Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOS ALPINA B7 TURBO: ENTHUSIAST AUTO GROUP
Many think that Alpina is a simple coach. And to a large extent it is. After all, all their cars are developed on the basis of BMW models. However, these have their own chassis numbers, so legally it is a car manufacturer recognized by the German state. An administrative reality that many find grating since, in reality, the Alpinas are improved versions of the standard BMWs.
Of course, some improved versions not only in the technical aspect, since their exclusivity makes the Alpina the most coveted vehicles. That is why seeing one for sale is not entirely easy, especially if we focus on creations as special as the B7 Turbo. Of this sports saloon made on the basis of a BMW E28, only thirty units were assembled, of which only four were fitted with a five-speed manual transmission.
The one you have in view is one of the latter. An example in perfect condition, housed for years in Japan, although it is now available for sale in the U.S. An Alpina capable of answering even the most critical of the brand thanks to its impressive performance. Features that made this B7 Turbo one of the most radical sports saloons of its time, capable of getting the colors out of sports cars like a Porsche 911.
ALPINA. A STORY THAT BEGINS WITH A CARBURATION STROKE
1965 saw the birth of Alpina from a very simple gesture: the change and tuning of carburettors. And this is exactly what the founder of the company, Burkard Bovensiepen, did when he changed the Solex carburettors of his BMW 1500 for other Weber brand ones. Thus he achieved not only an increase in the car's performance, but also the start of a brand that has developed some of the most radical BMW-based sports cars in history.
In fact, in 1970 Alpina won the European Touring Car Championship, having to his credit pilots like James Hunt, Niki Lauda or Jacky Ickx. As you can see, something with much more pedigree and substance than a simple single-brand modification company. Thus, the 70s spent discreetly trying to consolidate its sales network, something that achieved its award when in 1983 the German state finally recognized Alpina as a car manufacturer with its own entity.
Of course, always under the umbrella of a BMW. Undoubtedly, a history of collaboration that we can place in the same terms as the one starring Abarth and FIAT, although in the case of the Germans it is worth noting a really remarkable technological desire. Not surprisingly, Alpina was the first brand to offer electronic injection in all the vehicles in its range.
ALPINA B7 TURBO. A PRETTY SPECIAL BMW E28
Launched as a short wheelbase saloon, the BMW E28 was a great base for the Alpina B7 Turbo. A sporty interpretation of this four-door, which established itself as one of the fastest and most powerful cars in its category. Such a "Rare avis" powered by a 6-cylinder in-line 3420 cc engine, capable of delivering up to 330CV at 5700 rpm. Work on the engine was exhaustive: Mahle pistons, modified cylinder heads, new camshaft, modified ECU and of course KKK K27 Turbo.
On the weight we have not obtained fully verified data, but considering the heaviest figure we could set it at about 1.588 kilos. Something that is not bad at all, especially if we take into account the comfortable and complete equipment offered to its passengers. Passengers who, in addition to traveling in a certain degree of luxury, can enjoy the typical sensations provided by a rear-wheel drive BMW.
And it is that yes, it is not necessary to look at too many details to understand that the Alpina B7 Turbo is not only one of the most legendary sports sedans, but also a car that gathered all the experience of the brand within the competition. A real gem for lovers of… BMW? Alpina? Anyway, what difference does it make? Controversy aside about whether Alpina has enough reasons to be its own manufacturer ... The truth is that few vehicles like the B7 Turbo can generate so much expectation among fans of German sports cars.
