Wald International Presents the F01 BMW 7-Series “Black Bison” Edition

After having unveiled numerous other Black Bison Edition-labeled cars in the past, including the Bentley Continetal Flying Spur and the W212 Mercedes E-Class, Japanese tuning firm Wald International has now applied the styling treatment to the latest F01 BMW 7-Series.

The Black Bison Edition aero-kit adds a new front bumper with a lip spoiler and LED daytime running lights and a sportier but more complex-looking rear apron with a diffuser and an LED braking light. True, we would have preferred a matte finish for the 23-inch Wald Renovatio alloys and could do without the "muffler cutter" tailpipes, as they somehow remind us of those found on the Lexus IS-F, but, nevertheless, BMW's designers could learn a thing or two from the Japanese tuner's styling department.

Lowered side skirts along with a pair of spoilers on the roof and trunk lid, plus fake wing vents that cut into the doors complete the package. The Black Bison 7-Series is anything but black, though the white paintjob does makes it look a bit more imposing than the standard model.

Wald International didn't release any information on pricing and availability.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

BMW Adds xDrive AWD Option on all 5-Series GTs and the 740d

BMW is completing the range of the new 5-Series Gran Turimso with the introduction of its so-called "intelligent" xDrive all-wheel-drive technology that will be offered on all engine variants of the crossover model.

Beginning from June 2010, 5-Series GT customers will have the choice of two versions of the car featuring xDrive, the 530d with a 245HP inline-six diesel, and the 550i with a 407HP 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 petrol.

According to the German firm, the 550i GT xDrive accelerates to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.4 seconds while top speed is cut off by the engine's electronic control unit at 250 km/h or 155 mph. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 11.8 lt/100 km, equal to 23.9 mpg imp, with CO2 emissions amounting to 275 g/km

The 530d xDrive GT accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 235 km/h or 146 mph. It returns an average fuel consumption of 6.9 lt/100 km, equal to 40.9 mpg imp, in the EU test cycle. The CO2 rating, finally, is 183g/km.

In September, the xDrive range will be rounded off with the 535d xDrive GT and the 306HP 535i xDrive GT. Performance and fuel economy figures for these two models will be released at a later date.

Finally, the same all-wheel drive system will also make it appearance on the 740d limo that's powered by a 306HP turbo-diesel unit in autumn of 2010.

Vorsteiner Does the New BMW 7-Series

California tuner Vorsteiner joins the parade of tuning firms tweaking the latest generation of BMW's 7-Series limousine with the release of a new sport kit. Called the VR-7 Sportiv Aero, the package is available for both the standard and long wheelbase versions of the Bavarian automaker's flagship sedan.

The package includes several components made from carbon fiber such as the front apron, boot lid spoiler and a diffuser integrated in the rear bumper. Vorsteiner claims that these parts help increase the sedan's front-end downforce and stability.

Aside from the VR-7 Sportiv Aero package, the BMW 750i featured in these photos is also fitted with H&R's super sport suspension kit that lowers the car's ride height by 48 mm, and Vorsteiner's 21-inch forged alloy wheels that are offered in numerous finishes including brushed aluminum, chrome, gunmetal, black and silver.

The alloy wheels are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires size 255/30 R21 at the front and 285/30 R21 at the rear.

Via: Worldcarfans

G-Power Storm: A 725HP and 215MPH BMW 760i

In the tune-tastic world of G-Power, all stock BMWs are underpowered and sluggish and in need of some serious cosmetic makeup. Having already taken on the M5 sedan, M3 Coupe, M6 Coupe, Z4 Roadster and the X5M and X6M SAVs, just to mention a few, G-Power has now turned its tuning affection on Munich's flagship limo, the 760i and its long-wheelbase sibling, the 760iL.

Simply called the Storm, G-Power's latest achievement will be produced in a limited run of just 10 units worldwide and it promises to bring the rain on other tuning proposals like the 500HP Alpina B7.

Starting with the engine, G-Power's technicians fiddled around with the 6.0-liter V12 bi-turbochargers increasing maximum boost pressure from 0.5 bar to 0.9 bar. They also recalibrated the ECU, added larger injection valves and created an entirely new exhaust system.

The result is a maximum output of 725 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 1,000Nm or 738 lb-ft from 2,000 rpm, up from the stock engine's 544HP and 750Nm or 553 lb-ft.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a modified version of the 760i's eight-speed automatic transmission.

G-Power claims that the Storm is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 4.2 seconds, to 200km/h (124mph) in 11.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 345 km/h or 215 mph.

The engine modifications are accompanied by a new sports suspension that lowers the limo's ride height by 30 mm or 1.2-inches.

The Storm also features a full body kit that includes a new bonnet made of Kevlar with air vents, unique front and rear bumpers and carbon fiber side skirts, boot lid spoiler and rear diffuser.

The four tail pipes and the new 22-inch lightweight alloy wheels shod in Michelin rubber size 265/30 at the front and 295/25 at the rear, complete the exterior changes.

G-Power only released a couple of renderings of the exterior, but the tuning firm said that it has refined the interior of the 760i with a new "ergonomically shaped" sports steering wheel, a different speedometer and carbon fiber trim for the door panels, central console and dashboard.

The fully converted Storm 760i is priced at a hefty €365,000 or at today's exchange rates, US$495,500, while the long wheelbase 760il Storm, from €375,000 or US$510,000.

Wald International Preparing Kits for New Porsche Panamera, BMW 7-Series, Rolls Royce Ghost, Infiniti M / Fuga and Jaguar XJ

Looks like 2010 will be a busy year for Wald International, the Japanese tuner known for its huge collection of aggressive body kits. Among other projects, Wald International is working on the development of exterior packages for five brand-new luxury sedan models, the 2011 BMW 7-Series, 2011 Infiniti M / Nissan Fuga (JDM), 2011 Jaguar XJ, Porsche Panamera and the new 'baby' Rolls Royce, the Ghost.

Despite the fact that the Japanese tuning firm has only released one teaser shot of each saloon, we can tell that the packages include new bumpers, spoilers, rocker panels, larger alloy wheels and suspension kits.

We'll bring you all the details on Wald International's new tuning proposals as soon the company launches the products.

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.