The Alpina B7 is preparing for a comeback as a new high-performance luxury sedan based on BMW’s flagship 7 Series. After several years away, the model has entered high-speed testing at the Nardo Ring, offering an early look at its design, signature styling details and V8 powertrain.
Alpina B7 Returns to the BMW 7 Series
Alpina has a long history of transforming the BMW 7 Series into a high-performance sedan. Its early models included the B11 3.5, B11 4.0 and B12 5.0 V12, all based on the E32 generation. The company later introduced the B12 5.7 and B12 6.0, developed from the E38 7 Series.
The B7 name officially arrived during the E65 7 Series era and has remained part of Alpina’s lineup ever since. The model has been absent for a couple of years, and Alpina has not yet worked on the current-generation 7 Series.
That changed when BMW moved to bring Alpina into its group. The company subsequently promised that its first new vehicle would be a full-sized, high-performance sedan based on BMW’s flagship model.
First Look at the New Alpina B7
Alpina recently took its first new model in years to the Nardo Ring for high-speed testing. The company also released several pictures that provide an early look at the upcoming sedan.
The camouflaged vehicle clearly resembles the BMW 7 Series, rather than the Vision BMW Alpina concept unveiled a couple of months ago. However, the facelifted sedan provides a foundation for the new model, with distinctive Alpina styling details expected to further set it apart.
Even under camouflage, several signature features are visible. The car wears Alpina’s familiar multi-spoke wheels, a glimpse of Alpina Green paintwork and four oval exhaust pipes.
V8 Engine Could Deliver Nearly 600 Horsepower
The powertrain is the most important part of the new Alpina B7. The company has confirmed that the sedan will use a V8 engine, likely the familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbo unit that has powered numerous BMW models over the years.
The engine is understood to operate without electrification, potentially making the new B7 a purely combustion-powered performance sedan. Alpina has also tuned the powertrain, and its output is expected to exceed the figures produced by the M760.
For comparison, the M760 produces 563 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. A teaser video included figures of 439 kW and 784 Nm, which translate to approximately 589 horsepower and 578 lb-ft of torque.
Those numbers may not represent the final output, and the actual figures could be higher.
Alpina B7 Has Already Exceeded 186 MPH
Regardless of its final power figures, the new Alpina B7 has already demonstrated significant high-speed capability. The company managed to push the sedan beyond 186 mph (300 km/h) during testing.
Alpina has emphasized the word “Speed,” rather than “Sport,” when describing the car. With its V8 powertrain, luxury-focused character and demonstrated top speed, the new B7 could potentially reach 200 mph.
The upcoming sedan marks Alpina’s return to the BMW 7 Series lineup, combining the flagship model’s foundation with the brand’s distinctive styling and high-performance engineering.
