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Tokyo 2009: Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo Long Wheelbase

Filed under: Wheels


The Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo Long Wheelbase is for when merely long isn't long enough. There is already an Alpina B7 based on the normal wheelbase BMW 750i, and that car is 16.7 feet long -- but come now, what are you supposed to do with that? Curl up into the fetal position when you want to go somewhere? Take classes at Cirque du Soleil so you can contort yourself into a rear cabin that offers a meager 38.4 inches of rear legroom?

No. What you do is buy the long wheelbase version built on the 750Li. It adds six more inches in back so you can stretch out -- you know, live like a real person, not some frightened armadillo. Your discernment will be rewarded with Alpina's fettled version of BMW's 4.4-liter V8, adding a couple of turbos for 507 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque. That gets you and your white whale sixty in 4.8 seconds, just 0.1 second longer than the guy in a regular wheelbase B7.

But it's not like either of you will notice: you'll be too busy trying to finalize your hostile takeover of Samoa, he'll be too busy trying to figure out how to extricate himself from his Lilliputian conveyance. Alpina hasn't announced pricing, but if you want one, here's our advice: bring a lot of money.


BMW X6 Hybrid To Be World's Most Powerful Gas-Electric Vehicle

Filed under: Wheels

BMW ActiveHybrid X6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

High performance hybrid – an oxymoron? Not according to BMW, as the upcoming BMW X6 ActiveHybrid will be the most powerful hybrid in history with its 480 peak horsepower and diesel-like plateau of 575 lb-ft of torque. That's one muscular hybrid.

That impressive powertrain consists of twin electric motors (delivering 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively) and a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. All those horses will be corralled through a seven-speed dual-mode transmission and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The run to sixty will take just 5.4 seconds and the top speed will be limited to 130 miles per hour.

The EPA has yet to test the vehicle, but the German automaker is estimating its X6 Hybrid will return a 20-percent fuel mileage improvement on average over the standard twin-turbo X6. That should mean about 18 miles per gallon combined here in the States. The official public debut is scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and the sale date is slated for four-quarter 2009. Click past the break for the almost comically-detailed press release.



[Source: BMW]

BMW Launches 7 Series High Security

Filed under: Wheels

BMW 760Li High Security - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has just announced two new versions of its range-topping 7 Series sedan that promise to offer more safety to their occupants than anything this side of an armored truck. Available in both 750Li and V12-powered 760Li guises, the new 7 Series High Security comes equipped with thick steel doors, roof, pillars, front footwell and separation wall between passenger and luggage compartments along with fully glazed and bulletproof glass.

As befitting a BMW, the 7 Series High Security has plenty of power to move its prodigious mass. The 750Li High Security can scoot to sixty miles per hour in under eight seconds while its bigger brother can do that deed in just over six. Further, since these models were developed alongside the regular-grade 7 Series, the platform was built to handle the additional weight from the start. As such, BMW claims its High Security sedans retain the brand's sporty driving dynamics.

Still not feeling safe? You can always check the option for the dual machine gun compartment in the center console. Check out our gallery below and see the official press release after the break.


[Source: BMW]


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