For decades, Alpina has been taking BMW models and outfitting them with a plethora of upgrades to lift them to new heights. The BMW X7-based Alpina XB7 and the BMW 3-Series-based Alpina B3 are two of its most recent models. In this video, Alpina chief executive Andreas Bovensiepen gives us a tour of both.
The most recent of the two is the Alpina XB7 and, unless BMW decides to produce an M version of the X7, it is the XB7 that will remain the most powerful, luxurious, and exclusive version of the flagship SUV on sale.
Driving the XB7 is a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing an impressive 612 hp at 5,500 – 6,600 rpm and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque between 2,000 to 5,000 rpm. This amount of power makes the XB7 capable of hitting 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 4 seconds while the SUV can also rocket down the quarter-mile in just 12.6 seconds and top out at 180 mph (290 km/h).
Read More: New 2021 BMW Alpina XB7 Is A 612HP Cure To Your X7 M Itch
Further adding to the SUV’s dynamics is an electronically-variable active limited-slip differential at the rear axle that is said to improve traction during dynamic driving by minimizing slip-induced losses and distributing torque effectively to the wheel with the most available grip at any given time.
As for the Alpina B3, it uses a modified 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine with 455 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque available from just 2,500 rpm. Coupled to this engine is a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with Alpina-specific software and revised transmission mechatronics that promises to deliver more responsive and quicker shift times.