2021 BMW ALPINA B7

As mentioned before, the 2021 BMW ALPINA B7 is a standalone single trim model with a starting price of MSRP of $143,200. Under its hood is a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. Being a bespoke model, there are many unique badges and exterior elements like 20-inch signature wheels and ALPINA signature quad-exhausts. On the inside too, every surface is covered in Nappa leather upholstery alongside a variety of wooden trims.

Besides, the B7 is a paradise for innovative technological features, and this is especially felt throughout the cabin. Standard features with the 2021 ALPINA B7 are quad-zone climate control, 20-way power front seats with massage and memory functions, power panoramic sunroof, to name a few. The 10.25 Infotainment touchscreen at the center of the dashboard supports only Apple CarPlay, and gets BMW’s both gesture and command controls. To further improve the ambiance, there is a standard 16-speaker Harman Kardon set up, but for $3,400, it could be upgraded to an optional 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround system.

Which Trim should you buy?

Since there are no other trims with the 2021 ALPINA B7, the decision comes down to whether you should have it with options or not. If you find yourself more of a rear seat occupant, then the Rear Executive Lounge Seating Package with an exclusive lounge treatment should be on your cart. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system is worth the upgrade and noticeable. But if you see yourself in the driver's seat more often, then the Luxury Rear Seating Package should be a default choice. All in all, there are quite the options to play around with, irrespective of which the 2021 ALPINA B7 is very well-specced, and even in its standard form, it's not disappointing at all.

Fuel efficiency is not the name of the game, especially with performance vehicles. However, the 2021 ALPINA B7 is the most fuel-efficient vehicle of the lot that returns 17/24/19 MPG in city/highway/combined situations. But with a comparatively smaller fuel tank that can hold only 20.6 gallons of fuel, its range suffers a bit for it returns 494 miles on the highway at best.

The Porsche Panamera can hold the most amount of fuel at 23.7 gallons, and that helps this sedan travel just above 402 miles in the combined road and driving conditions even while being the least efficient one here. But it's the Mercedes Maybach that provides the most range at 421 miles, as it returns 19 mpg on the highway. The Audi S8 has a marginally bigger fuel tank, but it does not help its case as much. The Alpina is a fuel-efficient machine and is head to head with the Maybach in terms of fuel economy. 

The US-spec ALPINA B7 models get the same interior available in the 7 series model, with the addition of ALPINA badges on the steering wheel, the digital gauge, alongside a unique wood trim inlaid on the dashboard with a small ALPINA Crest. The BMW 7 series already gets standard leather upholstery, but in the ALPINA B7, it gets upgraded to standard Nappa leather. For an additional few more dollars, this can be upgraded to Merino leather with an anthracite headliner.

Standard seating capacity with the ALPINA B7 is five people but is equipped with the Rear Executive Lounge package, then the number comes down to four. With the package, there’s also a center console in the middle of the rear seats that gives access to the infotainment system and seating configurations. The front row gets standard heated, ventilated seats with massage options and 20-way power-adjustable with memory settings. The 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space of the ALPINA B7 is modest at best, but it is the biggest in this segment.

The Maybach is undoubtedly the most comfortable and luxurious one, and this is where its higher price is truly justified. In terms of luxury, the Maybach is a step higher than all of the competition here. The Alpine offers the most cargo capacity while all of these machines are luxurious and comfortable during long trips. The following are some of the prominent interior features of the 2021 BMW Alpina B7-

• Nappa Leather upholstery
• ALPINA Piano Black Trim
• Heated and ventilated front seats with massage.
• Heated rear seats
• Illuminated door-sill finishers with ALPINA designation
• Black panel center console with brushed aluminum, touch-sensitive controls
• Quad-Zone climate control
• Panoramic moonroof

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system of the 2021 BMW ALPINA B7 is the same as BMW’s iDrive 7.0 infotainment system. It is displayed on a 10.25-inch touchscreen interface that gets both command and gesture control. Besides that, the ALPINA B7 gets Bluetooth connectivity, Navigation, and Wifi connectivity, alongside HD radio and SiriusXM satellite radio. 

Still missing out in the 2021 ALPINA B7 is Android Auto, but Apple CarPlay is available. Rear seat occupants have access to infotainment controls in the form of a 7-inch command tablet, that is available with the Luxury Rear Seating package. Also standard on the B7 is a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, which can be upgraded to a 16-speaker Bowers and Wilkins Diamond surround system. So, to sum up, some of the key infotainment features are:

• Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system with a 464-watt amplifier and 16 speakers
• BMW Assist eCall
• ConnectedDrive Services
• WiFi hotspot
• Navigation
• Bluetooth
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 1-year All Access Subscription

Leaving aside the controversial kidney grille that covers the front fascia, adorned by sleek adaptive LED headlights on both sides. The 2021 ALPINA B7 looks a lot like the regular BMW 7 series, with some crucial upgrades. For starters, the standard 20-inch bespoke ALPINA classic wheels separate it from the rest of the 7 series line-up, and they can be further upgraded to 21-inches. 

The front splitter is also deeper and more aerodynamically appropriate which helps in improved performance. The rear fascia is properly complemented by a bespoke rear diffuser with a small rear spoiler, and coupled with the signature ALPINA quad tailpipes, the B7 is more fierce-looking than a regular 7 series. Overall keeping the huge grille part, the Alpine is one of the sportiest looking ones here. 

However, the 2021 B7 is a little taller than the previous model at 58.7 inches and with a curb weight of 4866 lbs, is very slightly heavier too. There are numerous exterior color options with the B7, with one non-metallic option in ALPINA White, alongside Black Sapphire, ALPINA Blue, and Alpine Green, and an exclusive Frozen Bluestone metallic color. However, the Panamera is the sportiest one here and the Maybach looks the most luxurious. To sum up, some of the highlight exterior features of the Alpina B7 include-

• Muscular fender
• ALPINA signature exhaust system with quad tailpipes
• 20-inch ALPINA Classic wheels
• Chrome accent finishes on air intakes, rocker panel stripes, and rear trunk strip

The 2021 BMW ALPINA B7 has neither been crash-tested by the NHTSA nor the IIHS. However, the J.D Power report for reliability has given the ALPINA B7 a score of 79 out of 100, and it ranks before the Panamera in its reliability index list. Some of the standard safety features on the ALPINA B7 include ABS, stability and traction control, and dual airbags for front, front side, and side curtain airbags. There’s also a driving assist feature onboard like lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view 360 degrees. Some of the key safety features are:

• Adaptive brake lights
• BMW’s Active Protection System
• Active knee protection
• Active cruise control
• Parking assistant plus
• Active driving assistant professional
• Active lane-keeping assistant with Slide collision avoidance
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Programmable LED DRLs
• Adaptive LED headlights

2021 BMW ALPINA B7 vs 2021 Mercedes Maybach S580

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach S580 has a less powerful engine than the ALPINA B7. This makes it slower than the BMW ALPINA by more than a second. However, the Maybach has a posh interior that will leave you spoiled. But sadly, ALPINA also offers the same refinement with its interior and it costs less too. So, in this comparison, the ALPINA B7 triumphs over the Mercedes. Maybach S580.

2021 BMW ALPINA B7 vs 2021 Audi S8

The 2021 Audi S8 is a comparatively cheaper car and it also feels seriously less powerful compared to the B7. Despite a marginally smaller, 4.0-liter V8, the Audi S8 does not boast the same fuel efficiency figures as in the B7. The Audi S8 also has less space for cargo, which makes it less practical than the B7.

2021 BMW ALPINA B7 vs 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive

The Porsche gives solid competition to the BMW ALPINA B7 when it comes to performance. With a smaller 4.0-liter V8, the Panamera Turbo S Executive saloon produces 20 more hp at 620 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque, compared to the BMW ALPINA B7’s 600 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The Porsche also weighs less than the B7, and this helps the former when it comes to acceleration where it is quicker than the Bimmer.

The 2021 BMW ALPINA B7 is more of a luxury vehicle with the benefit of a highly powerful engine. It is quicker than its contemporary M Performance model and its peers, including Mercedes and Audi. If you want a BMW with style and speed and don’t want to compromise on technological gimmicks and assists - then the B7 is perfectly suited for the occasion.