BMW 7 Series (F01) - Special Variants - Alpina B7

Alpina B7

Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH has produced the ALPINA B7 Bi-Turbo performance variant, also known as the BMW 750i Alpina B7, for the F01/02 7 Series commencing with the 2011 model year. The Alpina B7's engine is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.

Alpina's variant of the N63 twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 makes 507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp) / 700 N·m (516 lb·ft), while retaining the same fuel economy as the regular N63. This is the first time that BMW M and Alpina are using the same type of forced-induction for their powerplants; Alpina's engine has less horsepower but more torque than the BMW M5 (F10).

Alpina's modifications to the standard N63 include high-performance pistons and reinforced cylinder heads to withstand the additional stress from a higher compression ratio. A larger intercooler, with a 35-percent increase in surface area, is fitted to lower intake temperatures. An additional radiator lowers coolant temperatures, and external coolers are added for the engine and transmission oil. The electric fan is also upgraded to increase airflow through the new high-performance components. To move more oxygen through the engine, larger and lighter turbochargers (the vanes measure 44 mm in diameter) are fitted to keep the whole package running smoothly and Alpina engine management software increases boost to 14.5 psi (1.0 bar vs. the standard engine's 0.8 bar) and recalibrates both stability- and traction-control with more aggressive settings. The blowers exhale into three air-to-liquid intercoolers, an arrangement that helps maintain maximum airflow even during long lapping sessions at a racetrack. There is also a bigger (2.7-inch) dual exhaust system that vents gasses out the back through the rear apron.

A ZF six-speed automatic sport transmission with heavy-duty gears (taken from ZF's transmissions for trucks) is found in the B7. The B7 also features a choice of regular or long-wheelbase and/or rear-wheel drive or xDrive.

The 2011 Alpina B7 undercuts competitors such as BMW's own 2010 760Li (powered by a 6.0L biturbo V12 engine) and the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (initially powered by a 6.2L V8 from 2007–10, updated for 2011 with a 5.5L biturbo V8). Although the S63 AMG's new engine is more powerful, the B7 still has better performance overall and is more track-oriented; indeed Autoblog found that the B7 could keep pace with a much smaller BMW M3 E92 Coupe.