As capital accumulates and issues about cash slowly disappear into the rearview, purchases develop into much less about what is going to match within the finances and extra about what is going to match into an individual’s life. If you are seeking to spend about $150,000 on a automobile, practically each automobile available on the market matches into that bucket, so all of it comes right down to discovering a journey that greatest jibes along with your life-style. The newest iteration of the Alpina B7 relies on the new-for-2020 BMW 7 Series. The Alpina B7 is a not-oft-considered supersedan on this socioeconomic stratum. But, with numerous redeeming qualities and no considerable downsides, maybe it needs to be greater up on individuals’s precedence lists. What units it aside? Exclusivity is a significant factor for some high-end automobile consumers, and there isn’t any extra unique model than one which is not precisely frequent data. For the unfamiliar, I’ll say that the Alpina B7 is not any common Bimmer. Every 7 Series begins its life at BMW’s Dingolfing, Germany-based plant, however Alpina plucks its autos from the road and provides a complete bunch of distinctive gear that places the B7 a step above.
Alpina focuses on “white space” autos — that’s to say, the automaker (Alpina is a separate automaker from BMW, technically, however is just acknowledged as such in Europe) makes use of its modifications to create autos that occupy segments the place BMW is not lively. Much like my colleague Steven Ewing urged on his first drive of the Alpina B7, one may mainly take into account this automobile to be the M7 that BMW will not construct.
Alpina’s exterior touches give the B7 a bit extra character than the usual automobile. The restyled bumpers are a smidge extra aggressive, and I like the best way the corporate is ready to stick a large Alpina badge simply above the lip. Out again, I’m a fan of the rear bumper, which surrounds the quad tailpipes, in addition to the little lip spoiler that protrudes from the trunk. And then there are the wheels — these 20-inch, 20-spoke wheels are a staple of Alpina’s design language, they usually rule. Wrapped in Alpina’s unique shade of inexperienced, the B7 makes fairly the assertion wherever it goes, and that is not even counting BMW’s ever-growing kidney grilles.
I’ll by no means develop uninterested in seeing these wheels. This design is likely one of the trade’s most timeless.
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Inside, Alpina’s hand flippantly graces what’s an already palatial area. There are just a few distinctive appointments: The middle console carries an Alpina placard, there is a distinctive badge on the dashboard and the steering wheel has button-style shift paddles which can be positively annoying to make use of. My tester feels fairly basic with its mixture of white leather-based (Nappa is commonplace) and brilliant myrtle wooden, however these residing on the extra ragged edge of fashion will undoubtedly decide one other of BMW’s myriad inside trim choices. Just about each floor I contact is leather-based, and all of it feels fairly pretty. Even with out all of the choices containers ticked, the Alpina B7’s rear seat is a treasure. You can drop a bit of change and choice two particular person seats separated by a honkin’ middle console, however my tester nonetheless depends on a bench-seat structure that is still mighty snug and affords each headroom and legroom in spades. Throw an additional $3,900 into the combo, and the rear seats get upgraded with air flow and therapeutic massage features, along with tacking on heated armrests for all passengers and a heated steering wheel. The trunk affords up sufficient area for a number of golf luggage, just a few full-size suitcases — whether or not the journey is lengthy or quick, the whole lot will match again there. The M7 BMW won’t ever construct While my tester, because it’s optioned, appears prefer it’s all about old-school serenity on the street, the Alpina B7 is a lot greater than that. In reality, it truly trades what could possibly be an much more opulent journey in favor of sprightliness, an adjective you would not normally affiliate with a automobile of this measurement. Flipping up the hood, I see one more contribution to what makes Alpina’s automobiles so particular. The 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 from the 750i has been totally reworked to provide 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, enhancements of 77 and 37, respectively. It would not have the trademark smoothness of the M760i’s V12, however this eight-pot is surprisingly versatile, providing each consolation and efficiency in equal doses.
Stay mild on the throttle and the B7 will act like a chauffeur-friendly limousine. Give the fuel pedal an excellent ol’ smashing, although, and the turbos spool as much as present an nearly unnatural quantity of acceleration at any pace, and it will maintain pulling like a madman previous the 200-mph barrier. There’s no lively exhaust on supply, however the default engine notice is simply loud sufficient to be participating with out being annoying at decrease speeds. An eight-speed computerized transmission is commonplace, and it is a easy one, particularly in Comfort mode when it would not care about shift speeds. It would possibly look somewhat old-school on this spec, however regardless of the stuffy appears right here, there is a correct performer beneath.
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That softness extends to the B7’s journey, too. Alpina had its method with the adaptive suspension, tweaking it to raised match the automobile’s considerably sporting character. The journey remains to be mighty plush, with its 20-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer season tires providing sufficient sidewall to soak up most on-road jitters. However, it positively feels sharper than one thing tuned nearly completely for consolation, just like the M760i, staying flat in sharper turns. Working along side rear-axle steering and all-wheel drive, the B7 packs an agility that its large footprint belies.
The B7’s steering has a pleasant weight to it, and it is direct sufficient to make me need to slap the automobile somewhat tougher than others would possibly. Thankfully, as soon as it is in control, bringing the B7 again right down to zero is good and simple. The metal brakes on every nook clamp with authority at greater speeds, however the pedal remains to be simple sufficient to modulate at low speeds, making these ultrasmooth “limousine stops” little greater than kid’s play. It’s positively succesful within the corners, however in my expertise, the B7 is extra about blasting down lengthy stretches of flat freeway, one thing it does with excellence. The EPA claims the B7 will obtain 17 miles per gallon metropolis and 25 mpg freeway. Most consumers will not care about the price of filling up this large Bavarian, however I can affirm that hitting the ballparked freeway determine is lots possible, though the need to expertise all that torque will make metropolis driving rather less economical. BMW-based tech shines Aside from an Alpina-specific pores and skin on the 12.3-inch gauge cluster display screen, the B7’s tech is not any completely different than what’s present in the usual 7 Series, and that is an excellent factor. With gauges left and proper flanking a small map devoid of labels that is solely helpful when turn-by-turn instructions are enabled, the display screen affords only a smidge of selection, letting me alter what’s displayed inside the appropriate gauge, whether or not it is gas economic system, no matter’s enjoying on the radio or the present energy and torque output. iDrive’s house display screen exhibits sufficient data that you just may not want to vary menus on the common drive.
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That display screen is complemented with a 10.25-inch touchscreen on the dashboard working the newest model of BMW’s iDrive infotainment software program. The system is lots quick, whether or not I’m utilizing the bodily dial or my very own fingers to dive via its many menus, the sheer density of which may get intimidating earlier than muscle reminiscence adapts. The configurable house display screen lets me see nearly the whole lot I want with a fast look, and it is also able to working Apple CarPlay wirelessly, which is a pleasant contact that I want extra automakers would undertake. When it comes time to cost, there is a USB-A port between the wi-fi charger and the cup holders, in addition to a USB-C port underneath the middle armrest. Much of BMW’s security tech comes commonplace on the Alpina B7. My tester comes outfitted from the manufacturing unit with a surround-view digicam system, parking sensors and a set of passive and lively driver aids that mix to maintain the automobile centered in its lane on the freeway. It’s considered one of my favourite hands-on methods, making easy steering inputs and guaranteeing distances are stored with out jarring jabs to both the brake or throttle. How I’d spec it Considering how nicely outfitted the B7 comes from the manufacturing unit, there’s not a complete lot of wiggle room, however there’s nonetheless some selection on supply. For context, my tester begins at $142,800, and a smattering of choices ($3,900 to spice up rear-seat luxurious, $1,000 for laser headlights, $900 for a panoramic LED-lit roof, $200 for a drive recorder and $3,400 for a greater stereo) brings that value as much as $153,195 together with vacation spot. First, I’ll keep on with my tester’s beautiful shade of Alpina inexperienced metallic, partially as a result of it is a no-cost choice and partially as a result of it simply rocks. I’ll maintain the automobile on its inventory 20-inch wheels, too; 21s can be found, however I’d slightly have a bit extra sidewall on my tire. Because I’m a flowery boy, I’ll drop $4,000 for the total Merino leather-based inside in brown, accentuated with a no-cost American darkish oak trim. Skipping all the opposite choices, that brings my value right down to a barely extra palatable $147,795. Down to brass tacks As a lot because it might sound that the Alpina B7 exists in a category of its personal, it would not. The M7 may not exist, however the Mercedes-AMG S63 positive as heck does, and it affords a bonkers V8 underneath the hood, however the Merc’s window sticker asks for about $7,000 on prime of the B7’s value. There’s additionally some inside competitors from BMW — the M760i is extra for the pushed than the motive force, and its V12-stuffed physique instructions a $15,000 premium over the Alpina. The 2020 Alpina B7 is certainly one thing particular. In addition to carrying driving dynamics, consolation and tech in spades, the B7 has an air of exclusivity that its opponents do not. If you need one thing somewhat off the crushed path that feels value each inch of its six-figure price ticket, the Alpina B7 is the place it is at.