llanody: Alpina Bmw B7 2006

##title##

The E65 generated much controversy, due to its radical styling and iDrive user difficulties, so customers rushed to purchase its predecessor, the E38, before new E38s ran out of stock. Nonetheless, the E65 broke records to become the best-selling 7-series iteration ever, especially after its E66 2006 facelift.

Bmw Alpina B7 | Smart Cars

BMW Alpina B7 2006 - Front
The arrival of E65 7-Series heralded a new styling era for BMW with the work of chief designer Chris Bangle, as its sheetmetal contrasted drastically with the BMW's previous conservative styling. In particular, the E65's two-level rear end styling that features separate rear fenders with a "bustle-back" boot lid was derisively known as the "Bangle Butt" by critics. However, the "Bangle Butt" styling was actually designed by Adrian van Hooydonk, who had worked closed with Bangle on the E65. In fact, van Hooydonk's original 1998 sketch for the E65 was much more radical sleek fastback, but the final E65 profile was toned down considerably to a more conventional three-box sedan.

2006 BMW Alpina B7 - Rear

Early production E65s were fraught with problems, the vast majority of which were caused by functionality issues of iDrive. BMW repurchased a substantial number of 2002 and 2003 7 series cars in the USA. Subsequent software updates have largely cured these issues. Furthermore, BMW of North America extended the factory warranty on all 2002 and 2003 model year 7 series cars sold in the USA to 6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) from the original 4-year or 50,000-mile (80,000 km) coverage. The UK however was only covered by the standard 3 yr/unlimited mileage warranty on this model.

BMW Alpina B7 Wallpapers

The E65/E66 were the only BMW cars that are available with the top of the line engines; the 6.0 litre V12 petrol (N73) and 4.4 litre V8 turbodiesel (M67D44), badged as the 760i/Li and 745d/Ld, respectively.

The 2006 BMW ALPINA B7 brings

Alpina BMW B7 (2006) - Front

There is no BMW M version 7 Series, as BMW did not want it to be powered by a high-revving engine like the rest of the M lineup. However, Alpina was permitted to produce a high-performance version known as the Alpina B7, based on the short wheelbase BMW 750i. The B7 is built at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, alongside BMW's regular 7 Series.

2006 BMW Alpina B7 interior

Alpina BMW B7 - Interior, 2006

2006 BMW Alpina B7
Compared to the BMW 760Li's naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 which was deemed too heavy to have a sporty offshoot, the B7 uses a supercharged version of the 4.4-litre V8 found in the BMW 750i/Li. The centrifugal supercharger delivers 11.6 psi (0.8 bar) of intercooled boost, and the engine has lower-compression-ratio pistons as well as a stronger crankshaft and connecting rods. The output is 500 hp (373 kW) and 516 pound-feet (700 N·m) of torque.

2006 BMW Alpina B7 - Side

Alpina b7

The Alpina B7 was widely credited with being able to hold its own against top performing offerings from Mercedes (including AMG) such as the S600 and S63 AMG, Audi A8L W12 quattro and S8 5.2 FSI quattro, the Bentley Flying Spur, and Jaguar XJ Super V8, while BMW's own flagship BMW 760Li was considered uncompetitive. Car and Driver remarked; "How's this for thrust? The B7 ties the Audi R8, which is 1,100 pounds (500 kg) lighter, at 12.8 seconds through the quarter-mile, at which point the gargantuan Alpina starts pulling away. The 551 hp (411 kW) Bentley Flying Spur can't keep up, and Audi's 450 hp (336 kW) S8 is so much slower it's hardly worth mentioning. To 60 mph (97 km/h) and through the quarter, the B7 is within 0.2 second of the 510 hp (380 kW), twin-turbo V-12 Mercedes S600. Warning to Corvette drivers: You will not be able to ditch the 68 7-series connoisseurs who are already on the loose."