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"         The famous Alpina name will once again grace a U.S.-market . This latest BMW Alpina, a 2011 model called the B7, is based on the new-for-; you&amp;#039;ll recall BMW brought over a select number of supercharged Alpina B7s for the 2007 and 2008 model years, these cars based on the previous-generation .   Since the company&amp;#039;s inception in the 1960s, Alpina&amp;#039;s focus has been simple: &amp;quot;To take an already fine-performing BMW and make it even better.&amp;quot; And that&amp;#039;s what Alpina\u2014located in the small Bavarian city of Buchloe outside of Munich\u2014has done with the B7, improving the engine, handling, aerodynamics and styling of the 7 Series.   Using the 750i&amp;#039;s 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged direct-injected V-8 as a starting point, Alpina increased power by 100 bhp (to an even 500 bhp) and torque by 66 lb.-ft. (to 516 lb.-ft.) through intercooler optimization (each has been enlarged by about 35 percent), increased turbo boost and high-performance pistons. A stainless-steel Alpina exhaust, with two polished &amp;quot;double-tailpipes,&amp;quot; rounds out the drivetrain modifications.   Available in regular or long-wheelbase versions, the rear-drive B7 comes only with BMW&amp;#039;s 6-speed automatic transmission, albeit with Alpina&amp;#039;s Switch-Tronic control that allows manual shifting via buttons on the back of the Alpina steering wheel. BMW claims the B7 can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.   On the handling front, Alpina &amp;quot;tuned&amp;quot; the 7 Series&amp;#039; electronically adjustable suspension (called Dynamic Damping Control in BMW-speak) for the B7, while adding specially calibrated springs that lower the front ride height by 0.6 in. and the rear by 0.4 in. The B7&amp;#039;s 21-in. wheels\u2014a new iteration of Alpina&amp;#039;s signature 20-spoke design\u2014are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, size 245/35R-21 at the front and 285/30R-21 at the rear. A new front fascia and rear spoiler reduce lift by a claimed 30 percent and 15 percent, respectively.   In Alpina tradition, the interior of the B7 has been upgraded with a hand-stitched leather-covered steering wheel, blue-illuminated door sills and Myrtle Burl wood trim; Alpina Piano Lacquer trim is optional.   The 2011 BMW Alpina B7 will be available in all the usual BMW 7 Series colors, as well as Alpina&amp;#039;s special blue metallic paint (the purist&amp;#039;s choice). The B7 will make its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show, and will go on sale at BMW dealers this spring. The standard-wheelbase Alpina B7 will start at $122,875, with the long-wheelbase version commanding $126,775. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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