M or Alpina? M or Alpina? Some people may begin this discussion by defining an alpina. Most BMW enthusiasts and owners are aware of the value of the M badge. When you go behind the wheel of one, we know what to anticipate. A street-legal automobile with the DNA of a race car. This typically results in a noisy, violent, and intense event. Another business that BMW partners with, which is either ignored or not acknowledged at all, is lurking in the background. Having worked together for more than 50 years, BMW and Alpina have created some incredible automobiles.
Although the Alpina was designed with elegance in mind, the engine was not compromised. The factory engines from the standard 3, 5, 6 and 7 series are modified by Alpina to typically provide greater power than the M type. As a result, extremely quick real luxury touring cars are produced. Although the two brands have many distinctions, which one performs arguably better on the daily highways we travel?
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Top BMW-Alpina Models Through the Years
Some of the best BMWs in history have been transformed by Alpina into performance monsters that rival supercars.
Some car enthusiasts might believe that Alpina is just an aftermarket tuner that modifies BMWs a little and charges a premium for them. There is no way that this is true. Alpina is technically a part of BMW, but the rigorous German Federal Ministry of Transport insists that Alpina is a separate company.
After a failed attempt to manufacture typewriters, Alpina was established in 1965 as a manufacturer of BMWs. Alpina-tuned BMWs won race after race, including hill climbs and the 1970 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium. At first, the business adjusted cylinder heads and carburetors. Since then, Alpina has essentially adjusted every BMW model to have a little bit more power, comfort, and refinement.
Some current Alpina models are quicker than authentic BMW “M” vehicles. Even the B7, an unofficial M7, is produced by Alpina alongside the regular 7-Series. Since many of the cars are identical or comparable, all Alpinas are produced on the same production lines as their BMW equivalents. The top BMW-Alpina vehicles over the years are listed here.
The ALPINA XB7 is reviewed by Autocar. Is it worth the extra cost over the BMW X7 M50i?
The ALPINA XB7 is an intriguing vehicle since, compared to other ALPINA products, it is most likely the least obviously different from the BMW on which it is based. As far as the eye can tell, it’s not all that different from a BMW X7 M50i, which carries a far lower price tag, despite the fact that it looks better thanks to the wheels and has some nicer interior decor. Autocar therefore questions whether or not the ALPINA is worth the additional cost.
There is a strong case to be made that the price premium isn’t justified. Although the BMW X7 M50i and the ALPINA XB7 are both excellent SUVs, there is no reason to spend more money on one over the other given how close they are. There doesn’t appear to be much of a need to do this on paper. The 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in the XB7 produces 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft, compared to the X7 M50i’s 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. However, that doesn’t really increase speed all that much.
The X7 M50i is already already highly flexible, has an interior that is very similar to it with equally stunning materials, and has the same amount of interior space. So there is a case to be made for the X7 M50i being the better investment. However, we’d contend that the ALPINA XB7 is without a doubt worth the premium price if you can spend over $100,000 on an ultra-luxury SUV because of the way it drives.
Compare any BMW product to its ALPINA counterpart while driving, and you’ll quickly discover that the latter has smoother steering, more subtle ride quality, and more pleasurable handling. Compared to their BMW contemporaries, ALPINAs have a more fluid driving style. Utilizing an ALPINA’s controls is similar to operating smooth, well-maintained, precise machinery. It’s virtually impossible to describe. Additionally, even if the ALPINA might not seem to be improving much, it is comforting to know that it is actually stronger and more capable.
For instance, ALPINA sent over a few XB7 SUVs for us journalists to test during a BMW press event on track. Unexpectedly, I discovered those XB7s ready to be wrecked on the circuit. I questioned the BMW executives, incredulous that we would actually be permitted to operate the enormous, luxurious war elephants on a track. They not only replied “yes,” but they also claimed that Andreas Bovenseipen, the head of ALPINA, had requested it. He sent over multiple sets of tires to be destroyed in the process and particularly instructed BMW to track-drive the ALPINA XB7. That is how you can tell ALPINA is serious and that they are worth the extra cost.
What Is The Price Of A BMW XB7?
On the Spartanburg, South Carolina, SUV manufacturing line, an XB7 with a starting price of $142,295 (including delivery) joins the 335-horsepower BMW X7 xDrive40i ($75,895) and the 523-horsepower X7 M50i ($100,795). Spartanburg produces the X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7 SUVs, making it the country’s top revenue-generating auto exporter during the past ten years. (Only the X2 is produced somewhere else.) The Alpina components are added as the soon-to-be XB7 progresses down the line. Larger turbochargers and more radiators are added to the 4.4-liter V8 engine to help keep the engine fluids and oil cool. A stronger automatic transmission is used. Stainless steel is used in the exhaust system. Leather covers the dashboard, and customers can request woods that are specific to Alpina. According to Baxley, “the seats and the interior upholstery are all based on the X7.”
For a total of seven passengers, the second row can be configured as a bench seat or as captain’s seats for six people. The seats can recline, although they aren’t nearly as comfortable as the second-row business-class recliners on the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS of the current generation (the X7 full-size equal). High-end luxury sub-brand Maybach has a Mercedes-Maybach S 650 car that starts at $247,000.
According to Baxley, BMW is planning to make the front passenger’s seat extremely plush and recline in a way that prevents the passenger from sliding forward if the car suddenly slows down. At the CES 2020 trade exhibition in January in Las Vegas, this was displayed in concept as the ZeroG Lounger.
Some Alpina parts need to be manually installed on the XB7 after it leaves the assembly line. The nearly finished automobiles are transported from Germany to Buchloe. Just off the production line in Spartanburg is a special Alpina final assembly facility. The finished automobiles are sold by BMW dealers and come with the same four-year, 50,000-mile guarantee as the rest of the series.
The Alpina XB7 costs $156,895 with every option selected. This price includes a Bowers & Wilkins 20-speaker audio system ($3,400) and enormous 23-inch wheels, which are $2,600 larger than the 21-inch alloy wheels that come standard. Standard driver assistance features include an efficient highway self-driving mode (the driver still must remain alert).
There are various variations on the BMW M/Motorsport theme available for enthusiasts seeking a BMW that stands out from the pack, from white, red, and blue M badges purchased from the dealer parts counter to M-flavored vehicles like the M550i (523 horsepower, $77,795) and the full-on M5 (600 horsepower, $104,500). They have strong, often stiff suspensions, and some have throaty, even loud suspensions. They are swift and forceful. The golden rule when purchasing a full-on M vehicle is to take your companion along for the test drive and navigate some rough terrain. The relationships may be negatively impacted by those without adaptive suspensions.
The most similar vehicle to the full-on M variant is an Alpina BMW (here, the X7 M50i). Inside the cockpit and outside, the Alpina will have a smoother ride, a wider power band, and less exhaust noise. There is an additional cost, in this case $41,500, for an SUV with Alpina-blue Brembo brakes and badges on the front, sides, and back. Drivers who want to move quickly but don’t want a loud car can consider the Alpina. Perhaps the quiet richness is whispering there.
Review of the 613 horsepower upgraded BMW X7 by Alpina
Shall we give it a name? It’s a massive gargoyle with the aesthetic nuance and cultural sophistication of a concrete paving slab. When BMW created the X7, it was obvious that it had the iX EV in mind. Though Alpina hasn’t exactly risen to the occasion, I believe that BMW is to blame for this rather than Alpina.
It has. We have now reached the main bone of dispute. The theme of Alpina is understatement. The models it improves gain a certain aesthetic edge, but it’s always done softly. Even though there wasn’t much to work with in the raw material, the typical Alpina trimmings this time around worsen the situation rather than simply improving the looks.
At this scale, pinstriping, chrome slabs, and multi-spoke alloy wheels appear a little silly.
The already is that really appropriate in this day and age PS96k X7 M50i, with its 4.4-liter 530bhp twin turbo V8 and no sign of any hybrid aid, serves as the XB7’s base. It’s difficult to adore a car these days, but many others are too, including the Lamborghini Urus, the supercharged Range Rover Sport, the Bentayga, the Cullinan, and even the Audi SQ8.
After removing the stock turbos and installing a larger pair, finding room for two extra water coolers, and thoroughly inspecting the rest of the engine bay, especially the eight-speed auto gearbox, which has undergone a major overhaul, Alpina sends the vehicle out the door with 613 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque—boosts of 89 horsepower and 37 pound-feet over stock.
But I bet it doesn’t end there. In fact, I’m willing to wager that it keeps going. Hopefully you get what I mean.
Let’s start with that since I do. The brakes are really powerful. For a 2,580 kg SUV, I wouldn’t have believed it was possible to over-spec the brakes, but I had to try them because they were so good. This can reach 60 mph in less than 30 meters and in 2.8 seconds, which puts it on pace with the BMW M5 or Ferrari F8 Tributo. Since you asked, four piston Brembo calipers clamped down on 395mm front discs. But these are the high performance cross-drilled brakes that are optionally available.
Luxury, Power, and Dynamics in a New Contemporary Design
The BMW ALPINA B7 has led the ALPINA model lineup since 2016, captivating enthusiasts all over the world with its excellent performance and unmatched driving experience. The BMW ALPINA B7 enters a new age in 2019 after undergoing extensive upgrades that make it smart, opulent, and powerful. The new BMW ALPINA B7 is equipped with an improved drivetrain, a completely revamped design, and cutting-edge driver assistance and connection features to satisfy even the most discerning consumers.
With bi-turbo charging, the most recent 4.4-liter V8 engine produces 447 kW (608 horsepower) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. The new BMW ALPINA B7 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds (formerly 3.7 seconds) and can reach a top speed of 330 km/h thanks to an increase in power and torque at lower rpm and sophisticated transmission technology (205 mph).
What makes Alpina BMW unique?
The Alpina brand of automobiles is renowned for its focus on luxury, increased torque and performance, and distinctive style with unique colors, badging, and other features not generally found on BMW vehicles. The Alpina XD3 and XD4 vehicles, as well as SAVs based on the X3 and X4 vehicles, are current models.
BMW produces Alpina?
On Thursday, BMW made the announcement that it had bought Alpina, the luxury coachbuilder behind some of the world’s coolest and most recognizable customized BMWs. From 2025 on, Alpina will become a part of the BMW Group, relocating its manufacturing operations from its Buchloe headquarters to BMW’s facilities.
Since 1965, Alpina and BMW have collaborated closely to produce specially engineered, high-performance versions of the German automaker’s vehicles. According to BMW Blog, the two firms already extended their collaboration to continue creating, producing, and marketing automobiles under the Alpina brand until 2025. According to that agreement, BMW will assemble cars on its production lines and then ship them to Alpina’s Buchloe plant where they will be transformed into full-fledged Alpinas.
Thanks to this new agreement between the brands, that procedure will change starting in 2025. BMW and Alpina have decided to keep the financial terms of the deal under wraps, but they have outlined how things will function moving forward. Alpina’s Buchloe factory south of Munich will continue to provide services, parts, and accessories, but assembly of Alpina vehicles will be shifted to BMW’s primary production lines.
In 2025, this transition will result in the loss of a number of employees at the Buchloe factory. According to a statement, BMW states that it will “provide new positions with the BMW Group to those employees who will not be able to continue working at the Buchloe factory and also help them find new careers with suppliers and research partners.”
What does this imply for Alpina in the United States? Most likely not much. In the United States, BMW is the only place to purchase a new Alpina. Additionally, BMW only offers the B7, B8 Gran Coupe, and XB7 as Alpina models for sale in the United States. That won’t likely change very soon, in our opinion.