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      08-17-2016, 02:58 PM   #1
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Our Alpina B7 First Drive Review

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Alpina B7: The luxury missile
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Alpina B7: The luxury missile

By Jens Meiners, BIMMERPOST Correspondent

Alpina doesn't like speed limits. In 1985, when a discussion on limiting the legendary autobahn was raging through Germany, Alpina's founder and CEO Burkard Bovensiepen created a well-reasoned two-page advertisement that ran in the country's foremost magazines. It was an expensive undertaking, but it added to the national debate - and ultimately may have been an important step to preserve the freedom to choose your own speed on what may be the world's best and safest high-speed road network.

A freedom that can be enjoyed to the fullest over 30 years later, and nowhere better than in Alpina's latest offering: The B7 Biturbo, a 600-horsepower derivative of the new 7-series that surpasses the 750i xDrive by a full 155 horsepower. Maximum torque is rated at 590 lb-ft. And top speed rises from a governed 155 mph to 205 mph - also governed, believe it or not.

Compared to the 750i, not a sluggish car by any means, the B7 moves with noticeably more urgency. It charges to 62 mph (100 kph) from a standstill in a mere 3.7 seconds; the engine emits a muffled but aggressive growl, gear changes are more speedy, and the car builds speed with incredible ease. When the road clears up, triple-digit velocities are mere seconds away, and even when you approach the B7's top speed, it remains calm, poised, and sure-footed.

To make sure it remains firmly planted to the road even in the lofty realm of 200-mph-plus velocities, the B7 comes with a front and rear spoiler, both designed to sharply reduce lift; its chassis is lower than the regular 750i's; and it comes with standard all-wheel-steering. That system is great at low speeds, where it reduced the turning circle and increases agility by turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels, but it's even better at high speeds, where the rear wheels turn the same direction, and that increases stability when you need to execute a quick lane change. At low speeds, the system is tuned more aggressively than on the regular 7-series.

All-wheel drive is standard on the B7, and the torque distribution is rear-biased to preserve the agility of a rear-wheel drive car while adding traction. The large brakes operate without noticeable fade - at least during our testing, and we covered virtually the entire speed range.

The B7 rules on the autobahn, but despite its considerable size and heft it also shines on twisty roads. Alpina has tweaked the steering and the chassis tuning, and as a result, the car truly seems to shrink as you push it through corners. The steering feels more precise than on the 750i, there is virtually no body roll, and it is possible to play a bit with the tail (even though this car is no drifter). And there is a "Sport Plus" mode that sharpens the car's responses further - and is not available on any other 7-series.

Of course, the B7 is still an ultra-luxurious sedan, and when you restrain yourself at the wheel, your passengers will never know they are being chauffeured in one of the fastest cars in the world and perhaps the most capable luxury sedan out there. We like the specific enhancements that give away the B7's special status: There are Alpina logos, the car is fitted with special decor, and even the vertical interior lights on the B pillar feature a "B7" logo. What's more, the electronic instrumentation has been redesigned with blue gauges, and in "Sport" as well as "Sport Plus" mode, speed and selected gear are prominently displayed in large, digital letters. The regular 7's available paddle shifters are replaced by the Alpina Switch-tronic buttons.

Outside, the aero kit is complemented with Alpina stripes can be ordered in silver or gol - and the car is fitted with 20-inch Alpina Classic wheels (21-inch rims are optional), and a large four-tip stainless steel exhaust system. Any color is available, but Alpina Blue and Alpina Green II can't be had on any other 7-series, and we think they look fantastic on the B7.

Prices at $137,995, the B7 Biturbo is currently the most expensive 7-series, but it will receive competition in the form of BMW's own M760i by the turn of the year. That model will be powered by an updated version of BMW's twin-turbocharged V-12. But it won't be quite as fast: It'll be governed at 190 mph. We haven't driven the M760i yet, but we know we love the B7: You can't go wrong with it. And if you order one, do a factory delivery in Germany. After all, Alpina worked to keep the roads free over there.

Alpina B7

Alpina B7



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      08-17-2016, 03:15 PM   #2
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So basically this B7 is as fast as my 997 Turbo . . . or even faster given certain conditions. Hats off to the boys in Bavaria.
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      08-17-2016, 03:16 PM   #3
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Awesome! I just don't really care for the lettering on the back of the car.. Just reminds me of the do it yourself kits at Walmart..
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      08-17-2016, 03:36 PM   #4
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I'd have this over M760i in a heart beat
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      08-17-2016, 03:48 PM   #5
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Such a beauty!
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      08-17-2016, 04:04 PM   #6
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Autobahn highspeed boat cruisin'
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      08-17-2016, 04:22 PM   #7
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Man, i love Alpina and their work, but wheels are so damn weird on this newer cars.

On E32 yes, but on G11 it's weird.

But damn, hats of to Alpina. Such a cruiser.


BTW where can you find a car, house, and woman like that? Simple elegant and distant
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      08-17-2016, 04:56 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkkeys
Awesome! I just don't really care for the lettering on the back of the car.. Just reminds me of the do it yourself kits at Walmart..
Does look a bit Mercedes-esque. Unless I'm tripping.

Can just have it removed I suppose.
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      08-17-2016, 06:00 PM   #9
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Love the stats no doubt! Absolutely crazy good numbers! Those fugly ass wheels MUST go! As well as the pin stripping. I've never been found of the bodykit Alpina employs at all. AMG does a much better job in the styling dept. None the less... Performance and Tech can't be denied.
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      08-17-2016, 06:20 PM   #10
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What a wonderful large hot rod, but I lust for a B6.
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      08-17-2016, 06:44 PM   #11
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With a proper set of classy forged wheels and a pinstripe delete and it's flawless. I wish alpina had 2 wheel options
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      08-17-2016, 06:49 PM   #12
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Why can't they bring the B5 or for that matter the B3 to the US?
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      08-17-2016, 08:24 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doccyber View Post
Why can't they bring the B5 or for that matter the B3 to the US?
margins on the 7 are way higher.
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      08-17-2016, 08:27 PM   #14
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Amazing how Alpina keeps putting virtually the same body kit on new cars... and it always looks so good!
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      08-17-2016, 08:57 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3s-a-charm View Post
Amazing how Alpina keeps putting virtually the same body kit on new cars... and it always looks so good!
That's when you know you have a classic design. It can stand the test of time and can be applied to any BMW. If you had the money to buy one, you could spec it without the decals and you would have yourself a perfect sleeper car.
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      08-17-2016, 09:08 PM   #16
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Luxury missile!
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      08-17-2016, 10:47 PM   #17
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Love the B7. Ok with the wheels, but the pin stripe is a no! Wow 205 limited... Quite the executive sedan!
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      08-17-2016, 10:52 PM   #18
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Had the opportunity to drive the last generation B7 at the Greenwhich Conours last year. It was freakin unreal. I can only imagine what the new version is like. Such a beautiful car. If I had the $$$ I would get B7 and the B6. Both in Alpina Blue minus the Alpina decal with Crema interior.
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      08-17-2016, 11:18 PM   #19
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I never thought I would want a seven series S they are just too big for my liking but this I would buy! Cheers Alpina!
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      08-18-2016, 01:36 AM   #20
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Hello RS7 competitor
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      08-18-2016, 02:04 AM   #21
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Total bad ass for sure! I did notice an interesting (missing) detail in the interior pics. There doesn't appear to be a panoramic roof on the model used for the photos. Wonder if the USA will finally get the option of dropping that feature. It's standard on all 7 Series imported to the USA today.
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      08-18-2016, 03:32 AM   #22
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Thanks for details and sharing
This car is cheaper than equivalent of W222 S65 AMG and not to be undone at all
You can even smoke some chick magnet cars, a wolf under a ship skin.
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