The fastest iteration of the BMW 7-Series that can
be bought from an official dealer isn’t really a BMW but an Alpina. An Alpina
B7 to be exact. Alpina took the familiar twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 and then
upgraded it with a pair of its own twin-scroll turbos, intercooler, air intake
and high-performance cooling system. The results are 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of peak
torque, with 494 lb-ft available from just 2,000 rpm.
The engine uses special Mahle pistons and NGK spark
plugs as well, with Alpina’s bespoke stainless steel sports exhaust with active
valves specifically designed to reduce back pressure and of course weight. You can’t call the B7 a tuned version of the
standard car; Alpina presents itself as a separate company that focuses on
turning regular BMWs into super-sophisticated and refined missiles.
They retune or upgrade almost every component of the
chassis to meet their standards, including the air suspension, the rear wheel
steering, the driving modes, everything to ensure that the B7 meets the
expectations of their demanding client base. Even the xDrive all-wheel drive
system has been recalibrated by Alpina for a more dynamic handling character
and increased agility.
Inside there’s high-end Nappa leather covering
almost everything, ceramic inserts, Alpina’s own wood trim and an individual
production plaque among other to remind you that you’re not sitting in a
regular BMW, as regular a 7-Series can be considered.
There’s also another way of reminding you that this
is no ordinary 7-Series: mash the throttle to the thick carpet and experience a
0-60 in 3.6 seconds, keep that pedal buried for long enough and the B7 won’t
stop accelerating before it hits 205 mph. Alpina says it’s the fastest
production four-door model in the market too.
