THE NEW BMW ALPINA B7: BMW And A Longtime Performance Partner Team Up to Cr
02/07/2007
BMW
ALPINA - a name famous in Europe and the wider world for putting a particular performance accent on BMWs, though not yet so well-known in North America. BMW - a name famous in all the world for motor vehicles of performance, quality, luxury and safety.
The two companies, both at home in the German state of Bavaria, have a long history of working together to produce special BMW automobiles. Burkard Bovensiepen, son of the founder of ALPINA Business Machines and an enthusastic racing driver/engineer, began his automotive career path in 1961 by developing a dual-carburetor setup for the just-introduced BMW 1500 sedan. It was a predictive beginning: to take an already fine-performing BMW (which also just happened to be a practical sedan) and making it perform even better.
By 1964, BMW had officially recognized ALPINA's contribution to BMW performance and offered warranty coverage on ALPINA-equipped BMW vehicles. Not long thereafter, Burkard Bovensiepen founded the ALPINA company - ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen KG - that continues today, creating special versions of BMW automobiles that offer a particular brand of performance for discriminating auto enthusiasts. Yet outside the circle of dedicated BMW enthusiasts, ALPINA has kept a low profile in North America. In addition to racing versions of BMW, ALPINA has developed a progression of BMW-based cars based on 3, 5, 6, 8, Z4 and Z8 models and offered them on a limited-production basis. Up to now, the only BMW ALPINA model offered by BMW of North America has been the ROADSTER V8, a special interpretation of the Z8 Roadster of which 450 examples were delivered to U.S. customers in 2002-03.
Now comes the next manifestation of the unique BMW-ALPINA synergy: the B7, based on the BMW 7 Series luxury sedan. Currently, BMW offers ultra-performance models of its 3, 5, 6 and Z4 Series developed by BMW M, BMW's own performance subsidiary. BMW M's automobiles have specific performance character, typified by high-revving engines and manual or sequential-manual (SMG) transmissions. For an ultra-performance version of the 7 Series - a platform that is defined by lavish luxury and generous interior space and offered only with an automatic transmission - something other than "M" performance character was called for.
In recent models, ALPINA has concentrated on delivering very high levels of performance with moderate rpm ranges and automatic transmission. Most appropriately, the new BMW ALPINA B7 applies this philosophy to the 7 Series to produce a luxury sedan of stunning performance. "A 7 Series Beyond," one might say.
ALPINA is located in the small Bavarian city of Buchloe, some 50 miles southwest of Munich, BMW's headquarters city and the capital of Bavaria. For more information on ALPINA the company, see the accompanying release.
ALPINA B7: a "7" of unique character
BMW itself offers a 7 Series model powered by a 438-horsepower V-12 engine, the 760Li; this is indeed a high-performance car, combining the velvety and high-torque power delivery of a 12-cylinder engine with ultimate luxury. For an unabashedly sporty interpretation of the 7 Series, ALPINA chose the path of supercharging BMW's V-8 engine.
By selecting as the basis for the B7 the BMW 750i, with its V-8 engine and regular-wheelbase platform, ALPINA could achieve a vehicle weight some 400 pounds lighter than that of the 760Li - a benefit in terms of agility and maneuverability. Then, to attain a power target of 500 hp, ALPINA added a supercharger to the V-8 engine, which adds little weight but lots of horses.
The supercharged engine:
V-8 + Valvetronic + Kompressor = 500 hp
At the time ALPINA began development of the B7 engine, BMW's V-8 engine with Valvetronic - the unique system that regulates power output by varying intake-valve lift - was at 4.4-liter displacement, not the 4.8 liters of today's 750i. From this basis, which delivered 325 hp @ 6100 rpm and 330 lb-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm, ALPINA took on the challenge of supercharging a Valvetronic engine, something that had never been done before. To tell something of the ending before the story, the achievement is impressive: 500 hp @ 5500 rpm and 516 lb-ft. @ 4250 rpm. In German, such figures qualify as bullig and no translation is necessary to get the meaning.
Both supercharging (in German, a supercharger is a Kompressor) and turbocharging have their attractions as power-enhancers for combustion engines. A supercharger is mechanically driven by the engine; a turbocharger is driven by streaming exhaust gas. In this case the supercharger's salient points include lag-free response, relative quietness, low exhaust back pressure and the ability to run the engine at part load (i.e. most of the time) just as it runs without the supercharger: with Valvetronic regulating its output. These last two factors speak for good efficiency and reasonable fuel economy in everyday driving.
Accomplishing the basic goals - this high efficiency under part-load conditions but a high level of boost for maximum power - required far-reaching development of the engine's electronic controls and a new concept in power regulation, namely:
- A pressure regulator before the supercharger, which maintains pressure before the engine throttle at atmospheric.
- A throttle between supercharger and engine that holds pressure in the intake manifold at 50 mbar (1.5 in. Hg or 0.735 psi) less than atmospheric.
These two elements allow the engine to be controlled by Valvetronic up to the point where the intake valves have reached their maximum opening via Valvetronic; it also helps minimize any pumping losses in the supercharger, which under these conditions is essentially "coasting." At this point, the pressure regulator before the supercharger becomes the engine throttle, responding to the driver's accelerator-pedal input and regulating the supercharger's boost accordingly. Sensing and regulation functions to execute this strategy are included in the engine's electronic control system. This entire system was developed, and is patented, by ALPINA.
The supercharger itself is a new development. It's of the Radial or Nautilus type, not a brand-new concept as such but now appearing on an automotive engine for the first time. It had been patented by ZF in the 1980s, but only recently have metallurgical advances made this actual vehicle application possible. (In connection with the B7, ALPINA has several patents pending.) At full boost, the supercharger delivers a positive induction pressure of 0.8 bar.
Other modifications to the powertrain are extensive:
- Crankshaft and connecting rods strengthened.
- New pistons for lower compression ratio: 9.0:1, vs. original 10:5:1. This is a customary modification for supercharged engines.
- Special cylinder-head gaskets.
- Additional belt drive for supercharger.
- Centrifugal clutch at supercharger; clutch begins to engage at an engine speed of 1100 rpm.
- Planetary reduction gear at supercharger input, which drives the supercharger at 15 times engine speed.
- Fuel pressure regulated according to supercharger boost.
- Higher-capacity fuel injectors.
- Specific sparkplugs; heat range differs from original plugs.
- Coolant-to-oil cooler for transmission replaced with air-to-oil cooler. All heat exchangers are included in a complex assembly that includes the engine radiator, supercharger intercooler; engine, transmission and power-steering oil coolers; and air-conditioning condenser.
- Entirely new exhaust system that -
- employs catalytic converters with metallic catalysts, more costly than conventional ceramic ones, to fit into the available space while allowing the engine's higher gas flow
- controls low-frequency noise via a close-off flap on the inboard resonator at the rear (turning it into a Helmholz resonator)
- keeps noise to legal limits, yet also achieves pleasing high-performance sound
- minimizes back pressure at high power outputs; 70-mm pipes vs. Series' 55 mm
- protects underbody components from undue heat exposure.
There is a clear subjective difference between an M-type exhaust note and that of the B7. Being high-revving, M engines emit a relatively high-pitched exhaust sound. The ALPINA B7 engine, with its lower-rpm range and emphasis on big torque, just as naturally - and despite the measures to keep low-frequency sound in check - puts out a lower-pitched sound. Commenting on this sound in everyday driving, the April 4, '04 issue of Germany's auto motor und sport magazine called it "Gently murmuring, acoustically not unlike a costly Riva boat, the V-8 pulls away and shows with great refinement that there's also driving pleasure at less than 500 hp."
Predictably, on-the-road performance results from the intense development effort are dramatic when the full 500 hp are put to use: 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds (preliminary data for U.S. version) and a maximum speed of 186 mph - unlike regular-production and even M BMWs, the B7 does have an electronic speed limiter. And for those times when one is not able to utilize the full 186 mph or run the stopwatch from 0 to 60, the supercharged V-8 puts down abundant thrust in the ranges where one drives much of the time: from as low as 1500 rpm, it can deliver nearly 300 lb-ft. of torque.
Fine-tuning the 7 Series chassis
Using the already advanced and sharp-handling 7 Series chassis, ALPINA fine-tuned the hardware to the B7's higher performance level. While retaining the regular models' Active Roll Stabilization - which counters body roll or "lean" in corners via electronics and hydraulics - ALPINA's engineers, working with BMW and tire supplier Michelin, adopted a firmer calibration of springs and shock absorbers. They also chose the European 760i's brakes, which have larger dimensions than those of the 750i:
- Front - 374-mm diameter x 36-mm thickness, vs. 348 x 30 (14.7 x 1.42 in., vs. 13.7 x 1.18)
- Rear - 370-mm diameter x 24-mm thickness, vs. 345 x 24 (14.6 x 0.94 in., vs. 13.6 x 0.94).
And, where the rubber meets the road, ALPINA topped even the 2006 BMW 760i's standard 20-in. wheels and tires. Right from the days of its participation in developing the lightweight BMW 3.0 CS of the early 1970s, ALPINA has a long tradition of radial-spoke wheels; this carries on in the B7's massive 21-in. wheels of 9.0-in. front/10.5-in. rear width with the traditional count of 20 slender spokes. These provide for outstanding ventilation of the big brake rotors, and carry Z-rated performance tires of 245/35 front / 285/30 rear dimensions.
One "final" B7 measure, adoption of the 760Li final drive, completes ALPINA's powertrain and chassis development. ALPINA engineered some strengthening modifications to this differential unit, which have now flowed into BMW's own production of that model. And yet even with this strengthening, the supercharged V-8's torque is so massive that it is electronically limited in the transmission's bottom two gears.
Exterior features: the ALPINA touch
Through the years, ALPINA's exterior modifications have always stated "performance" but never screamed it. So it is with the B7, whose ALPINA exterior is distinguished from that of a regular-production 750i by -
- A special front bumper/spoiler ensemble
- The 20-spoke ALPINA wheels and their low-profile tires
- Standard high-gloss Shadowline trim on the side-window framing
- A special rear bumper ensemble
- A rear spoiler that integrates perfectly with the 7 Series' body lines
- Availability of the traditional ALPINA Blue metallic paint color
- ALPINA B7 badging.
The effect is one of subtle performance emphasis, fully appropriate to the 7 Series' elegant and substantial presence but leaving no doubt that this is a special performance 7.
Inside the B7: special instrumentation and controls,
exclusive ALPINA choices
Any 7 Series BMW offers its driver and passengers lavish luxury, fine materials and tasteful design. To this sumptuous ambiance, ALPINA adds its own touches, both ergonomic and esthetic; the level of regular-production BMW standard equipment has been raised considerably as well.
Special ALPINA features. First and foremost, it's performance that characterizes the B7. And once seated behind the special ALPINA steering wheel, the B7 driver is quickly and keenly aware of this emphasis.
Upon stepping in over the handsome B7 doorsill trims and setting his or her foot on the fine floormat with its ALPINA logo, the driver can assess an instrument cluster with the traditional ALPINA Blue as its background color and ALPINA lettering at bottom right. Four readings from the iDrive system's On-board Computer can be called up conveniently via a button on the turn-signal stalk: remaining fuel in tank, range on fuel, distance to destination and a digital display of current vehicle speed.
Other distinguishing features of the B7's instrument cluster include longer, red pointers with blue centers; deletion of the 7 Series' chrome dial rings; a 200-mph/320-km/h speedometer scale; and constant display of the current transmission gear, even in the automatic mode.
The steering wheel itself presents distinctive visual character and function: in its center, the ALPINA logo; on its rim Lavalina leather and special stitching, plus symbols for the SWITCH-TRONIC transmission's upshift and downshift buttons. These "+" and "-" inscriptions are in ALPINA Blue, and denote the actual locations of the shift buttons on the wheel's forward side (away from the driver).
Interior upholstery and trim selections consist of the four standard BMW colors for the Nasca leather and a choice of American Walnut or high-gloss Ash wood trim; a B7 in ALPINA Blue exterior color will also include ALPINA's stunning Myrtle wood interior trim.
Enhanced standard features. The B7 interior has been upgraded to essentially 760Li (V-12) level with a wide range of features that are optional on the V-8 750i. These include -
- Comfort Access - keyless entry, starting and locking.
- Soft-close doors and trunk - the user closes the door or trunklid gently; an electric mechanism draws it fully in.
- Automatic trunk opening/closing - lid opens fully upon actuation of any of the releases; closes when button on lid itself is pressed.
- Power sunshades on the rear window and rear door windows.
- Active Ventilation on both front seats - fans inside seats gently blow air upward through internal web and perforated leather to enhance comfort.
- Active Support on driver's seat - creates a subtle, cyclical motion of the seat cushion to help relieve fatigue during extended trips.
- Heated rear seats.
- Logic7 audio system with 13 speakers, Digital Sound Processing, Surround Sound simulation, aluminum-membrane speaker construction and other audiophile features.
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio, including a lifetime subscription. Currently optional in all other 7 Series models.
- In-dash 6-disc CD changer.
- Alcantara headliner - among regular 7 Series models, available only in 760Li.
- Enhanced windshield sealing - adopted because of the B7's higher maximum speed, but now present in all 7 Series models.
These amenities are in addition to the very extensive standard equipment of even the most accessible 7 Series models, the 750i; for a complete listing, see the standard & optional features listing included with this presskit.
Available options:
so much is standard, this list is short
With so much of the equipment that's optional on or in the V-8 7 Series models and standard in the V-12, the list of available options for the BMW ALPINA B7 is understandably short. Here, briefly described, are the Package and stand-alone options that are available:
Rear Entertainment Package, offering rear-seat passengers their own entertainment and feature-control options. Includes a color monitor, 6-disc DVD changer and two headphone jacks; when allowed by the driver, rear passengers can operate certain iDrive functions via their own controller.
BMW Night Vision. Recently introduced in other BMW models; improves the driver's vision at twilight and night. An infrared camera captures the view up to about 500 meters/1640 ft. ahead of the vehicle; the resulting image is displayed on the central iDrive monitor. The warmer the object, the brighter it appears; thus human beings and animals are visually emphasized.
In addition to its known attributes, BMW has expanded Long-range Infrared technology in several ways:
- The camera's 36-degree view is greater than heretofore employed in similar systems.
- Like the 7 Series' standard Xenon Adaptive headlights, the monitor image follows road curves.
- For higher speeds, digital zoom can be activated.
- Brightness, contrast and image characteristics can be adjusted by the user.
Thanks to the system's excellent range, the driver can be aware of hazards (and living creatures!) in the road ahead a good 11 sec. sooner at 70 mph than might otherwise be the case.
Active Cruise Control. Employs a radar sensor unit at the front of the vehicle to sense the speed of vehicles traveling ahead, and accordingly adjusts the BMW driver's speed to help maintain a safe following distance.
High Definition Radio. BMW is the first automaker to offer this feature, which provides digital-quality sound on FM and improves AM sound to quality approaching that of conventional FM.
In contrast to Satellite Radio, HD Radio is broadcast from terrestrial towers by the radio stations that offer it, and requires no subscription. The compressed digital signals promise the possibility of more stations within the bandwidth used by one station today. Presently, some hundreds of stations are broadcasting digitally, and the number is expected to grow.
High-gloss Ash interior trim, available at no extra cost.
Rear-seat side-impact airbags, offered as an option in all models so that customers can decide whether or not to equip their vehicle with this feature.
BMW ALPINA B7: unique offering from
a unique combination of talents
The interaction of BMW and ALPINA, the wide-ranging development program that has transformed a 7 Series BMW into the ALPINA B7, the carefully composed attributes and features that Munich and Buchloe have blended into the regal "big BMW": nothing would guarantee successful results were it not for the long and illustrious traditions of both companies and their history of synergy in developing performance vehicles of distinctive personality and capability. The success of this collaboration on the B7 is reflected in this straightforward caption from the authoritative German magazine auto motor und sport in its April 28, '04 issue: "ALPINA B7 in action: The upper-class feeling is paired with super-sports-car dynamics."
Need one say more?
BMW Ultimate ServiceTM:
providing owners with incredible value and peace of mind
For Model Year 2007, BMW announces BMW Ultimate ServiceTM, a suite of services that includes the BMW Maintenance Program (formerly called Full Maintenance), Roadside Assistance, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty and BMW AssistTM with TeleService.
BMW Ultimate ServiceTM includes:
The BMW Maintenance Program is the only no-cost maintenance program in the industry that covers wear and tear items like brake pads and rotors for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. BMW owners pay nothing for all scheduled inspections, oil changes, brake pads, wiper blade inserts and other wear-and-tear items.
BMW Roadside Assistance is one of the industry's most comprehensive plans available. Not only is it no-charge for the first 4 years, but there is no mileage limit. BMW drivers enjoy the assurance of on-the-road help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This includes everything from flat tire changes, emergency gasoline and lock-out assistance, to towing, alternative transportation and even trip-interruption benefits. This service also includes valuable trip routing advice.
BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty: All 2007 BMW passenger vehicles are covered by BMW's excellent Limited Warranty, which includes:
- New-vehicle warranty - 4-year/50,000-mile coverage of the vehicle.
- Rust-perforation warranty - 12-year/unlimited-mileage coverage.
BMW AssistTM provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW AssistTM Safety Plan is standard on all 5, 6, and 7 Series models, including M5 and M6, and is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option on all other models. Starting with MY 2007 vehicles, BMW is the only manufacturer that will offer this service for 4 years at no additional cost. Most other manufacturers cover only the first year of service.
The in-vehicle equipment for BMW AssistTM includes GPS technology and hands-free communication functions accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. Vehicle occupants may request emergency or other services simply by pressing a button; the BMW AssistTM system then transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW AssistTM Response Center. A response specialist will then speak with the occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and requested. A severe accident automatically activates the BMW AssistTM call as well. The BMW AssistTM Safety Plan also includes Remote Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the owner time and money.
TeleService 2 automatically notifies the BMW center when a vehicle will need service. This feature allows the Service Advisor to proactively set up a customer appointment and have the needed parts ready.
BMW AssistTM subscribers can also enroll in the BMW AssistTM Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of many BMW AssistTM Concierge services, from travel planning to dining reservations, shopping assistance and event tickets, as well as receive directions, and traffic and weather information. On many models produced September 2006 and later, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the on-board navigation system and Bluetooth(R)-linked mobile phone, after a push of the new Concierge button. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a new service that connects the driver in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged. After pushing the SOS button, a BMW AssistTM response specialist will link the driver to his requested party for up to five minutes and for up to four events per year.
As before, the BMW AssistTM system includes Bluetooth(R) hands-free phone connectivity with hands-free phonebook access and dialing by name or number via the steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth(R) mobile phone.
Performance with a conscience
BMW strives to produce its motor vehicles and other products with the utmost attention to environmental compatibility and protection. Integrated into the design and development of BMW automobiles are such criteria as resource efficiency and emission control in production; environmentally responsible selection of materials; recyclability during production and within the vehicle; elimination of CFCs and hazardous materials in production; and continuing research into environmentally friendly automotive power sources. Tangible results of these efforts include the recycling of bumper cladding into other vehicle components; water-based paint color coats and powder clear coats; near-future availability of hydrogen-powered models; and various design and engineering elements that help make BMWs easier to dismantle at the end of their service life.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the ROLLS-ROYCE brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 339 BMW passenger car centers, 334 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 143 BMW motorcycle retailers, 80 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.