Alpina’s next vehicle will be a tuned version of the jumbo-sized BMW X7, badged the XB7.
It’s set to launch in Australia early next year, offering even more performance than the bahn-storming BMW X7 M50i.
It delivers 457kW of power and 800Nm of torque from its fettled twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine, compared to 390kW and 750Nm from the X7 M50i.
Modifications include two additional external water coolers, an enlarged transmission oil cooler and new intercoolers.
It has enough extra shove over the X7 M50i to do the 0-100km/h dash in just 4.2 seconds, five tenths of a second better than the M50i and identical to the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.
The top speed is 290km/h, not that you’ll ever be able to reach that here in Australia.
It uses a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic, through which power is delivered to all four wheels.
Under the WLTP combined cycle, the XB7 consumes an estimated 13.9L/100km when equipped with the standard 21-inch alloy wheels.
About those wheels: if you find them too small, you can option gargantuan 23-inch alloy wheels. These lightweight aluminium wheels are the largest ever fitted to an Alpina production vehicle and come wrapped in Pirelli P Zero ALP tyres.
Like the X7 M50i, the XB7 uses a two-axle adaptive air suspension which can be lowered by up to 40mm. There’s also Active Roll Stabilisation, an electronically-variable limited-slip differential at the rear, plus Integral Active Steering to help reduce the turning circle of this XL SUV.
Alpina has also fitted its own active exhaust system, with twin tailpipes poking out from a revised rear fascia.
Likewise, there’s a new front bumper with a slimmer air dam and fog light cut-outs and a prominent chrome bar.
Inside, you’ll find six or seven seats, available in Merino or optional Lavalina leather upholstery; the centre row can either be specified as a three-seater bench or as two individual seats.
The iDrive controller is finished in crystal glass with a lasered Alpina logo, while other Alpina touches inside include a blue illuminated gear selector switch, illuminated door sills, and an Alpina sport steering wheel in Lavalina leather with the firm’s trademark blue and green stitching.
Myrtle wood trim is standard, with piano black lacquer or natural walnut anthracite optional.
If the XB7’s cabin isn’t decadent enough for you, you can also contract the Alpina leather workshop to do unique stitching and embossing.
Pricing for the XB7 has yet to be announced but expect it to be higher than that of the X7 M50i, which retails for $175,900 before on-road costs.
In this stratosphere of high-performance, three-row SUVs, there’s little competition.
Audi’s SQ7 uses a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre diesel V8, though it’s still able to hit 100km/h in 4.8 seconds – not as quick as the XB7, but not too shabby either. Plus, fuel consumption is almost half that of the Alpina, if you’re the kind of high-performance luxury SUV buyer who cares about such things.
The aforementioned Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is also set to arrive in Australia sometime this year, while the Bentley Bentayga is even faster but considerably more expensive.
The XB7 is Alpina’s third tuned SUV. It currently offers only the XD3 here, a twin-turbocharged diesel version of the BMW X3. In other markets, it offers a similarly-specified version of the BMW X4 called the XD4.
