If the 7 Series represents the ultimate in BMW luxury, then the Alpina B7 qualifies as a supernatural specimen. You get a museum-quality interior overflowing in indulgences, along with a level of athleticism that defies the very nature of a full-size sedan. With too many attributes to count, the B7 makes the notion of the perfect automobile seem possible.
What's New For 2015
The Alpina B7 gets minor equipment revisions only.
Choosing Your BMW Alpina B7
Think of the B7 as a 7 Series that's graduated from the finest finishing school, namely Alpina, a German company that specializes in tuning BMWs. For starters, the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine is highly modified to produce 540 horsepower, up from 445 on the 750i. An eight-speed automatic transmission and a selectable driving mode system are standard.
Handling benefits from meticulous suspension tuning and summer performance tires on 21-inch wheels. (All-season tires and 19-inch wheels are now available at no cost.) Like other 7 Series sedans, the Alpina comes with rear- or all-wheel drive and your choice of wheelbases (standard or extended).
The B7 shines inside with wood trim harvested from Alpina's private forest, exclusive leather upholstery and a unique heated steering wheel. Comfort features include heated and ventilated front seats with driver memory, heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade and four-zone climate control.
As expected, technology is present in full force with a head-up display, voice controls, navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio, a rearview camera, parking sensors, adaptive LED headlamps and a bundle of integrated smartphone apps. The 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system features a six-disc CD/DVD changer and satellite radio.
The extended-wheelbase B7 can get a Luxury Rear Seating package featuring two individual seats with ventilation, massage and power adjustments. A dual-screen rear entertainment system is available with both wheelbases.
The optional Driver Assistance Plus package adds lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and a frontal collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection. Standalone options include adaptive cruise control, a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system and infrared night vision.
The Alpina B7 is obviously a complete luxury car and then some. The extended-wheelbase model with its abundant rear legroom seems geared toward executive transportation applications, not necessarily personal use. If you're obsessive about ride quality, we recommend the newly available no-cost 19-inch wheels and all-season tires. They limit your speed to 130 mph, as if that really matters, but provide an even silkier ride in everyday driving.