BMW Alpina B7 will make a showing in Chicago

Though the BMW Alpina B7 was launched almost a year ago, the highly tuned performance limo will get an official unveiling at next week’s Chicago Auto Show. Established back in 1964, Alpina is a German tuning house based in Bavaria and is an official and approved tuner of BMW cars, taking the regular production version and adding both performance and visual upgrades. Its 2006 BMW Alpina B7 provides the advanced technology and polarizing design of the 7-series with a 500hp supercharged V8 under the bonnet.

With the standard six-speed auto, the force-fed limo reaches 60mph from rest in lonely 4.8seconds. Final output from the 4.4L 90 degree V8 is 500hp at 5,500rpm and 516 lbs.-ft. at 4,250rpm. Completing the package are a set of 21in Alpina signature wheels with Z-rated performance tires, plus a sport-tuned suspension with active roll bars. Only 200 cars were originally scheduled for the US and there’s been no word if any more models have been earmarked for shipment.

High-res images and press release after the jump.



PRESS RELEASE:

BMW ALPINA B7: BMW and ALPINA, Germany's Renowned Performance Specialists, Create a New High Performance 7 Series Model

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 16, 2006... Committed to developing the best performing vehicles in the luxury market, BMW with ALPINA has created a special high performance version of BMW’s 7 Series luxury sedan. The 2006 BMW ALPINA B7 brings together the luxury, pioneering design, and advanced technology of the 7 Series Sedan with the scintillating performance of a supercharged, 500hp V-8 engine.

To power the BMW ALPINA B7, ALPINA specially developed a higher-performance version of BMWís 4.4-liter, 90-degree V-8 engine and mated it to a 6-speed automatic transmission featuring steering wheel mounted shift controls. The motor produces 500 horsepower at 5,500 rpm along with maximum torque of 516 lbs.-ft. at 4,250 rpm, and propels the B7 from 0-60 mph in a mere 4.8 seconds. ALPINA 21-inch wheels carry Z-rated performance tires, while the sport-tuned suspension includes Active Roll Stabilization. The B7 aerokit includes a rear spoiler to improve stability, handling, and performance at high speeds.

ALPINA was established in 1964 as an official and approved tuner of BMW automobiles. Their tradition is to take production BMWs and make them even more appealing to connoisseurs of automotive finery.

With this new model, BMW will raise the benchmark for the segment in terms of performance, refinement, technology, and luxury. Approximately 200 US-version cars are planned for the 2006 model year, with a release date in July 2006. The BMW ALPINA B7 has a manufacturers suggested retail price of $115,695.