“Holy %@@#&!%$#!!!!”
More than a second or two at full throttle from any sort of clip will get you in trouble. The opened-up B7 plows occupants into their seatbacks as if they’ve been body checked, and zero to sixty comes up in well under five seconds. An oil cooler, transmission cooler, reinforced drive axles and other add-ons support the added athleticism.
Oh, and with a retuned suspension system and a more rear-biased AWD torque split, there’s some surprising handling available for those interested in tossing their luxury rocket sled around some backroads, too.
But the B7 isn’t a beast. It handles and accelerates like one-- but the vast majority of the time, it feels and sounds like a luxury spa inside of a library.
Despite engineering for prolonged cruising at 200 plus, it’s the tremendous comfort and exclusivity that will be the big draws to the B7 in locales with speed limits. And, of course, the rip-your-face-off acceleration that’s available when nobody’s looking.
A gentle weapon
Complaints included limited outward visibility thanks to the thick seats and window pillars, and a few too many irritating warning beepers upon vehicle start up. Nothing too major.
So, how much for one of the world’s most unique, rocket-powered, massively comfortable performance sedans? The ALPINA B7, as tested, will relieve its lucky owners of about $152 grand.
Stay in school, kids.
More than a second or two at full throttle from any sort of clip will get you in trouble. The opened-up B7 plows occupants into their seatbacks as if they’ve been body checked, and zero to sixty comes up in well under five seconds. An oil cooler, transmission cooler, reinforced drive axles and other add-ons support the added athleticism.
Oh, and with a retuned suspension system and a more rear-biased AWD torque split, there’s some surprising handling available for those interested in tossing their luxury rocket sled around some backroads, too.
But the B7 isn’t a beast. It handles and accelerates like one-- but the vast majority of the time, it feels and sounds like a luxury spa inside of a library.
Despite engineering for prolonged cruising at 200 plus, it’s the tremendous comfort and exclusivity that will be the big draws to the B7 in locales with speed limits. And, of course, the rip-your-face-off acceleration that’s available when nobody’s looking.
A gentle weapon
Complaints included limited outward visibility thanks to the thick seats and window pillars, and a few too many irritating warning beepers upon vehicle start up. Nothing too major.
So, how much for one of the world’s most unique, rocket-powered, massively comfortable performance sedans? The ALPINA B7, as tested, will relieve its lucky owners of about $152 grand.
Stay in school, kids.
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| The ALPINA B7, as tested, will relieve its lucky owners of about $152 grand. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
2011 BMW 7 Series Alpina B7 xDrive
2011 BMW 7 Series Alpina B7 xDrive
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