Audi S8 vs. BMW Alpina B7: Which One is the King of the Road?

For decades now, German carmakers have dominated the premium segments from top to bottom with only a few notable exceptions questioning their 'authorita' along the way.

Two of the most successful luxury brands from the land of engineering excellence are BMW and Audi, both of which offer a high performance version of their flagship limousines.

Audi chose to go alone to create the S8 sports sedan, which it equipped with the most potent version of its new 4.0-liter TFSI V8 pushing out 513hp (520PS) and 479 lb-ft (648Nm) of peak torque towards all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel drive system.

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2013 BMW Alpina B7 Facelift gets More Power and a New 8-Speed Automatic

The recent presentation of the updated for the 2013 model year BMW 7-Series range inevitably led to the facelift of the sportier Alpina B7, which was revealed today in advance of its world premiere at the historic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August.

In addition to being enhanced with all the styling and technological updates to the 2013 7-Series sedan, the Alpina B7 also benefits from improvements to its powertrain.

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Alpina's New 540HP BMW B6 BiTurbo Coupe Warms up the Tokyo Motor Show

The B3 GT3 limited edition isn't the only Alpina making its debut at this week's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show as the boutique automaker also brought along the coupe version of its B6 BiTurbo based on the latest BMW 650i.

Alpina has taken BMW's 4.4-liter V8 turbo engine to the next level with a series of upgrades including an intercooled dual turbo system and the addition a new titanium exhaust system developed in conjunction with exhaust specialists Akrapovic, that all help to lift output to 540-horsepower at 5,500 rpm and peak torque to 700Nm (516 lb-ft).

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Tokyo Show: New BMW Alpina B3 GT3 is One Mean Green Machine

Famed BMW tuning house Alpina showed up at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with a world premiere, the limited edition B3 GT3 of which only 99 examples will be built, each carrying a price tag of €90.000 (approx. US$120,000) in Germany.

The B3 GT3 is based on the regular 3-Series Coupe and it uses a slightly modified version the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six found in Alpina's B3 S Bi-Turbo sedan, coupe and touring models.

Thanks to a different exhaust system and a titanium rear silencer made by Akrapovic the three-liter unit gains 8 more ponies lifting output to 408-horses at 6,000rpm and 540Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque at 4500rpm.

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IAA 2011: Alpina Charges into Frankfurt with the B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio

The pride and joy of the Alpina stand in Frankfurt is the new B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio based on the new BMW 650i Convertible.

The German tuning house has beaten its factory support to the punch with a high-performance version of the roofless 6-Series that boasts an uprated 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine generating 507-horsepower and 700Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of peak torque between 3,000 and 4,750 rpm.

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New Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo with 507HP to Bow in Frankfurt

For more than four decades now, German tuning house Alpina has been modifying BMWs cars. The Bavarian luxury carmaker has a tight relationship with the tuner going as far distributing the high-performance models through its official network.

Alpina's newest creation is the B6 Bi-Turbo Cabrio based on the latest 6-Series Convertible, which will make its world premiere at the rapidly approaching Frankfurt auto show on September 13.

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Video: BMW Alpina B6 GT3 Flies Over Safety Barriers and Crashes Onto Concrete Wall

The spectators at last weekend’s ADAC GT Masters championship at the Nürburgring witnessed a horrific crash involving Alex Plenagl and his BMW Alpina B6 GT3 racecar when the driver lost control of the vehicle and strayed off the course at a high speed.

Plenagl’s Alpina flew over the safety barriers, passed through a BMW sign and crashed onto the concrete wall.

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U Spy: Is this the New Alpina B6 Based on the 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe?

Back in April, BMW lifted the covers off its spanking new 2012 6-Series Coupe at the Shanghai Auto Show in China. Having already shown the Convertible version, the only model left to complete the series is the presentation of the M6 in both coupe and open top forms. Well, at least in absolute terms, as we’ve yet to hear from BMW’s longtime tuner, Alpina, which is considered a manufacturer in its own right.

And that’s where Carscoop reader Michael from Germany steps in. Michael spotted this partially camouflaged 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe parked somewhere in Munich. And while the lack of any aero parts such as the typical M-style front bumper with larger air vents minimize the possibility of it being the new M6, there are two elements that make us believe it could be the upcoming Alpina B6.

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Geneva 2011: Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo Touring is a 5-Series Estate on Steroids

Catering to the needs of those looking for an über fast premium station wagon, longtime BMW tuning house Alpina has developed the B5 Bi-Turbo Touring based on the station wagon version of the latest 5-Series. With 507HP and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) under the hood and up to 1,670 liters of storage space, Alpina's creations is a party animal at the front while keeping it...professional at the back.

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New Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Based on 2011 5-Series Coming to Goodwood

Independent BMW customizer Alpina has published the first official sketch of its upcoming B5 Bi-Turbo ahead of the sports saloon world premiere at next month's 'Goodwood Festival of Speed' event in the UK.

As the car's name suggests, the B5 Bi-Turbo is based on the new 2011 BMW 5-Series sedan. So far, Alpina is keeping a tight lid on details about the car, but if the company's previous and current models are anything to go by, then the B5 Bi-Turbo could be all the M5 you'll ever want.

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New BMW Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo with 400 Ponies Available for Order in the UK

Following its recent world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the new BMW 335i-based Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo is now available for order in the UK with first deliveries to start in July.

Offered in four-door saloon, Touring, Coupe and hardtop Convertible forms, the new B3 S comes with a modified 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight six upgraded to deliver a hefty 400HP at 6,000 rpm and 540Nm or 398.3 lb-ft of peak torque.

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2011 BMW Alpina B7 with 500HP to go on Sale in the U.S. this Spring

The Alpina-prepped B7 sedan will be returning to BMW's U.S. lineup this year offering American buyers an alternative to Mercedes-Benz's S-Class AMG models. Boasting a bevy of performance and styling upgrades over the standard 7-Series sedan, the Alpina B7 is probably the closest thing you'll get to an M7, which as you already know, BMW has no plans to build.

The second Alpina B7 to be sold in the States after the first generation model that was offered as a limited edition for the 2007 and 2008 model years, will be available in both short- and long-wheelbase models.

The formal introduction of the car in the U.S. will take place at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show in February, and go on sale in Spring of 2010.

BMW's official performance partner has fitted the B7 with a modified version of the Bavarian firm's twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with direct-injection that delivers 500-horsepower (compared to the standard 750i's 400HP V8) and a hefty 516 lb-ft (700Nm) of torque.

Linked to a six-speed sport automatic transmission with Sport and Manual modes, the V8 unit accelerates the rear-wheel drive sedan from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.5 seconds.

Alpina also recalibrated the car's Dynamic Damping Control and Active Roll Stabilization while the B7 sits 15mm lower up front and 10mm at the back thanks to the new, shorter springs. In addition, the Bavarian firm notes that the stability control now allows noticeably more slip at the driven wheels.

The B7 rides on newly styled 21-inch alloy wheels shod in MICHELIN PS2 tires size 245/35 R21 at the front and 285/30 R21 at the rear.

On the outside, the B7 is fitted with front and rear aprons, and a boot-lid spoiler which are said to reduce lift at the front by 30% and rear by15%.

As for the interior, the 7-Series-based model has been upgraded with blue illuminated door sill trims, an Alpina SWITCH-TRONIC steering wheel in hand-stitched LAVALINA leather, Black-Panel LCD screen instrument cluster branded with ALPINA and specific decorative trim. An additional ALPINA plaque indentifying the car is mounted on the inner roof panel just ahead of the sunroof

Prices for the new BMW Alpina B7 will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

New BMW Alpina B7 BiTurbo Long Makes World Debut at Tokyo Show

Alpina was one of only two foreign car brands (the other one being Lotus) to make its way to this year's Tokyo Motor Show floors. The BMW customizer brought along several vehicles, the most important being the new Alpina B7 BiTurbo Long as it had its world premiere. As you've probably figured out by now, the only difference between this model and the B7 BiTurbo that was first saw in Geneva is that it is based on the long wheelbase BMW 7-Series offering a few more inches of space for the rear passengers.

Like the 'base' Alpina B7 BiTurbo, it too features a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 producing 507 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of peak torque thanks to the larger turbos and a new intercooler. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a tweaked six-speed automatic transmission.

Other highlights include a subtle aero kit with front and rear aprons, and a discreet boot lid spoiler, plus a bespoke interior, 21-inch alloy wheels and a retuned suspension.

Photo Credits go to our Tokyo Motor Show reporter, Phil Alex