The 2020 BMW Alpina B7 Is the Fastest Sedan You Can Buy
Alpina has been tuning BMWs for over 50 years, adding more power, different chassis tuning, and styling enhancements like its ubiquitous graphics packages and multi-spoke wheels. In recent years, some Alpina models have been sold directly through BMW dealerships in the United States, with one of the most popular models being the B7, which is based on the 7-series sedan.
Following the release of the facelifted 2020 7-series, Alpina has revealed the new version of the B7, and it gets the same massive kidney grilles as the regular 7. Alpina-specific styling enhancements include a deeper front splitter with an Alpina logo, lower side skirts, and a new rear diffuser with quad exhaust tips. 20- or 21-inch wheels are available, and the Alpina is available in two exclusive, fabulous paint colors, a green and a blue. The B7 also gets some unique leather and wood interior options, as well as lots of Alpina badging and new graphics for the digital gauge cluster. As is typical with Alpina, the B7 is a lot more subtle than BMW's M Sport versions of the 7-series, which is a huge part of the brand's appeal, and Alpina's modifications do a lot to temper the new 7's divisive styling.
The new B7 uses the latest generation of BMW's twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 boosted to 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft, the same output as the previous B7. But Alpina says that new intercoolers, new engine-management software, and BMW's own improvements to the engine give the updated B7 a lower torque peak and better throttle response and power delivery. The B7 also gets an upgraded eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel-drive system, larger brake discs, a stainless-steel variable exhaust system, and a special Alpina air-suspension system that lowers itself at speed (or when Sport+ is engaged) and uses cameras to scan the road ahead and adjust accordingly.
Alpina says the new B7 will hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, 0.1 second quicker than the outgoing car. Given that we hit 60 in 3.4 with the previous model, we bet the new B7 will actually be in the 3.3-second range. But the bigger news is the increase in top speed. Alpina claims that the B7 will hit a whopping 205 mph, up from the old car's 193-mph top speed. That would make it the fastest sedan you can buy, beating out the 204-mph Dodge Charger Hellcat. The B7's top speed is also 50 mph higher than that of BMW's 600-hp, V-12–powered M760i (which will only hit 60 in 3.6 seconds, according to BMW).
The 2020 B7 will go on sale in the summer with a starting price of $142,695, a $2350 increase over the 2019 model and $39,050 more than a 2020 750i xDrive. Given its price, it's no surprise that the B7 already comes nearly fully loaded, although customers are still able to add fancier leather, some additional cosmetic items, and a luxurious rear-seat package. The B7 also is a $16,000 savings compared to the M760i, and we'd be hard pressed to choose the more expensive model even despite the extra four cylinders-there's just something special about Alpina BMWs, and this new B7 seems no different.
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