BMW ALPINA B7

Is a regular 7 Series not quite exciting or exclusive enough for you? Well, consider checking out the 2021 BMW Alpina B7. Developed by independent manufacturer Alpina, the B7 is a high-performance 7 Series available at your local BMW dealer. It slots between the 750i and the M760i in terms of price, using the engine from the former and boosting it to power levels similar to the latter. Though it's fair to say BMW's classic "Ultimate Driving Machine" ad tagline doesn't fit every vehicle the brand makes anymore, the description is quite apt for the Alpina B7.

The B7's upgrades aren't limited to just engine enhancements. The B7 also features a sport exhaust system, an increased top speed thanks to the use of specialized non-run-flat tires, and Alpina-specific tuning for the transmission, suspension and all-wheel-drive system. It also features two unique paint schemes not offered on any other BMW. Upgrades to the interior are minor but include a steering wheel wrapped in Alpina's signature Lavalina leather.  

Perhaps even more important than the overall performance of the Alpina B7 is its exclusivity. Other than price, there are no barriers to entry in this class — if you want a Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class or Audi S8, you simply go to the dealer and buy one. Alpina produces fewer than 2,000 cars annually, and most are variants of less expensive BMW models destined for other countries. The U.S. allocation is fairly small, making the B7 a rare sight indeed. We think the Alpina B7's asking price is worth the level of performance, comfort and exclusivity afforded by this illustrious sedan.

Which ALPINA B7 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 BMW Alpina B7 is a high-performance variant of the BMW 7 Series large luxury sedan. Under its hood is a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing a massive 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The B7 comes in a single well-equipped trim, with a small number of features packages and stand-alone options.

B7 Standard features for the Alpina B7 include:

• 20-inch wheels with summer performance tires
• Rear-axle steering
• Air suspension with adaptive dampers with road-sensing camera
• Panoramic sunroof
• Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• Leather interior trim
• Heated armrests and steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated front seats with massage
• Heated rear seats
• Power rear sunshades
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Ceramic-trimmed interior controls
• Wireless smartphone charging pad

The Alpina B7 also comes with a full suite of advanced safety and driver aids, such as:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the B7 and the car in front)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Front and rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Alpina B7 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Though already loaded to the gills with goodies, the Alpina B7 has a few packages and stand-alone options for further personalization. These include:

• Luxury Rear Seating package
• Power-adjustable rear seats with ventilation and massage
• Heated rear armrests
• Rear touchscreen control panel
• Rear Executive Lounge Seating package
• Luxury Rear Seating package
• Electrically deployable footrest for right rear passenger
• Rear-seat entertainment system
• Rear console replaces middle seat
• Removes some functionality from front passenger seat
• Interior Design package
• Wood grab handles, rear armrest and seat-belt covers
• Imitation suede headliner
• Premium floor mats
• 21-inch wheels
• All-season tires
• Ambient lighting for the sunroof
• Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system