Weekend Wheels: BMWs don’t come more exclusive than this
BMW’s 612-hp Alpina B8 Gran Coupe offers pace with grace by Howard Walker BMW design has gone a little, shall we say eccentric, of late. All chronically-swollen kidney grilles, creased and crumpled bodywork, and cartoonish proportions. Case in point, the all-new iX electric sport-ute which looks like it came from the Etch-a-Sketch of some sugared-up four-year-old. But there’s one design masterpiece in the burgeoning BMW line-up that never fails to spin heads and deliver endless ooohs and ahhhs. That would be the stunning 8 Series Gran Coupe. This sleek, sensuous four-door fastback, with its low-slung, bulldog stance, raked-back windshield and swoopy roofline, is one of the most gorgeous automobiles money can buy. Period. Of course, there’s one way of increasing the appeal of the 8 Series Gran Coupe even further – and ensuring you become part of an ultra-exclusive group of owners. And that’s opting for the Alpina version. Excuse the CliffsNotes here, but Alpina is BMW’s performance division – kinda like Mercedes’ AMG set-up, but on a way smaller scale. These days fewer than 1,700 Alpinas a year are built, split between the 7 Series-based B7, the honking X7-based XB7 and the B8 Gran Coupe. Less than 400 find their way to the US. All three models are developed by Alpina, built by BMW, and, here in the States, sold exclusively by BMW dealers and backed with a full BMW warranty. This latest 612-horsepower $140,000 Alpina B8 Gran Coupe I’ve been driving, is the purest of the three and without doubt, the most-coveted performance BMW in production. Yes there’s a 617-horsepower M8 Competition Gran Coupe that’s faster, more hardcore and around $10,000 cheaper. But what the Alpina delivers is staggering performance coupled with true luxury and refinement. And exclusivity. See it out on the street and the B8 is instantly recognizable with those trademark 20-spoke, 21-inch Alpina alloys at each corner, wrapped in custom Pirelli rubber. Those and the bright, cobalt-blue brake calipers ready to clamp down on rotors the size of family-size pizzas. Bodywork changes include a re-worked front bumper with bigger, air-gulping intakes, and a new lower apron-wearing that distinctive Alpina script. At the rear, there’s a sleek decklid spoiler and a quartet of fire-breathing ovoid tailpipes attached to a unique, Alpina-developed exhaust. Yes, you have a choice of 13 colors, but why would anyone stray from the trademark Alpina Green Metallic of our test car, or the equally gorgeous Alpina Metallic Blue? Inside, it’s all glove-soft Merino leather and black walnut trim, together with an almost comically-thick Alpina wheel with signature blue and green stitching. A somewhat quirky addition is the laser-etched, crystal glass shift knob embossed with the Alpina logo. Very bling. But it’s the beating heart under the hood that helps make this Alpina Gran Coupe so special. While it’s the same twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 used in the standard 850i Gran Coupe, Alpina ups the horsepower to 612. But more importantly, max torque increases to a mighty 590 pound-feet. As you might expect, it’s quick. Blisteringly, rock-out-of-a-catapult, quick. Quick as in standstill to 60 in 3.3 seconds, with forward motion not ceasing until the speedo needle is showing 201 mph. Coupled to an Alpina-programmed eight-speed ZF automatic, shifts are lightening-fast and light-switch responsive. Alpina’s tuning wizards also scattered their pixie dust all over the stock suspension, active anti-roll bars, xDrive all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering to ensure the B8 corners like it’s running on invisible rails. But what truly sets the car apart is the stellar quality of its ride. Whereas the M8 Competition Gran Coupe will chatter teeth and jiggle eyeballs through its punishing, jarring ride, the Alpina soaks up lumps and bumps with astonishing alacrity. Performance with refinement. Now what a concept.
Autos: The Sarasota Studio
The Sarasota Studio |1518 State Street | Sarasota | 941-444-3510 | thesarasotastudio.com At The Sarasota Studio, a division of the Dimmitt Automotive Group that opened in downtown Sarasota late last year, clients won’t find rows and rows of cars from which to choose. In fact, they won’t even find a car lot. “It’s a really cool downtown location with a different type of vibe,” said Todd vanHerwynen of The Sarasota Studio. “We’re not your typical car dealership.” “We’re a very unique, very unusual showroom,” said Liz Manes of The Sarasota Studio. “We’re a beautiful, large, open industrial space with polished concrete floors and exposed beams. The artwork on the walls is from State of the Arts Gallery across the street.” Just as the gallery across the street, Liz likens The Sarasota Studio to a venue in which to look at beautiful pieces of art. “Just art you can drive,” she laughed. In fact, the space is so appealing that Liz and Todd have hosted sev-eral small meetings and group events. “We really want to be a part of the community and be a part of the weave of Sarasota,” said Liz. “We’re right in the heart of downtown Sarasota, near the ballet, the museums, the galleries and restaurants,” Liz continued. “We’re so different, but so well-received. We bring a different blend of art to the area.” It’s not only the studio’s appearance that differentiates it from other car dealerships in the area, however; it’s the car buying experience as well. “Liz and I are the only ones at the studio,” explained Todd. “Everyone who walks in is going to be introduced to both of us.” “It’s a very low-pressure, informal type of meeting when someone comes into the studio,” added Liz. “We’re here to change the tone of what it might be to purchase a car.” That low-pressure, informal attitude extends to the car buying experience, too. Todd explained that clients won’t find the typical back and forth of buying a car, but rather he and Liz try and do what’s best for their clients. Dimmitt Automotive Group is an authorized dealer of Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and McLaren. The studio on State Street can display up to 22 ultra-luxury/exotic pre-owned automobiles in the showroom, and Liz and Todd have access to the full inventory of cars available through the Dimmitt Automotive Group.
Autos: Rolls-Royce Dawn
The 2016 model year heralds the launch of something new and greatly anticipated: Dawn is arriving, thanks to Rolls-Royce. At first glance you might think this is simply a Wraith sans the roof, but you would be mistaken. The factory claims that only 30 percent of Dawn’s components are shared with Wraith, and that this new convertible is that state of the art in open air motoring. From the rear hinged doors to the deck lid and trunk, the movement of each panel is done electronically and silently, with a level of grace not found from any other manufacturer. With one touch, the roof quietly begins its delicate disappearing act until it is stowed under the classic teakwood deck. Speaking of the fancy woodwork, English craftspeople spend countless hours to achieve the proper bookmatched grain. Acres of hand sewn leather compliment the polished aluminum controls ensure that every surface is worthy enough to chauffeur the Spirit of Ecstasy. Nestled just behind the famous flying lady is the latest iteration of their big twelve cylinder. This twin-turbo powerplant has direct injection to deliver 563 horsepower and 575 foot-pounds of torque. Thanks to that impressive level of power, 60 mph arrives in less than 5 seconds. You might be expecting a less than stellar fuel economy rating, but Rolls-Royce say that Dawn is capable of 19.9 mpg. No details have been overlooked; even the soft top has French seams for a smooth exterior. The name foretells the beginning of a new era at Rolls-Royce; and if Dawn is the measure of a modern luxury convertible, we are excited for what’s coming next.