The Alpina name classically ushers to mind fantastic super-sedans; in the past, the brand has brought us some truly wild and wonderful variations on BMWs best designs.Now, however, its going to play with BMWs X7 SUV. Yeesh.According to an interview with Automobile, Alpina CEO Andreas Bovensiepen confirmed the tuning house was turning its attention to the X7, but didnt reveal many details further.BMW itself isnt going to touch the X7 with any M performance parts, but Alpina has a history of touching what the Bavarian brand wont, even going back as far as the first 7 Series.Currently, Alpina builds the B7, a hotted-up version of the latest 7 Series with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 rated modestly at 600 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. A sport exhaust also helps the big motor breathe a bit better, and the track-tuned suspension makes it more of a performer and less of a couch. Signature Alpina 21-spoke rims are also present. So if the B7 is what Alpina does to a big, luxury sedan, we can guess the same tricks are likely to end up on the SUV. Currently, the fastest X7 that BMW makes is the M50i, which has 523 hp and 553 lb.-ft. coming from that same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. Highway speeds happen from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds, so that number would surely drop once Alpina gets its hands on it.Alpina already offers tuned versions of the X3 and X4, so the X7 probably isnt too farfetched. Bovensiepen also said Alpina might be turning its tune toward the 8 Series Gran Coupe to fill the space left by the B6 Gran
Origin: Alpina to stick its badge on a tuned BMW X7 SUV
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Audi’s new S6 and S7 go diesel in Europe, but stick with gas in Canada
Static photo, Colour: Daytona greyAudi Audi has already released the A6 and A7, but now the so-called performance versions are here in the form of the S6 and S7, which are a little different depending which side of the pond you’re on. In Europe, the sole engine option is a diesel-powered 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with a 48-volt electrical system that powers a supercharger. Some 349 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque is all you get with the oil-burner, enough to get the huge Audi to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds in S6 guise; the S7 and S6 Avant get there a little slower at 5.1 seconds. We all know Audi has done well in LeMans with its diesel race car, but nobody on the street cares about that. We want revs and horsepower, and the diesel version just isn’t going to deliver that. Luckily for us in North America, we don’t have to suffer. The diesel will be left off the plate on this side of the pond in favour of a gasoline-powered 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 that makes 450 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque; a 48-volt electrical system is also on the table, again powering the same supercharger. Audi has not released the full performance figures for the gasoline engine in the S6 or S7, but we don’t expect them to change drastically. On top of the new engine options, the S6 and S7 now feature four-wheel steering to make up for the lack of V8. Inside, a new digital gauge cluster and touchscreen dash showcase the new technology present for 2020. Although the V6 will never make as nice a soundtrack as the V8, the new car is sure to be faster and more
Origin: Audi’s new S6 and S7 go diesel in Europe, but stick with gas in Canada
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