BMW Tuning Masters Appreciating The Alpina B7
BMW Tuning Masters: Appreciating The Alpina B7
Alpina is more than just another aftermarket BMW tuning company. Because Alpina works collaboratively with BMW, and their processes are fully integrated with BMW’s own factory production lines, the company is also recognized by the German Technical Inspection Association (TUV) as an automobile manufacturer in their own right.
The Alpina B7, based on the BMW 7-Series, gets its twin turbo 4.4 liter BMW V8 engine assembled by hand in the Alpina factory, then makes the trip over to the BMW factory to be placed within an auto body before being shipped back to Alpina for the finishing touches. Although they are bought and serviced at BMW dealerships, and covered under BMW’s warranty, Alpina’s is official status as an automobile manufacturer means that BMW cars built in collaboration with the company are branded and registered as Alpina, rather than BMW.
The Alpina Difference
Golf Tuning aficionados recognize Alpinas by their distinctive twenty spoke alloy wheels, the patented “Alpina Blue” metallic paint, and exclusive interior appointments featuring expensive materials and the Alpina green and blue logo pattern on fabric and stitching. On the outside, the Alpina trademark gold or silver pin-stripe like decor elegantly declares the vehicle’s origin, and the official pedigree stamp can be found on an interior metal plate bearing the serial number of the car. While these gorgeous cars are easy to spot, the real beauty of an Alpina is on the inside.
Alpina’s hand-crafted engines are the heart of these amazing machines, and in the B7 beats an ingeniously modified all-alloy, direct injected 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 BMW N63. At the Alpina factory, the BMW N63 receives high performance pistons and reinforced cylinder heads, along with a larger inter cooler, giving it 35% more surface area and lower intake temperatures. The system gets even cooler with an additional radiator and external engine and transmission oil coolers.
All this high performance gear needs a steady flow of good oxygen, so the engine fan is given an upgrade, and larger turbochargers, along with specialty Alpina engine management software boost the operation of the entire power train. Thanks to Alpina’s expert BMW tuning, the modified twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 in the Alpina B7 increases boost to 14.5 psi, recalibrates the stability and traction control to more aggressive settings, and steps the engine performance up to 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque- giving BMW owners lucky enough to have one of these babies a sweet specific output of 115 horsepower per liter.
Like BMW’s factory series 7 models, the Alpina B7 suspension architecture features BMW's Dynamic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization, but these BMW tuning masters increase the spring rates by 20%, and allow the driver to choose from four different suspension settings- Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport-Plus. Massive brakes garnered from the BMW 7 series “Protection” model makes this truly a dream machine, head to head with the BMW M3 Coupe as one the world’s greatest sports cars.
To find out more about these amazing cars and BMW Tuning, drop by the online blog at Torque Cars, a forum community for serious performance enthusiasts. Simply visit here torquecars.com .
Alpina is more than just another aftermarket BMW tuning company. Because Alpina works collaboratively with BMW, and their processes are fully integrated with BMW’s own factory production lines, the company is also recognized by the German Technical Inspection Association (TUV) as an automobile manufacturer in their own right.
The Alpina B7, based on the BMW 7-Series, gets its twin turbo 4.4 liter BMW V8 engine assembled by hand in the Alpina factory, then makes the trip over to the BMW factory to be placed within an auto body before being shipped back to Alpina for the finishing touches. Although they are bought and serviced at BMW dealerships, and covered under BMW’s warranty, Alpina’s is official status as an automobile manufacturer means that BMW cars built in collaboration with the company are branded and registered as Alpina, rather than BMW.
The Alpina Difference
Golf Tuning aficionados recognize Alpinas by their distinctive twenty spoke alloy wheels, the patented “Alpina Blue” metallic paint, and exclusive interior appointments featuring expensive materials and the Alpina green and blue logo pattern on fabric and stitching. On the outside, the Alpina trademark gold or silver pin-stripe like decor elegantly declares the vehicle’s origin, and the official pedigree stamp can be found on an interior metal plate bearing the serial number of the car. While these gorgeous cars are easy to spot, the real beauty of an Alpina is on the inside.
Alpina’s hand-crafted engines are the heart of these amazing machines, and in the B7 beats an ingeniously modified all-alloy, direct injected 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 BMW N63. At the Alpina factory, the BMW N63 receives high performance pistons and reinforced cylinder heads, along with a larger inter cooler, giving it 35% more surface area and lower intake temperatures. The system gets even cooler with an additional radiator and external engine and transmission oil coolers.
All this high performance gear needs a steady flow of good oxygen, so the engine fan is given an upgrade, and larger turbochargers, along with specialty Alpina engine management software boost the operation of the entire power train. Thanks to Alpina’s expert BMW tuning, the modified twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 in the Alpina B7 increases boost to 14.5 psi, recalibrates the stability and traction control to more aggressive settings, and steps the engine performance up to 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque- giving BMW owners lucky enough to have one of these babies a sweet specific output of 115 horsepower per liter.
Like BMW’s factory series 7 models, the Alpina B7 suspension architecture features BMW's Dynamic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization, but these BMW tuning masters increase the spring rates by 20%, and allow the driver to choose from four different suspension settings- Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport-Plus. Massive brakes garnered from the BMW 7 series “Protection” model makes this truly a dream machine, head to head with the BMW M3 Coupe as one the world’s greatest sports cars.
To find out more about these amazing cars and BMW Tuning, drop by the online blog at Torque Cars, a forum community for serious performance enthusiasts. Simply visit here torquecars.com .