From Spring 2010, BMW of North America will bring back the Alpina products to the U.S. starting with the amazing B7 Bi-Turbo based on the current 7-series. Available in both short- and long-wheelbase models, the B7 will first make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February. The car’s party piece is a twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 developing 500 hp.
In essence, Alpina B7 is the BMW M7 which the Bavarian company has always been reluctant to consider. It’s got every ingredients of a top of the line performance saloon such as specially tuned chassis with adaptive suspension, Dynamic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization as well as Dynamic Traction Control and some massive 21-inch wheels wrapped in MICHELIN PS2 tires, all resulting in a superb handling without compromise on comfort and smoothness you expect form a luxury sedan.
One other cool feature of the B7 and indeed all Alpina cars, is the distinguished body kit which is like the firm’s signature. This kit has been designed with maximum aerodynamic efficiency in mind and it also helps with the cooling. Meanwhile the full complement of BMW 7 Series exterior colors remains available fro this car, in addition to the signature ALPINA Blue metallic paint.
The interior of the B7 is also upgraded with traditional Alpina touches like the blue illuminated door sill trims, the SWITCH-TRONIC steering wheel in hand-stitched LAVALINA leather, and the Black-Panel LCD screen instrument cluster branded with ALPINA. It comes with an exclusive wood trim in the form of Myrtle Burl, a knotted burl of the Laurel only found on the Pacific Coast of the United States. You may also order ALPINA Piano Lacquer interior trim instead.
But the best part of it is indeed the engine! which is an all-aluminum, High Precision Direct Injection 4.4 liter V8 garnished with two turbochargers, three indirect intercoolers and stainless-steel ALPINA exhaust system, mated to the ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC six-speed sport automatic transmission. So its 500 (373kW) horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700Nm) of torque can take the car from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
Pricing for the 2010 Alpina BMW B7 will be announced in Spring when it hits the market, but you can expect it to be in the same league as Mercedes S63 AMG.
