Meanwhile, the Mi we tested took 3. The B7 never surrenders its lead, either. Even its claimed top speed of mph betters the Mi's governed limit by 50 mph. To corral all that momentum, the Alpina employs massive front and rear brakes with rotors that measure Not only did the brake pedal provide firm and consistent feedback, the brakes helped haul the big B7 to a stop from 70 mph in only feet.
That's 17 fewer than the Mi needed and somehow identical to an M2 Competition we tested. Although we experienced the B7's ultra-high-speed composure on Germany's autobahn, traveling at triple-digit speeds is frowned upon in the United States. But if you want to feel like you've been shot off the deck of the USS Nimitz, that's as easy as planting your right foot. For the maximum butterfly sensation, activate the Sport Plus drive mode.
What follows is a glorious sequence that includes an instantaneous downshift, a rumbling crescendo from the tailpipes, and a tsunami of thrust. While this type of juvenile behavior happened a lot when we first got the keys, we quickly discovered another side of the B7. Perhaps its best side. The low-profile sidewalls somehow tolerated the deteriorating surfaces of southeast Michigan's worst roads, and the Alpina's air-sprung suspension and tremendous sound insulation essentially formed a rolling fortress of solitude.
This was especially true when we selected Comfort Plus, which set the dampers to their softest and became our go-to mode once the novelty of Sport Plus wore off. While there was no feedback from the thick-rimmed steering wheel, we did marvel at how easy the B7 was to maneuver in tight spaces.
Credit this to the sedan's standard rear-wheel-steering system, which may not offer rear-axle angles quite as large as the new Mercedes-Benz S-class but is still extremely useful. Put it this way: The B7 can impersonate a limo better than the Mi can impersonate a sports car. As a welcome bonus, Alpina's subtle styling touches, specifically the revised front fascia with an extended chin splitter, work to balance the proportions of the latest 7's bluff nose— now with 40 percent more kidney grille!
The supple and richly aromatic hides of Alpina's custom full-leather interior option bolster the B7's feeling of specialness. But, sadly, that feature is not offered to U. Alpina builds fewer than vehicles per year for global distribution.
Not that the trappings of the regular 7-series are lacking in finery, but the mph B7 deserves more than just a sprinkling of Alpina emblems to dress up its cabin.
Those drivers will have to give way to a hard-charging Alpina B7 in their rearview mirror, though, as the M car is governed to only about mph. New Cars. Buyer's Guide. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. View Photos. Alpina B7 Full Test. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses.
It's an automaker in its own right, and its cars get unique VINs. And Alpina doesn't just take a regular BMW and turn up the boost pressure and fit new wheels.
These are comprehensive reworks. In the B7, Alpina takes the 4. BMW's iteration has never underwhelmed, but Alpina's work has made something spectacular. The V-8 is so torquey that you question if the B7 actually needs eight forward gears.
It's an absolute powerhouse, pitching the car backwards like a boat under hard acceleration with a subdued growl for musical accompaniment. See an open section of road, crack open the throttle a bit, and luxuriate in the V-8's massive midrange torque. This thing will easily outrun a Charger Hellcat Widebody. And it does so in a package that's far more subtle. Well, a big BMW with a comically oversized kidney grille isn't exactly subtle, but it's not all-eyes-on-me, either. Alpina gave the 7-Series a gentle makeover with the biggest changes being its signature shade of green and multispoke wheels.
In Europe, you can also get an interior completely retrimmed by Alpina, though not for U. We just get a standard 7-Series interior with an Alpina badge on the steering wheel, new faces for the digital gauges, unique wood trim inlaid with a small Alpina crest, and a plaque on the center console.
It's more than enough, because the standard 7-Series is plenty luxurious, with gorgeous quilted leather and well-considered tech. It's a great place to pass hours on the interstate. Occasionally a big impact will send a shudder through the structure, but for the most part it's damn near plush as anything.
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