ˆ Geneva 2009: BMW Alpina B6 GT3 puts the 'Ring on notice

tags : alpina , alpina b6 , alpina b6 gt3 , alpinab6 , alpinab6gt3 , b6 , b6 gt3 , b6gt3 , bmw , bmw alpina , bmw alpina b6 , bmw alpina b6 gt3 , bmwalpina , bmwalpinab6 , bmwalpinab6gt3 , geneva , geneva 2009 , geneva motor show , geneva2009 , genevamotorshow , gt3

BMW tuner par excellence Alpina is returning to the motor racing scene for the first time in two decades with the new B6 GT3, which the pseudo-works firm unveiled for the first time here at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the 6 Series, the B6 GT3 features a unique radial supercharger fitted to its 4.4-liter V8 to drive 530 horsepower to the rear wheels – in proper Bavarian style – in what looks to be a compelling competition package. Alpina itself will be fielding a pair in the European FIA GT3 series and at "selected 24-hour endurance races" (Nurburgring, Le Mans... we're looking at you), but the B6 GT3 will also be offered to private teams. Alpina has fitted adjustable everything to the car and a full array of electronic control systems to ensure that gentlemen racers – not just professional drivers – will be able to handle it and so that the car will qualify for a wide array of racing series. We're looking forward to seeing the green menace tackling the Green Hell soon, but in the meantime had to content ourselves with checking it out at Alpina's show stand here in Geneva where it was displayed alongside the new B7 Bi-Turbo, which we'll have for you shortly.

posted : 5/24/2009 @2:38:55 AM

ˆ Geneva 2009: An M7 by any other name - 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo

tags : alpina , alpina b7 , alpina b7 bi-turbo , alpina bmw , alpinab7 , alpinab7bi-turbo , alpinabmw , b7 , b7 bi-turbo , b7bi-turbo , bmw , bmw alpina b7 , bmw alpina b7 bi-turbo , bmwalpinab7 , bmwalpinab7bi-turbo , geneva , geneva 2009 , geneva motor show , geneva2009 , genevamotorshow

All indications are that BMW won't, in the end, be producing an M7 based on its new-generation F01 7 Series. That would've been cool, but before the Mercedes S63 AMG and Audi S8 can breathe a sigh of relief, Bavaria's pseudo-factory partner Alpina has something to say about it, and this is what it spake: the B7 Bi-Turbo – a BMW 7 Series with an attitude. At its heart is a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, which produces 507 horsepower thanks to larger-vane turbos and a new intercooler, driving through a retuned Switch-Tronic ZF six-speed automatic transmission, and a recalibrated suspension designed to optimize the balance between supercar control and luxury sedan comfort. 4.7 seconds is all it takes to hustle to 60 mph, while custom 21-inch rims riding on conventional rubber replace the stock run-flats and a bespoke leather and wood interior round out the package.

posted : 5/24/2009 @2:06:04 AM

ˆ Geneva Leakage: 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo sneaks out

tags : 2009 , 2009 bmw alpina b7 bi-turbo , 2009bmwalpinab7bi-turbo , alpina , b7 , bi-turbo , biturbo , bmw , breaking , geneva , geneva 2009 , geneva2009 , geneve motor show , genevemotorshow

The 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo will join the B6 GT3 race car on the stand in Geneva, and thanks to AutoZeitung, we've got a singular photo and some preliminary specs on the uber-sedan from Alpina. The B7 Bi-Turbo is essentially the M7 BMW forgot to build, packing a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V8 putting out 507 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Alpina claims the B7 can run to 60 in 4.7 seconds and on to an electronically-limited 173 mph. We'll have more details from the Geneva Motor Show next week, but expect a host of upgrades to join the engine mods, including uprated brakes, suspension components and a reworked interior to compliment the B7's new body kit.

posted : 5/19/2009 @12:40:28 PM

ˆ Spy Shots: BMW Alpina B7 caught in traffic ahead of Geneva debut

tags : alpina b7 , alpina b7 spy , alpinab7 , alpinab7spy , bmw , bmw 7 , bmw alpina , bmw alpina b7 , bmw7 , bmwalpina , bmwalpinab7 , geneva , geneva auto show , geneva motor show , genevaautoshow , genevamotorshow

Controversial BMW designer Chris Bangle may be out of the picture, but Bimmer's new 7-Series still bears his hallmarks. That aside, the new F01-generation holds much promise, with the possibility of a seemingly endless succession of performance variants speeding down the autobahn in hot pursuit. Rumors of an M7 may turn out to be unfounded, although a V12 version looks to be on the way. But not before pseudo-works tuning house Alpina lays their new B7 on us. The high-performance luxury sedan is tipped to bow next month at the Geneva show, but an undisguised prototype has just been spotted on German streets. Following the teaser sketch released by Alpina back in December, this is the most we've seen of the upcoming bahn-stormer. Visible mods to the standard 7 remain low-key on the Alpina version, but the spy shots show small lip spoilers on the lower fascia and on the trunk lid, rounded out by bigger wheels. But the real treat will come under the hood, where Alpina's performance gurus are thought to have pulled 500 juicy horsepower out of the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8.

posted : 4/15/2009 @12:08:03 PM