2017 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive

Fast enough was supposed to be 193 mph: That was the top-speed forecast offered when the 2017 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive was launched at the 2016 Geneva auto show. That impressive number has since been revised. During testing on the 7.8-mile circular track in Nardò, Italy, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires worked so well that Alpina decided to raise the terminal velocity to a robust 205 mph. That puts the top-of-the-line Alpina-tuned Bimmer comfortably ahead of the competition from Mercedes-AMG, Bentley, and Porsche.

Starting at $137,995, the Alpina B7 stands at the top of the 7-series lineup, at least until BMW’s own M760i appears. But the Alpina offers a distinctly different character: The M760i will be powered by an updated version of BMW's twin-turbocharged V-12, while the B7 employs a twin-turbo V-8, based on the 750i's 4.4-liter N63 eight-cylinder. Alpina’s designation for its version of the engine, confusingly, is M3; the car’s name contains the suffix Biturbo in other markets. Alpina—closely allied with Munich but still independent—makes extensive modifications that include upgraded turbochargers, its own intake and intercooler setup, special Mahle pistons, an Alpina dual-mode exhaust, and up to 20 psi of boost, lifting maximum output from 445 to 600 horsepower. Peak torque is rated at 590 lb-ft and available on a plateau that stretches from 3000 to 5000 rpm. Funny coincidence there: The M760i also will be rated at 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, but it will come with a 155-mph governor (optionally increased to 190 mph, just enough to top the Mercedes-AMG S63’s 186-mph governor). Alpina says the B7 accelerates to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which may be as conservative as the original top-speed forecast; a 2013 Alpina B7 we tested with a mere 560 horsepower ran to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, and we expect the new model to be about 200 pounds lighter.

In the B7, torque is channeled to all four wheels via the well-proven ZF 8HP eight-speed automatic, albeit reprogrammed for quicker shifting. The BMW xDrive system has been adjusted to deliver a decidedly more rear-biased torque distribution, fitting the dynamic character of this luxury performance sedan. This car is not just about straight-line performance—it’s also about agility and superior cornering. All-wheel steering is included, tuned more aggressively than in the regular 7-series, and the ride height has been lowered, paying dividends in the looks department. The result of these enhancements, and of this fantastic power, is an almost surreal driving experience. The twin-turbocharged V-8 reacts instantly, and its pull is relentless—even as the car nears 200 mph.

Aerodynamic drag builds exponentially with speed, so it takes some time to stack the final dozen mph onto the speedometer. Traffic prevented us from verifying the B7's 205-mph terminal velocity when we drove it on its German home turf. However, we managed to touch an indicated 198 mph on a relatively short stretch of unrestricted Bundesstraße. It is nearly impossible for other drivers to correctly judge the speed of an approaching B7. Extreme caution is advised, and it is good that this two-ton-plus luxobarge is fitted with extremely large brakes that exhibited not a hint of fade during our drive.

Few other large sedans can go this fast or accelerate to such high speeds so quickly. The high-speed stability is virtually unmatched, thanks to the B7's long wheelbase and that all-wheel steering system, which turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels at higher velocities. As such, directional changes at this speed lose their fear factor. The deeper front fascia and the long rear spoiler, designed specifically for the B7, are said to significantly reduce lift, and the car indeed felt planted at all speeds.

Even though the B7 remains very much an upper-luxury sedan, it delivers a noticeably more sporty driving experience than does the 750i. And that’s true even if you don't exceed legal limits. The Alpina’s exhaust has a far more pronounced growl than the 750i’s. The power steering is nicely weighted; on winding country roads, the B7 seems to shrink to the size of a 5-series. The car shoots out of corners briskly, lets the driver play with a bit of power oversteer, and—if you dare stay on the gas pedal—hurls you toward the horizon with warp-like thrust.

There is plenty on which the eyes can feast, too. Inside, Alpina has enhanced the 7-series cockpit with a number of exclusive accents. The steering wheel is graced by an Alpina logo, and the gears are selected via buttons placed on the back of the steering wheel: Alpina's "Switch-Tronic" is a company exclusive, and we found it works at least as well as the usual paddles (which are available by special request) to keep your hands on the wheel. Alternatively, you can pull back on the console-mounted shifter to upshift and push it forward to downshift, just as in a race car.

One of the most prominent changes to the B7, and an Alpina first, is an instrument cluster with a specific Alpina look. Facilitated by its digital nature, the cluster changes with the driving modes. In Comfort mode, the gauges are entirely blue; the Sport modes add digital speed and selected gear information. Only the Eco Pro mode—yes, it's still there—retains the original BMW design. Choosing Eco Pro feels counterintuitive in such an extremely fast vehicle, even though the European fuel-economy figures—22.6 mpg in the ludicrously optimistic combined driving cycle—suggest superior efficiency. Push hard and it’s easy to consume fuel at twice that rate.

An obligatory stop at a gas station gave us time to admire the B7's exterior. Beyond the 750i, the B7 is fitted with 20-inch Alpina Classic wheels (21-inch pieces will be available), functional front and rear spoilers, and an impressive four-tip stainless-steel exhaust system. Only the Alpina offers the special colors Alpina Blue and Alpina Green II, as well as the set of silver or gold trim appliqués that have distinguished Alpina models for almost 50 years.

In the B7’s German home market, many Alpina customers skip the decals and the rest of the badging, presenting their Alpinas as nothing more exceptional than a regular BMW. The lowered stance and wheels give it away, of course, but at 205 mph it will pass by so quickly that few will ever know what the heck it was, with or without its identifiers.

Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

BASE PRICE: $137,995

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 268 cu in, 4395 cc
Power: 600 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 126.4 in
Length: 206.7 in
Width: 74.9 in Height: 58.7 in
Passenger volume: 115 cu ft
Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
Curb weight (C/D est): 4800 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 3.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.9 sec
Top speed: 205 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway: 15/24 mpg