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BMW Alpina B7 – the closest you’ll get to an M7

The BMW Alpina B7 - now available in the US BMW has made it clear that they won’t be making an ‘M’ version of the 7 Series. I know, we’ve hear that all before with the X5, but they seem adamant. In fact, one of our readers questioned our story about ‘No BMW M7‘ a couple of months ago after his local dealer said the M7 was coming in Spring 2010.

VW Phaeton - the new one coming in 2015

A brand new Volkswagen Phaeton Mk2 will be launched in 2015, based on a new architecture being masterminded by cousins Audi. Dubbed VW631, the new VW Phaeton will be based on MLM Evo (modular longitudinal matrix) which makes provision for a plug-in hybrid option, an aluminium-intensive body structure and a much more advanced and less nose-heavy dynamic layout. Although VW chairman Martin Winterkorn has in the past black-flagged the Avantissimo (A8-based) and the Passat Variant Plus (A6-derived), there is still a lot to be said for a second more practical bodystyle in addition to the four-door notch which is almost compulsory in this segment.

Harley-Davidson to shutter Buell motorcycle brand, will sell Italian division

Harley-Davidson is axing two notable brands as it refocuses on its core business. The iconic American motorcycle producer said on Thursday that it will kill the 26-year-old Buell brand and will sell recently acquired Italian motorcycle company MV Agusta. The announcement came as Harley revealed its third-quarter financial results, which saw its earnings and sales slip as it deals with the global economic conditions.