bigger turbos, high performance pistons, etc... that can bring some serious power.

[muskamatt]

for 12k more I would take a fully warrantied 760Li with 535hp

[Kermitson]

Great job ! ... as always I love those rims

[M3 vert]

What's so special about this new version that the old generation alpina b7 didn't have?

Same hp and torque numbers

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by muskamatt

for 12k more I would take a fully warrantied 760Li with 535hp

This is warrantied, and it's really a different car. The 760Li sure has more power, but I'm pretty sure it would have less performance. And I only say pretty sure since I haven't driven either of them.

[muskamatt]

oh. didn't know it was warrantied. Now that i think about it i remember seeing the alpinas on the older 7 series in showrooms so i guess that makes sense. Thank you for clearing up.

[car_fan]

I would like to see how an M Sport 7 with a Dinan reflash would perform against the B7. As far as the the new TT5.5 S63 is concerned, a tuned B7 (I know its sacrilegious to mod an Alpina) should be be able to deal with the highest performing AMG S
Class variant. Dinan quotes basically the same horespower 573 vs. 563 (S63) and torque 664 ft./lbs for both.

For now there are people on this board with B7's and reflashed F01/F02's line em up!