Tuesday 9th February 2016

New Alpina B7 xDrive

600hp, 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds and 193mph - the 7 Series supersaloon goes supersonic!

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While Alpina has moved towards more focused products in recent years with cars like the B3 GT3, it is arguably most successful (and popular) when making the ultimate supersaloons. They're big cars with huge levels of power and all finished off with a quite considerable dose of style and finesse; hence we're rather big fans of them at PH.

Is there a BMW these wheels don't look great on?

This latest B7 xDrive is a chip off the pinstriped block as far as Alpina goes then. Take one all-wheel drive 750i, add new turbos, an Alpina exhaust, new Mahle pistons and a whole host of tweaks to the intake and cooling, then stand well back. Alpina claims peak power of 608hp (600bhp) for the new B7 at 5,750-6,250rpm, plus 590lb ft at 3,000rpm. That in turn is sufficient for a 3.6-second sprint to 60mph and 193mph flat out. In a 7 Series!

Now an Alpina overhaul is about more than just outright speed, and the B7 is no different. Alpina claims its tweaks to this car "retain the exceptional long-distance cruising comfort of the predecessor while at the same time significantly sharpening the agility". Given how much technology is on the new 7 Series, that presumably requires a fair bit of work. The introduction of rear-axle steering will of course help on the agility front, with Alpina also working on the electronic damper control and the air suspension. The latter has a 'Sport+' mode - selectable independent of the Sport+ drive mode - that lowers the car by 20mm, increasing front camber for "even more direct turn-in when cornering." As well as this, the eight-speed auto, all-wheel drive system and driver aids have all had a specific Alpina fettle for a bit more dynamic edge. Given how ordinary the standard 7 Series - a 730d, granted - felt on the launch, that has to be good news.

Bring it to the UK Alpina. Please

The Alpina Classic wheels combined with a fairly mild bodykit make for a very handsome saloon too, particularly in the Alpina Blue seen here. Will anyone be brave enough to opt for Alpina Green?

In the US, this new B7 will be available from September this year. There is no word yet on UK availability (we're chasing it up!), but it seems unlikely given the 750i isn't offered here in all-wheel drive. Seems a shame when there's an AMG S-Class and the Audi S8 Plus to pinch a few customers from...

 

 

 

[griffdude]

Wow, that'll leave an Aston Taraf tumbling in it's wake.

[Phil Dicky]

A top lotto win daily driver

[Leins]

Now that is a super-barge! And Alpina Green is one of the nicest car colours available IMO, but AB isn't far behind

[MrBarry123]

That's got to be the most fantastic thing to come out of 2016 so far.

Imagine having it as your daily...

[RoverP6B]

griffdude said:

Wow, that'll leave an Aston Taraf tumbling in it's wake.

The Taraf will never be mistaken for a London private hire 730d taxi.

[JakeT]

RoverP6B said:

griffdude said:

Wow, that'll leave an Aston Taraf tumbling in it's wake.

The Taraf will never be mistaken for a London private hire 730d taxi.

That's the beauty of the Alpina. Wondering in a combination of fear and bewilderment 'what the fk was that!?'

[Crusoe]

black and gold shark nose b7 turbo in the classifieds

[philmots]

It's just awesome.

Can't help but think 4wd would be necessary in that sort of car, be disappointing if we didn't get it.

[Atmospheric]

Long range bomber.

[Adam Ansel]

The new 5 series version of this is imminent and will be even better! But only as long as Sytner import the 4WD version. 600+ RWD bhp is too much for general, all year, use on UK roads.

[Soov535]

JakeT said:

RoverP6B said:

griffdude said:

Wow, that'll leave an Aston Taraf tumbling in it's wake.

The Taraf will never be mistaken for a London private hire 730d taxi.

That's the beauty of the Alpina. Wondering in a combination of fear and bewilderment 'what the fk was that!?'

Precisely this.

[Amirhussain]

[Esseesse]

This might be rubbish, but I thought I'd heard that the old Audi D2 S8 (de-restricted) can top 200mph.

[unsprung]

Crusoe said:

black and gold shark nose b7 turbo in the classifieds

It was truly a kind of artwork, wasn't it. Cars today may be good looking, but we would seldom speak of something reasonably mainstream as being art.

[PHMatt]

I think Alpina styling is stuck in the 80's personally.

[AdamAJP]

So. Much Want.

[Leins]

PHMatt said:

I think Alpina styling is stuck in the 80's personally.

I know, great isn't it!

[Ares]

Just had a nosy round a new 7-series at the local dealer (whilst waiting for 20mins for parts to be arsed serving....<grumble>)

I was underwhelmed on launch, but having seen one up close, even the standard 730Ld on decent wheels had bags of presence and looked great. This will/would be epic.

[unsprung]

Leins said:

PHMatt said:

I think Alpina styling is stuck in the 80's personally.

I know, great isn't it!

Sign me up

[PHMatt]

unsprung said:

Leins said:

PHMatt said:

I think Alpina styling is stuck in the 80's personally.

I know, great isn't it!

Sign me up

I don't think their styling works on modern cars. It was very right in the 80's on the shark nosed BMW's like the 3's and 6's especially.

I just don't think it looks good on the new ones. I especially hate the Aplina sticker on the dodgy looking front splitter they often do (although can't see a sticker on this dodgy splitter)