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BMW Alpina B7 gets power boost for 2013

The 2013 BMW Alpina B7, the performance version of the German automaker's 7-series sedan, gets an additional 40 hp--and a more costly sticker price--for the new model year. BMW plans to roll out the 2013 model at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August and begin sales soon thereafter. Under the hood, power from the 4.4-liter V8 has been increased from 500 to 540 hp with the addition of BMW's throttle-less Valvetronic intake system.

BMW hires former General Motors EV expert Weber, sources say

BMW AG has hired former Opel product chief Frank Weber, sources at both companies told Automotive News Europe. It's a move that gives the world's leading luxury carmaker a huge boost in electric vehicle expertise as Weber was the lead engineer for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. BMW plans to launch its i3 full-electric car and its i8 plug-in hybrid in 2013.

BMW Z1: Where it all began

For the launch of the new Z4 sDrive 28i, BMW brought out a bit of a history in the Z1, which started the company on its trip down the Z roadster path. The car came from the company's collection in Munich. With only 10,000 miles showing on the odometer, journalists were turned loose with just a gentle word of caution to try and not break anything.