2007 BMW Alpina B7 Brief

BMW Alpina B7 – 2007 Chicago Auto Show Brief: Call it an M7 if you want to, if doing so makes you glow warm and happy on the inside. Go ahead, for the BMW Alpina B7 is as close as you’re probably gonna get to what an M7 would be. And, in fact, it may be even better, seeing as Alpina is generally known for a smoother application of power and this is the flagship for the BMW brand. It’s far more exclusive, anyway, what with that numbered plaque screwed into the roof inside the cabin. But you don't buy this for the plaque, you buy for the 500 beautiful German horses that come under the hood. If so, act fast -- according to BMW, we’ll get just 200 copies of the Alpina B7 for the 2007 model year, all going for $115,695.

What’s Under the Hood

A supercharged version of BMW’s 4.4-liter V8 engine powers the Alpina B7, making for a stunning 500 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a torque rating of 516 lb.-ft. at 4,250 rpm. All that power is delivered to the ground via a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted controls, which sends the B7 screaming from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, riding on Alpina’s somewhat gaudy 21-inch wheels. There’s also a special body kit that includes a rear spoiler.

What We Think

Audi has the S8. Jaguar has the XJR. Mercedes-Benz has the S65 AMG. Now BMW has its very own high-powered, limited-edition, six-figure luxury sport sedan to compete against these cars and to generate interest in the oft-maligned and soon-to-be-replaced 7 Series. This is a terrific send off.

Photos courtesy of Brian Chee