The Alpina B7 is now the quickest BMW ever

If the name ‘Alpina’ has any significance to you, then you probably already know that this article is about a really fast BMW sedan. Let’s look at the latest project from the long-time BMW tuner.

Meet the Alpina B7, a super saloon based on the recently announced BMW 7-Series facelift, that has silenced all the internet trolls that have something to say about the 7-Series new grille.

Let’s get straight to the performance. Alpina has steered clear of the mega V12 from the M760Li in favour of a tweaked-out version of BMW’s 4.4-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine. While it produces the same figures from the B7’s pre-facelift guise, it now delivers its 447kW of power and 800Nm of torque quicker than before. This is due to slight revisions of the turbocharger turbines, engine management systems and intercoolers.

The quicker power and torque delivery is only half of the story. Enter BMW’s 8-speed ZF transmission and their four-wheel xDrive system, which will launch the super sedan from 0-100km/h in 3.6-seconds, one tenth of a second faster than the M760Li.

While some may lust for the symphony of a V12 under the bonnet, having a V8 brings its own benefits. One example is weight, with the V8 weighing just under 150-kilograms less than the 12-cylinder unit, which should make the B7 feel slightly nimbler from behind the wheel.

The Alpina B7 also features a lightweight stainless-steel exhaust system to reduce back pressure, while creating a more aggressive growl in Sport mode through active exhaust flaps.

The suspension can be lowered by 15mm in Sport mode, too, allowing the B7 to get closer to the road at higher speeds. The ride height can be returned to normal or taken 35mm higher for extreme situations when ground clearance is needed.

As far as styling is concerned, the B7 features the regular Alpina treatment. It has the signature 20-inch multispoke Alpina wheels, a front splitter with Alpina lettering, a slick boot lip spoiler and a rear bumper that encloses round, quad tailpipes. The interior receives the new BMW digital instrument cluster and Alpina style wood and leather across the cabin.