2020 BMW ALPINA B7

The Alpina B7 comes in a single trim only. It’s based on the 750i, in that it takes the 4.4L, V8 engine, tunes it with a whole lot of changes and sends it back to BMW. After the production, BMW sends the car back to Alpina so that they can put on their body kit and make the changes to the interior. The Alpina B7 comes loaded with every gimmick in a single model trim and goes against the equivalent M760i.

The BMW B7 returns 16 miles to the gallon combined which is an impressive number for such a heavy luxury car and fares equally in the competition as well. While you wouldn’t care much about fuel economy if you are buying a 7 series but its good for you to know that your car is not so much of a gas guzzler.

“ The B7 delivers comfort in spades. The supportive seats have wide adjustability and relaxing massage settings. The suspension and noise insulation protect the interior from most of the outside world. “ - Edmunds

Design

The interiors in the B7 is not much different from that in the regular 7 series. There’s an Alpina badge on the center console, different seat designs and bespoke Alpina wood trims. It carries the same layout and ergonomics of the 7-series. A large 10.1 inch floating infotainment screen takes center stage on the dashboard. The AC vents sit below it and the wood trim nicely carves its way around the AC vents which is a very nice detail. Below the AC vents are two bands of switches for the climate controls and music system and unlike every other manufacturer, BMW obliged to give physical switches for these controls and not screens which are very cumbersome to use.

Still, to satisfy the tech obsessed people, the screens for the climate controls and music controls are haptic touch screens but they feel like regular buttons to use. The center console flows down to make for some cup holders neatly hidden away under a wooden trim and then comes the center console controls with the gear selector, the i-drive rotary wheel and the Alpina badge. All materials used within the cabin are either metal, leather or wood and built quality is sensational with every surface feeling luxurious to touch and feel. The aesthetics are not as pleasing as the S-Class but it’s the best combination of practicality, form, technology and luxuriousness. Characterized by sharp lines all around, the M760i boasts of quite a bold interior. There are ‘Alpina’ badged tread plates as well.

The instrument cluster is all digital but there are physical outlines on the screen for the tachometer and the speedometer which is again a nice little detail. All the screens in the car are themselves high definition with very clear graphics and are very convenient to use as well. In fact, several controls like the gesture control, touch controls and the rotary knob make it very easy to interact with the car.

Seating and Comfort

The Alpina B7 has one of the best space of all the sedans in the competition. It shares its dimensions with the regular 7-series which means it has the same interior space. The seats themselves are very comfortable. They are heated and cooled and come with several massage functions. The headrests are cushioned and seats are wrapped in Nappa Leather with quilted stitched. They are very well sculpted to hold you well, in utmost comfort.

The rear seats can be had in either a bench option or you could have individual seats as well. When had in the bench seat configuration, you can seat three people comfortably. You also get rear entertainment screen from where you can control almost every function in the car as well. The arm rest folds down to reveal the seat controls and even a pop out tablet from where you can do your massage, set up the ambient light or anything you could fancy really.

When you have opted for the individual seats, you get a fixed center console with the pop out tablet, heated/cooled cup holders, executive seats which can be configured in several ways, rear foldable tray tables and even a refrigerator to keep your champagne chilled. There’s also a panoramic sunroof that adds further to the premium-ness of the cabin. Stretch out your seats, pull out your champagne bottles, pour out your drink and enjoy a sky full of stars under your panoramic roof as the world passes by.

Infotainment System

BMWs i-drive system is certainly the best infotainment system in the entire car industry. With multiple ways of interacting with the system, it’s very convenient on the go and the system itself is very intuitive and responsive. The Alpina B7 is loaded with every technology you can think of. The screens have crystal clear graphics and the interface itself is very smart.

The 10.3 inch screen can be used as a touch screen or you can use the rotary knob on the center console. The coolest party trick is the gesture control by which you can change volume or configure it do some specific function. The digital instrument cluster is quite configurable too and is operated by buttons on the steering wheel.

Cargo

The Alpina B7 has 18 cu.ft of cargo space, just 0.2 cu.ft lesser than the M760i. You could pack all you could ever need for a weekend trip for your entire family and still be left with some space to spare probably.

“The Alpina limo manages to outshine not only every contemporary M car but every mainstream BMW in this regard. Outrunning all large sedans, boasting exclusive Alpina flourishes, and channeling the core competencies of late BMW M cars.” – Car and Driver

Design

Alpina has put on some mild body kit on the 7-series to differentiate it from the lot but even that’s very subtly done. There’s a distinctive sporty character in the looks and it still manages to have a sense of poise and sophistication you would expect from a luxury sedan.

The face is dominated by the large kidney shaped grille which has grown broader over the years. The grille is flanked by the wrap around headlights right from the edge of the grille and it really gives the 7 series quite an aggressive look. The headlamps have laser technology and the corona rings have nice detailing in them. The bumpers have received a mild update with the addition of a lower lip to the bumper with the ‘Alpina’ script written on it. There’s some chrome garnish on the bumpers as well.

The side profile is very neat, garnished with a band of chrome accent running along the length of the car from the front fenders. At the fenders, the chrome band has been made to look like a hockey stick and it also doubles up as an air vent. What’s most attractive about the side profile is the 21 inch 20-spoke signature Alpina wheels with blue brake calipers which Alpina has been using since ages and boy, they look stunning.

At the rear, there’s another chrome accent band on the boot joining the two LED tail lamps. The tail lamps themselves are quite sleek and there’s also a deck lid spoiler. Some minor changes has been done to the bumpers with some more chrome and finished off with quad exhausts. The entire design is neat but aggressive and with an undertone of classy-ness.

Exterior Dimensions

The BMW Alpina B7 shares almost the same dimensions with the M760i. It’s just tenth of an inch longer, has the same width, half of an inch higher and has the same wheelbase as well. The Alpina B7 is however lighter than the M760i on account of a smaller engine. The Alpina and the M760i are midway between the Mercedes and the Porsche in terms of dimensions. They both are very well proportionate machines.

Exterior Features

• ALPINA CLASSIC light alloy Icon Adaptive LED Headlights
• Automatic high beams
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Chrome accent finishes (front air intakes, rocker panel strips, rear trunk strip)
• Choice of non-metallic or Metallic paints, including exclusive ALPINA Blue Metallic and ALPINA Green Metallic
• ALPINA signature exhaust system with quad tailpipes
• Specially designed ALPINA front apron, rear diffuser and rear spoiler

• Adaptive Brakelights
• BMW's Active Protection System detects imminent accidents, then prepares by automatically pretensioning safety belts, closing windows and moonroof, and activating post-crash braking; includes Fatigue and Focus Alert.
• Front and rear Head Protection System
• Active Front Headrests
• Driver's and passenger's front airbag supplemental restraint system
• 3-point safety belts with force limiters and head restraints at all seating positions
• Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags
• Acoustic safety-belt warning
• Front safety belts with automatic pretensioners
• LATCH attachments for child-restraint safety installation
• Automatic-locking retractors
• Impact sensor that activates Battery Safety Terminal disconnect of alternator, fuel pump and starter from battery; automatically unlocks doors; and turns on hazard and interior lights
• Daytime Pedestrian Protection
• Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation
• Speed Limit Info
• Lane Departure Warning
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Rear CrossTraffic Alert
• Programmable LED Daytime Running Lights

BMW Alpina B7 vs Mercedes AMG S63

The Mercedes S-class is really the benchmark in the luxury sedan segment. On the performance front, both cars are very similar indeed. The Mercedes is more powerful but the B7 series is lighter, therefore neutralizing each other’s performance. The Alpina is a still a little better to drive but the S-class has the best ride quality in the entire segment.

However, when it comes to luxury, the S-Class still remains unbeatable. The aesthetics of the S-Class and the entire ambience in the cabin is simply unmatched. The B7 is luxurious enough and with the right ergonomics and bold look inside and out, it makes for a very good package but there’s something about the S-class which exudes luxury like no other. On the upside, the B7 is better with its technology and gadgets. The Mercedes is a little more expensive than the B7 and because the B7 series makes for a better package and is also better value for money, it would be our pick of the two.

BMW Alpina B7 vs BMW M760i

The most natural competitor for the B7 is the M760i. One might even wonder why the B7 exists when there is already an M760i which has identical performance. The purpose of the B7 is its exclusivity as there are only a few Alpinas built against numerous 7 series it’s based on. What also differentiates the Alpina from the M760i is its engine. The former is powered by a V8 while the latter by a V12. We do have to admit that the engine in the M760i is sweater and also sounds better.

The M760i also looks better with its M-body kit. On the interior, both cars are mostly the same except for some ‘Alpina’ badges here and there. What really works for the B7 is that it’s much cheaper than the M760i but gives equal performance and is really exclusive for what it is. It makes better value for money and if you can look past the visual appearance, there isn’t much you would miss in the B7 that you get in the M760i. The B7 would be our pick of the two.

BMW Alpina B7 vs Porsche Panamera

The Panamera and the BMW B7 are very different cars. While one takes luxury very seriously, the other is quite performance focused. The Porsche Panamera is the fastest sedan here and being a Porsche, it naturally inherits all that dynamics and handling you would expect from a Porsche. On the down side, it rides quite firm and the feeling is nowhere close to the luxurious ride of the B7. It’s not harsh per se, but it’s significantly stiff for a luxury sedan.

The Porsche Panamera has become better looking over the years and in its present guise, it perhaps looks the most attractive. The interiors are very finely designed and it comes with a lot of technology and screens too. However, it does not feel near as luxurious as a B7 and it does not even intend to. The Panamera is about going fast with four people in an executive sedan with all creature comforts but not luxury overdone. Pricier than the Beemer, a choice between these two is pretty easy. If luxury is all you care about, get the B7. If you like going fast and if you really want to enjoy driving your executive sedan, buy the Panamera. 

The BMW Alpina B7 is a very competent luxury sedan in the face of the M760i and even the S-Class. It looks classy, the interiors are fantastic with right ergonomics, all possible creature comforts and the right amount of technology. The engine is great and it drives fine if not as great as other BMWs, still a better driver’s car than the Mercedes.

On the down side, the ride quality is still not S-Class level and the Mercedes S-Class just has that ambience of luxury which is really unmatched by other manufacturers. That said, the B7 is a more complete package combining the right amount performance, luxury and cool quotient that comes from its exclusivity and makes for a great alternative, perhaps even better than the Mercedes S-Class.