This car belongs to a family member of mine; I just happened to take the opportunity to drive it today for the better part of two hours. Let me tell you my thoughts...

Let me start with the styling. I've never been a "bangle" fan, but the Alpina touches on this machine definitely help the car with a sportier look. The only real noticeable exterior changes between this car and a normal 7 series are: rear decklid spoiler, front lip, and 21" Alpina wheels. It appears to sit a little lower than a normal 7 series, but I could be wrong. I really really like the Alpina exterior bits with the exception of one thing: the two tail pipes. Why would they produce a car with 500 hp and not throw quad tips on there? I think it would help the back end greatly if they would've just added another two tips back there (even if they were faux tips, ala Dinan E46 M3 exhausts). Overall I'd give the exterior a B+/A-.

Now to the interior. As you can see, this particular car came with the cream colored seats. Not only are they comfortable and highly adjustable, but they include heating AND air conditioning. I have always disliked iDrive and this car is no exception...except that the iDrive appears to have gotten better with every new generation of BMW cars. The Alpina touches that I noticed start with the steering wheel, the gauges (200 mph speedo is cool in a car this heavy), and the suede roofliner. Everything else I'm pretty sure can be optioned on a normal 7 series car. Oh, and one of my favorite options (yet I don't think it's all that useful) is the night vision option...it picks up heat signals so that you can see farther ahead than what the convention Xenons will allow. Overall I'd give the interior an A- (would've been an A were it not for the iDrive).

Now on to the performance. According to everything I've read, Alpina pretty much took the standard 750i motor and slapped a supercharger on it. It is rated at 500 hp and 516 lb ft of torque and I'd be lying if I didn't tell you this feels like the fastest 4 door sedan I've ever driven (compared to the E55's, M5's, and other comparative high HP sedans). I'm sure it wouldn't even come close to keeping up with, say, an S65 AMG...but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a tad underrated in the HP department. 0-60 comes in the low 4 second range according to several sources I've read (and according to my estimations, that sounds about right). Top speed is said to be 186 mph.

Handling is also superb for a car of this size. The 295/30/zr21 (rear) and 265/35/zr21 (front) Michelin Pilot Sports grip the road very nicely. Turn-in and high speed cornering is fantastic...the car stays planted much better than a standard 7 series. At any speed (and I only saw 120 mph on a closed course in Mexico) the car feels planted and absolutely smooth (almost Lexus smooth despite the low-pro tires). At 100 mph, it feels like 65 in any "normal" car. The brakes have terrific feedback and stopping feel, although I didn't do repeated high-speed stops to see what kind of fade I could get from them.

Overall performance on the Alpina B7 would have to be an A+ from me. The torque comes on from what seems like 1,200 rpms and I could barely feel the car shift all the way up to the 100 mph mark.

Anyways...those were my impressions of the Alpina B7. Is it better than an S8, S63, etc? I don't know...but for less money than a 760Li, it makes me wonder why anybody would purchase the "king" of the 7 series over this...

 

Hey Brad, sweet ride! I actually like that color combo much better than the blue press car I have seen pics of. As funky a car as it is, I have been impressed for the entire 36 month lease on our 745LI, a tuned version from Alpina has got to be superb.

 

Hey Doug! Long time no see....I hope you had a successful trip in China. I took my wife and she threw up for literally four straight days!


As for the car...I didn't think I'd like the cream interior as much as I do in person. It's a nice contrast to the car (much like the tan interior with the seal exterior is on the 911's).


Have you picked up any new vehicles lately?

 

Great write-up - thanks! That's a beautiful car - there's one skulking around my neighbourhood as well, but in that blue color.

One slight correction: I believe the chairs are ventilated, but not air conditioned.

 

great looking car, much smoother than the stock 7. Great write-up

 

Can we get Alpinas in the U.S.?

 

Yes. Just have to find a dealership that sells them similar to Dinan or someone that has one for sale.

 

Just saw a black one of these badboys driving to my office........stunning

 

There is a black one in Miami for sale in black I think. I must search the link.

 

Ok it is in West Palm beach and it is Monaco blue and it looks amazing.

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/...?itemid=380888




Here are some other ones for sale but without pics.

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/...lid=64&catid=2

 

great write up, i def. love this vehicle.

 

One of these tried to race me the other day when I was picked up my m3. Looked incredible!

 

Very nice. Some owners at bmwalpinaboard.com

 

My boss just turned up with one the other day. It's sick.

 

I saw one at New Century BMW for sale not too long ago. How would you like it compared to say a cls63 or a audi s8?