While Alpina has moved towards more focused products in recent years with cars like the B3 GT3, it is arguably most successful (and popular) when making the ultimate supersaloons. They're big cars with huge levels of power and all finished off with a quite considerable dose of style and finesse; hence we're rather big fans of them at PH.
Is there a BMW these wheels don't look great on?
This latest B7 xDrive is a chip off the pinstriped block as far as Alpina goes then. Take one all-wheel drive 750i, add new turbos, an Alpina exhaust, new Mahle pistons and a whole host of tweaks to the intake and cooling, then stand well back. Alpina claims peak power of 608hp (600bhp) for the new B7 at 5,750-6,250rpm, plus 590lb ft at 3,000rpm. That in turn is sufficient for a 3.6-second sprint to 60mph and 193mph flat out. In a 7 Series!
Now an Alpina overhaul is about more than just outright speed, and the B7 is no different. Alpina claims its tweaks to this car "retain the exceptional long-distance cruising comfort of the predecessor while at the same time significantly sharpening the agility". Given how much technology is on the new 7 Series, that presumably requires a fair bit of work. The introduction of rear-axle steering will of course help on the agility front, with Alpina also working on the electronic damper control and the air suspension. The latter has a 'Sport+' mode - selectable independent of the Sport+ drive mode - that lowers the car by 20mm, increasing front camber for "even more direct turn-in when cornering." As well as this, the eight-speed auto, all-wheel drive system and driver aids have all had a specific Alpina fettle for a bit more dynamic edge. Given how ordinary the standard 7 Series - a 730d, granted - felt on the launch, that has to be good news.
Bring it to the UK Alpina. Please
The Alpina Classic wheels combined with a fairly mild bodykit make for a very handsome saloon too, particularly in the Alpina Blue seen here. Will anyone be brave enough to opt for Alpina Green?
In the US, this new B7 will be available from September this year. There is no word yet on UK availability (we're chasing it up!), but it seems unlikely given the 750i isn't offered here in all-wheel drive. Seems a shame when there's an AMG S-Class and the Audi S8 Plus to pinch a few customers from...