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South Florida International Auto Show Crowns BMW Alpina B7 Official Show Car
Posted on Sep 30th 2010 5:25 PM
By Greg Fink
Official Blogger for the SFIAS Unless you're a BMW aficionado, you've likely never heard of Alpina. The German tuning firm, which can trace its roots with BMW back to 1961, is to BMW what Shelby is to Ford; an aftermarket company that has been embraced and given support from its respective manufacturer. Alpina's first footing in America goes back to 2003 when BMW of North America imported the BMW Alpina Roadster -- a BMW Z8 with an automatic transmission by any other name. The new 2011 Alpina B7, the Official Show Car of the South Florida International Auto Show, is the second Alpina B7 to reach our shores. The first Alpina B7, a model based on the previous generation 7 Series, was imported by BMW of North America for the 2007 and 2008 model years.
While the new Alpina B7 may be a superior machine over its predecessor, don't look to see one at every corner as the Alpina B7 serves the role of a low-volume performance model for the 7 Series range, much like the M3 and M5 do for BMW's 3 Series and 5 Series. With the help of Alpina, BMW's twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 engine now produces 500 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque & gains of 100 horsepower and 66 lb-ft of torque over the BMW 750i. Customers can choose between standard and long-wheelbase models. However, it isn't pure power that garners the BMW Alpina B7 as Official Show Car of the South Florida International Auto Show. While performance is part of what makes the B7 unique, its all-around nature of performance and luxury is what makes it so special. The six-speed automatic transmission can be left to shift on its own, or the driver can appreciate the added control of paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel. The racy bodywork, which not only looks stunning, is fully functional, reducing lift at the front of the car by 30 percent and at the rear by 15 percent. Inside, driver and passengers are treated to the standard array of luxuries that BMW offers in the 7 Series, as well as Alpina specific trim including Myrtle Burl wood, illuminated door sills and Alpina badges. In South Florida where unique style is just as important as genuine substance, the BMW Alpina B7 manages to blend both a performance machine as well as a luxury statement into one package. For that the BMW Alpina B7 is the South Florida International Auto Show Official Show Car. Related Articles
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