• MotorTrend Head to Head puts the F01 Alpina B7 against the new D4 Audi S8 and picks the S8 - Dyno results as well

                    
      		   
      Published on 10-28-2012 12:50 PM
      5 Comments Comments
      The Alpina B7 simply has to be used in a comparison with the Audi S8 since the BMW lineup has a major gap with no M7. Why no M7 when there are M SUV's? No explanation, the old argument about a heavy and low revving M car not fitting the brand strategy can no longer be used. So in comes Alpina to fill a niche with their B7 based on the 750i who gives the N63 V8 upgraded turbos and a new tune.


      The S8 is incredibly fast for a car of this size. MotorTrend last week got an 11.8@118 out of it in the 1/4 mile with 0-60 in 3.5 seconds thanks to the all wheel drive. The B7 also has all wheel drive as an option but MotorTrend is testing the rear wheel drive version of the car.

      This is the updated 540 horsepower version of the Alpina B7 with the N63tu V8. So on paper it has more than the Audi S8. It isn't faster in a straightline however as it runs the 1/4 mile in 12.6@113.6. THis is five MPH short and 8/10's short of the 11.8@118 the Audi S8 manages despite its horsepower and torque disadvantage on paper, incredible.

      The cars were dyno'd at the wheels which is something great to see in a comparison video, well done MotorTrend. The S8 put down 479 horsepower and 422 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. The S8 seems to be underrated quite a bit. The Alpina only managed 414 wheel horsepower and 437 pound-feet of torque making for a car that is overrated on paper. This explains the acceleration difference which clearly is not just due to all wheel drive helping put the power down.

      MotorTrend really likes the S8 more. They said the B7 has poor throttle response and also that the car feels big and heavy yet doesn't hide it anywhere near as well. The downsides on the S8 are the steering (traditional Audi weak spot) and the brake pedal feel.

      That said, MotorTrend feels the S8 is utterly fantastic. Audi has raised their game while BMW seems to have dropped the ball. What is going on?

      This article was originally published in forum thread: Audi S8 vs BMW Alpina B7! - Head 2 Head Episode 19 started by SpeedLimit? View original post
      Comments 5 Comments
      1. SpeedLimit?'s Avatar
        SpeedLimit? - 10-29-2012, 04:10 PM
        even though this was worked on my Alpina, am I right in saying this is the first time a turbocharged BMW was proven to be underrated?
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 10-29-2012, 05:33 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by SpeedLimit? Click here to enlarge
        even though this was worked on my Alpina, am I right in saying this is the first time a turbocharged BMW was proven to be underrated?
        Don't you mean overrated?
      1. DFM's Avatar
        DFM - 10-30-2012, 10:50 AM
        Coming from a multiple bmw owner, id take the S8. Seems like a more cohesive full size luxury super sedan
      1. leo985i's Avatar
        leo985i - 10-30-2012, 12:30 PM
        That S8 is just a monster for its size. Very impressive!!!!
      1. yage202's Avatar
        yage202 - 10-30-2012, 12:56 PM
        Hmmmm.... might have to investigate a trade. The wife won't buy a 2013 anything due to superstition, but I could trade for a 2014 if I start to soften her up now......hmmmm.