BMW Alpina B7 gets power boost for 2013

The 2013 BMW Alpina B7, the performance version of the German automaker's 7-series sedan, gets an additional 40 hp--and a more costly sticker price--for the new model year.

BMW plans to roll out the 2013 model at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August and begin sales soon thereafter.

Under the hood, power from the 4.4-liter V8 has been increased from 500 to 540 hp with the addition of BMW's throttle-less Valvetronic intake system. Torque rises to 538 lb-ft from 516 lb-ft.

The powertrain also gets a new eight-speed automatic from Alpina. BMW says the Alpina B7's top speed is limited to 194 mph by aerodynamic drag. You can equip the Alpina B7 with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

The Alpina B7 will also put a slight drain on your bank account. Prices start at $128,495 for a standard-wheelbase B7 and run all the way up to $135,395 for a long-wheelbase model with xDrive. All prices include shipping charges.

Check out the full press release below for all the details:

The 2013 BMW ALPINA B7 super-high performance luxury sedan with enhanced features, efficiency, and individuality for discriminating customers.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 15, 2012…. Today, BMW announced updates to the second generation of the successful BMW ALPINA B7 super-high performance luxury sedan with more performance, fresh design features, and improved efficiency. The new B7 is slated for a North American debut at the historic Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August and will go on-sale immediately thereafter. Pricing will be $127,600 (B7 Standard Wheelbase), $130,600 (B7 SWB with xDrive), $131,500 (B7 Long Wheelbase), and $134,500 (B7 LWB with xDrive).

The new BMW ALPINA B7 has been enhanced in-line with updates to the 2013 BMW 7 Series Sedans including more power, more performance, and more efficiency. The new B7 features 40 additional horsepower (now rated 540 hp) and 22 lb-ft more torque (up to 538 from 516 lb-ft) thanks to the addition of BMW's Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and a new ALPINA 8- speed high performance transmission. Top speed is now a fierce 194 mph (drag-limited, 193 mph with xDrive), up from the previous 175 mph. Acceleration drops into the low-mid-4-second range for all variants (4.3-4.4 seconds). The BMW ALPINA B7 Sedan remains the benchmark in terms of luxurious performance, chassis technology, and hand-finished exclusivity.

Each variant of the updated BMW ALPINA B7 (including Standard Wheelbase, Long Wheelbase, sDrive, and xDrive) will arrive with over 30 new parts which enhance the design and frontal aerodynamics to more effectively channel the cooling air required to manage the increased power output. New BMW kidney grilles, updated Xenon Adaptive headlights, LED front fog lights, and updated tail lights are also included. Other now-standard features will include ceramic secondary controls, engine Automatic Start-Stop, and the Active protection system. Optionally, the B7 Sedan will offer Full LED Headlights, Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound System, new exterior colors and interior upholstery choices in-line with the 7 Series update. Renewed BMW individual color and trim offerings complete the package. The appearance remains unmistakable on signature 21” ALPINA Classic 20-spoke wheels and stunning ALPINA Blue Metallic paint.

The BMW ALPINA B7 is available as a special order vehicle with capacity-limited production underscoring its exclusivity. The B7's body is manufactured in the BMW 7 Series factory (Plant Dingolfing) and hand-finished with the remaining ALPINA components at the ALPINA factory in Buchloe, Germany. This production sequence increases the production schedule by approximately two weeks. European Delivery at the BMW Welt delivery center is available for the BMW ALPINA B7.

By Seth Harrison