Alpina's B7 the next starter for Oz

The In Motion Group, the distribution channel for Alpina in Australia, has unveiled the B7 to a small group of Aussie journalists attending the official launch of the Alpina brand in Australia.

Already committed to selling the B3 sedan and Touring (wagon), plus the B4 Bi-Turbo coupe and convertible, the Alpina distributor has already completed ADR (Australian Design Rule) homologation for the large, powerful sedan, but cannot as yet supply pricing for the vehicle, which is based on the 7 series BMW and is powered by Alpina's own version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

Fitted with Mahle pistons, the B7 engine produces 447kW and 800Nm. Suspension and steering have been fettled by Alpina also, and the 21-inch alloy wheels are fitted with conventional Michelin tyres – ie: not run-flats. According to Andreas Bovensiepen, son of Alpina's founder, Burkard Bovensiepen, the use of conventional tyres saves up to 4.5kg of unsprung weight for each wheel (2kg for the tyre itself and 2.5kg for the wheel). This enhances the vehicle's dynamics.

Patrick Fielding, General Manager for the In Motion Group, told motoring.com.au that he was not in a position to discuss pricing and full specification for the new model, although there seems to be little left to negotiate with the factory, since there are minimal options available for the B7.

"We put everything in the car," Fielding explained. In light of a current (G12) 750Li costing over $300,000, don't expect much change from $400,000 for the B7.

Authorised BMW Australia dealers will accept an order for the B7 right now, even without the price being finalised or announced, Fielding said, but the wait for the car could be a while, he also revealed. An order placed now would require a slot in BMW's 7 Series production plan at the Dingolfing factory. The earliest slot available would be February of next year, and Alpina would need to work its magic on the car the following month, before shipping it to Australia. The earliest likely arrival on that basis is May or June, says Fielding.

Of the other products in Alpina's range, Fielding says the B5 (Alpina's take on the imminent G30-generation 5 Series) is "a distinct possibility", and could be launched globally within about "two months" of the donor car. But the B6 is ruled out for Australia in the current generation, due to the current platform's late model life status.

Fielding mentioned that diesel Alpinas are also a possibility ("We'll look at the viability of every case"), but the X3-based XD3 is pretty much out of the question for the local market.

According to Fielding, it would have to be shipped from BMW's US factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina across the Atlantic to Alpina for modification, before further shipping to bring it to Australia. That's one ship too many for a viable business case.