6SpeedOnline Review: The BMW Alpina B7: Your Private Jet for the Road
When you combine ultimate luxury, performance, and comfort in a BMW 7-Series, you get an Alpina B7. What is the largest Alpina like from behind the wheel?
Alpina has a long history with BMW, starting in 1962 when founder Burkard Bovensiepen made a Weber dual carburetor for the BMW 1500. The motoring press and BMW liked the the setup so much BMW certified the system and offered a factory warranty on it. The company continued to tune BMWs with carburetors and crankshafts to gain horsepower from various BMW engines. The Alpina company logo bares these two parts as homage to the brands humble beginnings. In 1983 Alpina became recognized as a manufacturer by the German transportation authority. Although Alpina cars can be bought and serviced at BMW dealers, they are considered their own brand. Even though the brand has a long history with BMW, Alpina cars were not sold in the US market until 2003, with the Alpina V8 roadster as their first offering.
So what is a B7?
BMW’s M division is the high performance arm for the marque. However, for the 7 Series, BMW felt there would be no market for an M7, so they turned to Alpina to build the B7. The Alpina B7 first came to the US in 2007 in a limited run of 800 cars, which sold out quickly.
The latest B7 is one of highest-performing 7 Series on offer. Sure, it falls just short of the power figures offered by the BMW M760Li (610 horses to the Alpina’s 600), but it offers more in other areas. “Where?” You may be asking. Well, it’s the amazing combination of technology, performance, and bespoke luxury, of course. The limited production B7 is available in unique paint colors and leather-filled interiors. But BMW Individual exists for the truly discerning buyer. So, what features make the 2018 Alpina B7 stand apart from the 7 Series?
Let’s start with the performance, a 600 horsepower twin-turbo V8 launches the 4,800 pound luxury sedan to sixty in just 3.6 seconds. The Alpina B7’s engine is hand-built in their factory and then shipped to the BMW factory for installation. They use special pistons, intakes, turbochargers, and a unique twin exhaust system on the 4.4 liter V8. The B7 also features a new ALPINA Switch-tronic 8-speed automatic transmission which is improved over the standard BMW unit, and offers launch control. So, what is this performance like from the driver’s seat?
From the driver’s seat, and beyond.
Stepping into the Alpina B7, the first thing that greets you is the plush leather-wrapped steering wheel. The soft leather and extra padding give you the feeling of luxury and performance from the first grip of the wheel. The color-contrasting stitching is also a lovely visual treat for this special vehicle. Pulling away from a stop is an exercise in throttle restraint. Just breath on the pedal and the B7 rips off to sixty miles per hour. Despite this, the acceleration is effortless, and never violent. Wafting is the best way to describe the feeling. The cabin is quiet and calm as the speed gathers deep into the triple digits. The adaptive steering offers a variable steering ratio, and turns the rear wheels slightly under cornering, making the large Q-car feel nimble despite its size. This amazing machine is a joy to drive, but what if you want to take it easy and have the chauffeur drive?
The only place more desirable than the driver’s seat is the rear cabin. The Luxury Rear Seating Package turns the B7 into a land-bound private jet. This fancy sound package offers heating and cooling of the seats, along with reclining and massaging functions. We would gladly spend the time blasting to Las Vegas in the rear of the B7, over the hassle of a commercial flight. Snuggling into the quilted leather seats while enjoying the rear seat entertainment screens, is a low flying flight we want to take. But, the real question lingers: why would you buy the Alpina B7 over the standard 7-Series?
The Alpina B7 stands out from the crowd.
The Alpina B7 offers a unique package over the standard 7 series. Alpina’s multi-spoke wheels combined with their front and rear spoilers give the B7 a distinctive appearance. The B7 is the thinking man’s 7 series. If want to buy the most expensive BMW on offer, then the M760i V12 is the one for you. Although for the extra cost and cylinders you will not be going any faster to 60 then the B7. The B7 tops out at 193 mph where as the 760i is limited to 155 mph. So, for around $18,000 less then the 760i you get the same performance in a better looking package.
This begs the question. Why anyone wouldn’t buy the BMW Alpina B7, if they are in the market for a large luxury sedan. What is the ultimate luxury driving machine? Our new answer is still a BMW, but it must be the BMW Alpina B7.
