First Drive: 2011 BMW ALPINA B7

Absolute Power Corrupts

Absolutely, this is one of the finest cars ALPINA has e'er fabricated. Based upon the new F01 7 Series sedan, ALPINA GmbH takes details into their own hands, producing a unique, focused and exclusive operation luxury sedan.

Why would I state performance in front of luxury in this clarification? Subsequently all, the B7 is based upon the ultra luxurious BMW seven Series. They say a flick is worth a thousand words; if you are notwithstanding wondering, mayhap you should have a wait at our photograph gallery.

ALPINA has "rebuilt" the 7 series to a very high standard of reliability and performance. The N63 twin-turbo 5-eight engine of the 750i has been developed with completely new electronics and a computer-assembled wiring loom. The turbos are enlarged and the exhaust organization has been enhanced and so as to reduce back pressure. The results of ALPINA"s work is manifest both on newspaper and on rails. 500 hp is achieved at five,500 rpm along with a staggering 516 lbs-ft of torque from three,000 to four,750 rpm. The engine produces 113.8 hp/liter on its way to a 6,550 rpm redline.

Harnessing all of this power to the ground are massive 21 inch, xx-spoke low-cal blend ALPINA wheels. Several decades ago, ALPINA discovered that the optimal blueprint compromise between weight and force is found in a 20 spoke wheel design. From that fourth dimension forrard ALPINA adopted these unique wheels beyond every vehicle they've produced.

Grade follows function in the ALPINA design ethos, and this tin can be seen from every angle of the B7. A rear deck-lid spoiler is subtle in style only highly functional, alterations to suspension set up are felt from the starting time corner, powerful brakes halt the big motorcar effortlessly and the powerful engine is nothing less than fear inspiring.

"ALPINA GmbH takes details into their ain hands…"

Blades of grass quiver by the roadside, pulsing to the exhaust note. Small pebbles plough and run for cover. Insects flee the scene. The mighty B7 is nearly to be unleashed. A heavy dose of throttle lights upwards the rear wheels, the turbocharged engine easily overcoming available traction – even on make clean, dry out pavement. Heading to the first corner, I feel unsure of the B7'southward cornering ability. Volition information technology plow in or button wide with understeer? Worry non – the B7 is scalpel abrupt, very neutral at the limit and eager to turn in. Once through the apex, the big four-doored sports car puts power down with a slight wiggle from the tail; reminding you that a cautious right foot is necessary in this powerful sedan. Straightening out from the last corner, speed builds effortlessly, smoothly, quickly!

"Driving one is momentous, an experience not chop-chop forgotten."

Simply the M3 saw faster speeds before braking for the adjacent corner of this track, the B7 has a special fashion of metamorphosing into a focused race automobile. I was left dumbfounded by the B7's treatment, this was easily ane of the most balanced cars I've ever driven; overall weight in this case is less important, it is the distribution of weight and break fix-up that determines how a car carves through corners.

The B7'southward five,864 lb Gross vehicle weight is compensated for by large, gluey tires, massive, powerful brakes and awe-inspiring horsepower. Is the B7 a weaponized rails machine like the M3? No. Does the B7 perform well beyond expectations of a large performance luxury sedan? Admittedly!

"Form follows part in the ALPINA design ethos…"

A magical moment occurred while being driven in the passenger seat past Andreas Bovensiepen, proprietor of ALPINA GmbH. 3 passengers piled in to enjoy a hot lap with one of racing'south nearly distinguished drivers, former champion of the 24 hours of Nurburgring and the High german Touring Car Championship dorsum in the '70s. We plant ourselves well-nigh nailed to the side bolsters of our seats through a long correct hander on the race track, the scenery flight by in a way few people have seen from a car's rear seat. Four grown adult men, helmets on, flying effectually a racetrack at obcene speeds beingness driven by 1 of racings finest drivers? Magic. The B7 is i of very few cars in the globe that could find itself in this moment.

"Iv grown adult men, helmets on, flying around a racetrack…"

The special allure of this car became clear: the B7 is an sectional car that accomplishes everything well through a concept coined past ALPINA as "AND technology." Powerful and restrained. Razor sharp on the track and comfortable on the roadway. Relaxed, poised and a real animal, craving to melt the asphalt. ALPINA cars requite off an aura of speed, refinement and class. Driving ane is momentous, an experience not quickly forgotten.

Interior appointments take not been disregarded, numerous custom changes have been made to the passenger motel. Pocket-sized, tasteful ALPINA badges pervade the cabin, the finest leather, forest and metals surround all occupants. When driven in a relaxed fashion, the ALPINA is buttery soft and polish, concealing its bulging muscles under a thin veil of sail metal. This automobile is a wolf in (a well groomed) sheep's habiliment; good at everything it does.

The epitome of power, luxury, and exclusivity awaits you; but be conscientious – they say this much power can decadent.

Perchance what is virtually intriguing about ALPINA is its rich history. Allow us to get out you with a brief history, courtesy of ALPINA:

In 1961 Burkard Bovensiepen begins his business working exclusively with BMW.
In 1964, BMW AG and its head of sales, Paul G. Hahnemann, ostend ALPINA'south high product quality, dove-tailing the BMW and ALPINA warranties.
1978 arrives and ALPINA present a line up of complete performance cars: the beginning six-cylinder 3 Series, the B6 2.8; and the turbo-charged, 300HP 5 & half-dozen Serial-based cars.
In 1983 ALPINA are officially registered as an automobile manufacturer with the German Federal Motor Vehicle Registration Agency – at present a unique entity and liable for the quality of content of the vehicles they produce.
ALPINA went on to accomplish not bad feats of technology, often working in harmony with BMW engineers. In 1971, BMW appointed ALPINA as project leader for the BMW three.0 CSL light-weight Coupé. The CSL – equally offered by BMW – is reflected past the 20-spoke ALPINA wheels.
In 1986 ALPINA developed a 6-cylinder 3 Series, chosen the 333i for the South African market, which is sold through BMW Due south Africa.
In 1996, in a joint project with BMW, the BMW ALPINA B12 (7 Series) debuted with electrically-heated metal catalysts, later used in V-12 7 Series product (a starting time in the automotive industry!)
In a articulation project initiated in 1998, ALPINA helped BMW blueprint the 6-cylinder, 3-liter BMW ALPINA D10 which produced 245bhp, a specific output of over 80bhp, not found in diesels of the twenty-four hour period.
In 1999 ALPINA was tasked with developing a high-performance X5 Paradigm, the outcome is convincing, and the E53 BMW X5 4,6is was built-in.
Technology sharing between ALPINA and BMW has been going on for decades, and both companies have mutually benefited by it.

For a more in-depth wait at ALPINA, its history, products and future, please relish our exclusive interview with Kris Odwarka, Sales Director ALPINA motorcars.

[Photos Credit: Greg Jarem for BMWBLOG ]

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Source: https://www.bmwblog.com/2010/05/19/first-drive-2011-bmw-alpina-b7/