Wednesday, July 15, 2009
new BMW ALPINA B7 Bi-Turbo
With the new BMW ALPINA B7 Bi-Turbo, ALPINA presents its fourth generation of automobiles based on the BMW 7 Series. Prominent predecessors include the BMW ALPINA B12 6.0 and B7, which raised the bar in the high-performance luxury saloon segment. Newly interpreted and in every way state-of-the-art, the B7 Bi-Turbo unites exclusiveness, athleticism and comfort in perfect harmony.
Yielding exquisite levels of torque and power from the charged 4.4 litre V8, and in conjunction with the electronically-adjustable suspension with active roll stabilisation, the B7 Bi-Turbo promises to offer a spectrum of driving experiences so varied as to be unheard of in this class of automobiles.
The evolution of the traditional 20-spoke 21” ALPINA CLASSIC wheels underline the fresh design language found throughout the B7 Bi-Turbo and impart it a distinctive appearance and powerful stance.
Powertrain
The Bi-Turbo model designation that now graces this flagship BMW ALPINA saloon hints at even more powerful and torque-laden performance over its predecessor, while simultaneously improving upon fuel economy.
The fully-aluminium, 4395 cm3 V8 aggregate yields 507 peak horsepower (373 kW) at a moderate 5500rpm, with a maximum torque of 700 Nm available between 3000-4750rpm.
Two especially for the ALPINA powerplant constructed turbochargers with generously-dimensioned turbine vanes are responsible for the forced induction. Thorough exploitation of the engine’s potential was achieved by means of optimising the indirect intercooler (air-water/water-air) with its short intake paths and flow-optimised intercooler tracts.
High-performance pistons are at work in the cylinders, carefully developed to harmonise with a compression of 9.2:1 and a maximum turbo boost of 1.0 bar. The result is a formidable specific output of 115hp (85kW) per litre, with a maximum average compression of 20.1 bar, a benchmark even amongst established sportscars.
One look at the torque and power diagram is enough to highlight that the B7 Bi-Turbo will accelerate fiercely and effortlessly from very low revs. Peak torque is available from an unusually broad range of rpm’s, ranging from 3,000 to 4,750 rpm. This wide powerband coupled with the exquisitely geared ZF six-speed automatic sport transmission pampers the occupants with remarkably high levels of smooth drivetrain comfort in every driving situation.
The ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC, which has been programmed to shift exceptionally smooth and comfortable in Automatic mode, offers different shift characteristics for every taste and situation thanks to the additional Sport and Manual modes. Driving the B7 Bi-Turbo becomes an altogether different experience when using the buttons found on the back of the steering wheel for manually selecting the gears of the automatic transmission. This ensures shifts take place within a few hundred milliseconds and with only minimal interruption to the transmission of power, favourably comparable even to the best twin-clutch transmissions. As a result, the B7 Bi-Turbo sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, vehemently pressing on to an electronically-limited 280 km/h top speed.
Chassis & Suspension
Long gone are the days when a purely “hard and sporty” ride was a sought-after attribute of suspension set-ups. Striving for truly neutral handling continues to be the intelligent way forward, yielding the best of what is technologically feasible.
In pursuit of this goal, marginally shorter and uniquely calibrated springs reduce front and rear ride height by 15mm and 10mm respectively. Together with the 21” wheel and tyre combination the suspension is at once sensitive to inputs and direct in its feel, yet free from the harshness of a purely sports-oriented suspension, imparting this large saloon with an agility usually only associated with much smaller sports saloons. The light-weight 21” wheels, with their new interpretation of the ALPINA CLASSIC wheel design, are shod with an especially selected staggered MICHELIN tyre set-up: 245/35 R21 front and 285/30 R21 rear. Foregoing Run-Flat technology, conventional tyres are used to ensure a supple, comfortable finesse that is rare today.
ALPINA have integrated state-of-the-art electronic suspension technologies, skilfully and subtly adjusting them to the demanding requirements of our customers. As part of the B7 Bi-Turbo standard equipment, the electronic suspension system with Dynamic Damping Control and Dynamic Drive (active roll stabilisation) enable the driver to select from three distinct suspension set-ups: Comfort, Normal and Sport. The B7 Bi-Turbo offers the driver unheard-of versatility, delivering on long-distance comfort just as readily as on back-road pace, always with a maximum of enjoyment and safety.
Design
At once dynamic, graceful and potent - the silhouette of the B7 Bi-Turbo is significantly influenced by the evolutionary new design of the 21” ALPINA CLASSIC wheels. A turbine-like three-dimensional curve guides each of the 20 spokes from the centre of the wheel to the rim, at which point they have a milled surface. Depending on the angle of the viewer, the rotational speed of the wheels and the light, the appearance of these classic wheels is constantly changing. Of course they continue to possess the refined tyre air valves, safely and attractively hidden away behind the lockable wheel covers.
In true “form-follows-function” fashion, the typical ALPINA front integrates the fresh-air requirements of the transmission and engine oil coolers, which are separated out of the main cooler module for improved efficiency. The design of the front and rear spoiler follows clearly aerodynamically-oriented interests, reducing lift at the front and rear by 30% and 15% respectively. Left and right, the exhaust system’s two double tailpipes are seamlessly integrated into the rear valance and are witness to the B7 Bi-Turbo’s potency.
When climbing into the B7 Bi-Turbo, one immediately takes note of the ALPINA door sill trims which are finely illuminated in blue. The SWITCH-TRONIC steering wheel is gloved and hand-stitched in the finest, most comfortable LAVALINA leather. In the driver’s line of sight, red pointers over a field of blue dials grace the instrument cluster, where a Black-Panel LCD screen is responsible for communicating driver-important information.
Exclusive interior luxury wood trim in the form of Myrtle Burl, a knotted burl of the Laurel only found on the Pacific Coast of the United States, provides a warm and traditional ambience. Optional ALPINA Piano Lacquer interior trim with its silver diagonal rhombs, offers a modern and just as exclusive alternative.
2009 BMW Alpina B6S Detail
Few sportscars can emulate the ease which the supercharged V8 BMW ALPINA B6 S fuses seemingly incompatible qualities together. Enormous speed and power blend with luxury, comfort and relaxed control, creating a single harmonious entity.
The B6 S unifies the elegant appearance of a Gran Tourismo with the performance of a super-sportscar. Numbers are not enough to communicate the Coupé’s acceleration accurately – in 4.5 seconds from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) from a standing start. The 300km/h (186mph) mark passes by in less than 60 seconds, an experience that has to be experienced to be believed.
To satisfy our most sport-oriented customers, the BMW ALPINA B6 S comes with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential as standard, developed in cooperation with Drexler Motorsport. The locking effect amounts to 30% under acceleration and 20% on a trailing throttle. This concept improves directional stability and vehicle control under weight transfer during cornering, especially during load changes.
Developed in co-operation with SACHS Race Engineering, the electronically-controlled adjustable damping, called EDC, comes as standard on the B6 S. The dampers automatically increase their resistance in a fraction of a second to help ensure safe driving. The more sport-oriented driver can also manually select firmer damper settings in advance, using the EDC button located on the centre console.
Powertrain
The B6 S powertrain, based on a 4.4 l V8, is truly unique. The charging system of this engine differs from conventional solutions: it is neither a turbocharger nor a compressor, instead boost comes from a so-called 'radial compressor' which one may visualise as a combination of both.
A quick glance at the power / torque curve suggest what one can expect from the complex technology that fills the BMW ALPINA B6 S' engine bay. At a humble 2500rpm the engine already delivers 200hp. At 5500rpm a peak of 530hp (390kW) is available. This provides a very broad power band across which the B6 S offers superior performance, its 725Nm of torque providing turbine like acceleration!
ALPINA have worked closely with ZF to develop a new sports automatic transmission with ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC. This perfectly augments the car's character, letting you select gears manually or leaving the automatic to change gears almost imperceptibly. In manual-mode, shift durations and reacton times have been reduced by nearly half over previous generations, allowing for a dynamic, involved and sporty driving experience akin to a double clutch gearbox. Especially sporty drivers will benefit from an automatic double-declutching function on downshifts, eliminating engine drag and reducing load alteration effects.
To satisfy our most sport-oriented customers, the BMW ALPINA B6 S comes with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential as standard (Coupé), developed in cooperation with Drexler Motorsport. The locking effect amounts to 30% under acceleration and 20% on a trailing throttle. This concept improves directional stability and vehicle control under weight transfer during cornering, especially during load changes.
Chassis & Suspension
As the sportiest representative of the ALPINA line-up, the B6 S Coupé unifies the elegant appearance of a Gran Tourismo with the performance of a super-sportscar. To match power and performance, the B6 S' s features an electronic damper control (EDC). By means of varying compression and re-bound damper settings, the B6 S profits from sporty handling without compromising on comfort. Soft dampening in the standard setting provides a subtle ride, which automatically tightens when lateral forces increase. Alternatively one can manually select firmer damper settings in advance, using the EDC button located on the centre console. Thanks in no small part to the standard 20” wheels, truly light-footed and neutral handling has been achieved with excellent turn-in and minimal body-roll.
Design
Eyes immediately focus on the unique and exclusive bonnet of the B6 S. Gently rising from the bonnet’s front edge to the windscreen, the elevated centre channel visually awards the entire automobile added length. The lightweight carbon composite construction features
two harmoniously integrated vertical air outlets which allow air to exit from the engine bay, with better cooling ensuring that all 530 horses gallop even at the highest ambient temperatures. Typical ALPINA, typical form-follows-function - much like in racing actually.
In addition to the typical ALPINA front and rear spoiler, the B6 S features a prominent rear diffusor which is integrated between the two twin exhaust tips.
To satisfy our most sport-oriented customers, the BMW ALPINA B6 S comes with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential as standard, developed in cooperation with Drexler Motorsport. The locking effect amounts to 30% under acceleration and 20% on a trailing throttle. This concept improves directional stability and vehicle control under weight transfer during cornering, especially during load changes.
Developed in co-operation with SACHS Race Engineering, the electronically-controlled adjustable damping, called EDC, comes as standard on the B6 S. The dampers automatically increase their resistance in a fraction of a second to help ensure safe driving. The more sport-oriented driver can also manually select firmer damper settings in advance, using the EDC button located on the centre console.
Powertrain
The B6 S powertrain, based on a 4.4 l V8, is truly unique. The charging system of this engine differs from conventional solutions: it is neither a turbocharger nor a compressor, instead boost comes from a so-called 'radial compressor' which one may visualise as a combination of both.
A quick glance at the power / torque curve suggest what one can expect from the complex technology that fills the BMW ALPINA B6 S' engine bay. At a humble 2500rpm the engine already delivers 200hp. At 5500rpm a peak of 530hp (390kW) is available. This provides a very broad power band across which the B6 S offers superior performance, its 725Nm of torque providing turbine like acceleration!
ALPINA have worked closely with ZF to develop a new sports automatic transmission with ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC. This perfectly augments the car's character, letting you select gears manually or leaving the automatic to change gears almost imperceptibly. In manual-mode, shift durations and reacton times have been reduced by nearly half over previous generations, allowing for a dynamic, involved and sporty driving experience akin to a double clutch gearbox. Especially sporty drivers will benefit from an automatic double-declutching function on downshifts, eliminating engine drag and reducing load alteration effects.
To satisfy our most sport-oriented customers, the BMW ALPINA B6 S comes with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential as standard (Coupé), developed in cooperation with Drexler Motorsport. The locking effect amounts to 30% under acceleration and 20% on a trailing throttle. This concept improves directional stability and vehicle control under weight transfer during cornering, especially during load changes.
Chassis & Suspension
As the sportiest representative of the ALPINA line-up, the B6 S Coupé unifies the elegant appearance of a Gran Tourismo with the performance of a super-sportscar. To match power and performance, the B6 S' s features an electronic damper control (EDC). By means of varying compression and re-bound damper settings, the B6 S profits from sporty handling without compromising on comfort. Soft dampening in the standard setting provides a subtle ride, which automatically tightens when lateral forces increase. Alternatively one can manually select firmer damper settings in advance, using the EDC button located on the centre console. Thanks in no small part to the standard 20” wheels, truly light-footed and neutral handling has been achieved with excellent turn-in and minimal body-roll.
Design
Eyes immediately focus on the unique and exclusive bonnet of the B6 S. Gently rising from the bonnet’s front edge to the windscreen, the elevated centre channel visually awards the entire automobile added length. The lightweight carbon composite construction features
two harmoniously integrated vertical air outlets which allow air to exit from the engine bay, with better cooling ensuring that all 530 horses gallop even at the highest ambient temperatures. Typical ALPINA, typical form-follows-function - much like in racing actually.
In addition to the typical ALPINA front and rear spoiler, the B6 S features a prominent rear diffusor which is integrated between the two twin exhaust tips.
2009 BMW ALPINA B3
For over thirty years now, ALPINA have been creating exclusive automobiles based on the BMW 3 Series, automobiles that aim to fulfill only the very highest demands. In the beginning of this continuing success story spanning over 6,000 units was the legendary 1978 BMW ALPINA B6 2.8 - revolutionary in its day due to its six cylinder engine.
This success story is continued in a most prominent fashion by the BMW ALPINA B3 Bi-Turbo.
Enjoyment, great attention to detail and a unique driving experience come together, creating a synergy of elegance and driving dynamics.
The B3 Bi-Turbo line up presents itself in an hitherto unparalleled diversity, comprising a Saloon, Touring, Coupé and Convertible. See for yourself!
Powertrain
The straight-six cylinder petrol powerplant manages to accommodate torque and power in a compact, nimble and efficient package like no other car in its segment.
400Nm (294lb-ft) of torque from 1300rpm onwards, peaking between 3800rpm and 5000rpm at 500Nm (368lb-ft), provide plenty of punch and elasticity, rocket-like launching the B3 Bi-Turbo from standstill if required, or sovereignly navigating traffic at the touch of your foot.
The omnipresence of Its sporty character means the engine revs freely, accompanied by a wonderful soundtrack, to a maximum 7000rpm, offering up 360hp (265kW) along the way between 5500rpm - 6000rpm.
The use of extremely durable MAHLE pistons allows for a maximum boost of 1.1 bar with 9.4:1 compression. The result, a peak specific output of 121hp (89kW) per litre and a maximum average pressure of 21 bar.
BMW ALPINA automobiles have always been known for their excellent blend of fuel economy and performance. The allure of the B3 Bi-Turbo is found in its V8-like performance coupled with the advantages of a much lighter and noticeably thriftier 3.0 litre straight-six.
A glance at the technical data confirms that the B3 Bi-Turbo ist best-in-class, leading its segment in terms of performance, consumption and CO2 emissions!
Chassis & Suspension
The light, agile and easy handling of the B3 Bi-Turbo is immediately noticeable.
An ideal 50:50 front/rear axle weight distribution in combination with a carefully chosen blend of suspension components make for a great overall chassis set-up, which is equally engaging and comfortable. Stiffer rear axle suspension mounts, for example, increase steering precision and feedback, especially noticeable during fast lane changes.
Low profile conventional tyres which forego Run Flat technology in favour of comfort in combination with light weight alloy 18" or 19" ALPINA wheels ensure that unsprung mass is kept to a minimum.
Design
The intense driving experience and the immediate bonding with the B3 Bi-Turbo are markedly influenced by fine materials and superior ergonomics. The standard leather interior features comfortable sport seats with excellent lateral support and electric adjustment.
The SWITCH-TRONIC sports leather steering wheel covered in finest ALPINA LAVALINA leather is a joy to touch and affords a clear view of the ALPINA typical blue instruments with their red pointers. As demanded by any enthusiastic driver, the provision of essential oil temperature information is provided by an analog instrument located below the rev counter.
Finely honed front and rear spoilers reduce aerodynamic lift, especially approaching top speed, increasing straight-line stability and helping guarantee true driving safety, not just a feeling of safety.
As tradition holds, each automobile is fitted with an ALPINA plaque identifying its unique production number.
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