2010 New York Auto Show Preview: 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive
BMW will be expanding its performance lineup at next week’s 2010 New York Auto Show with the launch of the all-wheel drive variant of the Alpina B7 sports sedan. Joining the regular B7, the all-new 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive, as it’s officially titled, will again be offered in standard- and long-wheelbase editions, and will enjoy the low-speed traction advantages that only xDrive all-wheel drive can provide.
Apart from its intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Alpina B7 xDrive is virtually identical to the regular B7 that made its debut at February’s 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
Both cars come powered by a 500 horsepower version of BMW’s potent 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 found in the regular 7-Series on which the B7 is based. Peak torque stands at 516 pound-feet.
Power is sent to the wheels via a six-speed Alpina SWITCH-TRONIC sport automatic transmission. The Switch-Tronic gearbox allows paddle-shifted manual mode with gearshifts taking just a few hundred milliseconds. The transmission and oil coolers are separated from the main cooling system to improve performance.
Expect pricing for the 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive to be set slightly higher than the $122,875 asking price for the standard wheelbase B7 with rear-wheel drive.
Also on show in New York will be several new or facelifted BMW models. These include the 2011 BMW 5-Series, and facelifted X5 and 3-Series Coupe and Convertible.
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1043722_2010-new-york-auto-show-preview-2011-bmw-alpina-b7-xdrive
Front-Wheel Drive BMW Confirmed for Small Car Segm
The rumours about BMW considering a new front-wheel-drive entry-level model that would be positioned and priced right under the current 1-Series has received official backing from the Bavarian automaker. The official announcement and confirmation comes from the BMW Chairman, Norbert Reithofe, at the Annual Accounts Press Conference.
“There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future,” he said. A week ago in his interview with the British magazine Autocar, Mr Reithofe had highlighted his plans of extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models and variants.
http://www.nitrobahn.com/news/front-wheel-drive-bmws-confirmed-for-small-car-segment/
2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
If the North American auto show season has an official kickoff party, the Los Angeles Auto Show is it. In addition to world debuts of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, 2011 Toyota Sienna and VW Up! Lite Concept, the 2009 LA Auto Show again played host to the Green Car of the Year announcement, which went to a diesel car for the second year in a row. The LA Auto Show is also a first chance to see and touch the cars unveiled around the world in the eight months since the New York Auto Show, which this year included jaw-droppers like the 2011 Lexus LFA and 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
