2018 BMW Alpina B7

Apr 23, 2024, 1:05am ET

Alpina bills itself as a company that "creates exclusive automobiles for a small circle of connoisseurs who appreciate the extraordinary.” Today, Alpina-built vehicles can be purchased directly from BMW dealers, meaning they're delivered as-new and with a robust warranty that can be honored at any dealership that sells Alpina vehicles.

While customization of a previously purchased vehicle is not available to customers in the United States (whereas it can be done in Europe), normal BMW special-order options, such as EU delivery, are still available.

The Alpina Difference

To build the B7, Alpina starts with a well-equipped 750i, then overhauls the powertrain, suspension and aesthetics to create a customized, high-performance package for the buyer who wants a little more ultimate in his or her driving machine.

Under the hood, the 750's 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 has been juiced up to produce 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque of torque. Those are huge increases over the stock 750's V8, which pumps out 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive both come standard.

The modifications don't end with the driveline. The B7 features performance-oriented upgrades to BMW's already-versatile adaptive suspension. It sits slightly lower on shortened springs, but does not give up much in the way of ride comfort. Unique 21” wheels and upgraded tires round out the package.

The B7 is also fitted with a unique aerodynamic kit to improve stability all the way to its top speed of 192 miles per hour (drag-limited). BMW and Alpina claim the B7 will hit 60 miles per hour in a sports car-like 3.6 seconds.

Standard and Optional Features

Being a 7 Series at its core, the B7 comes extremely well-equipped. Standard equipment includes leather seats with a massaging function, real wood accents, a surround-sound system, LED headlights, 20-way power-adjustable front seats, four-zone climate control, Wi-Fi connectivity, wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, soft-close automatic door operation, gesture control, smart cruise control, two-axle air suspension, a heads-up display, and navigation.

The B7 can also be ordered with most features and options available on the normal 750. See our overview of BMW's flagship sedan for more information.

Occupant Safety

Like the 7 Series on which it is based, every B7 model is equipped with dual front, side and side curtain airbags along with traction and stability control systems and a crash sensor that disconnects the alternator, fuel pump and starter from battery, automatically unlocks doors and turns on hazard and interior lights in the event of a collision. BMW's Assist eCall automatic informs emergency responders in the event of a crash.

Advanced features like Blind Spot Detection, Frontal Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Daytime Pedestrian Protection are available for an additional cost.

Key Competitors

The BMW 7 Series typically squares off with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ. The Alpina B7 skews closer to the Audi S8s and Mercedes-AMG S63/S65s of the world.