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Kraftwagen König
BMW Alpina B7 (2009) CAR review
By Ben Whitworth
It sells fewer cars in one year (1304 in 2008) than BMW sells in a week, but despite its diminutive output, Alpina has an exceptionally high degree of recognition. Built on a reputation for peerless engineering, exceptional build quality and some pretty dodgy decals, the Bavarian firm has a knack for taking good cars and making them so much better, and in doing so creating a legion of fiercely loyal fans. Its latest offering is the B7 – a vast high-speed limousine based on the new 7-series. It’s big, bold and exclusive. The last word in automotive willy-waving for CEOs in a hurry.
So the Alpina B7 is simply a quicker BMW 7-series with a fast-looking aero kit?
It’s much more than that, I can assure you. It would be relatively easy for a common-or-garden tuner to slap on a bit of a body kit, bigger wheels, get the magic screwdriver and turn up the turbo boost and call it a four-door supercar. But Alpina is all about serious engineering – every aspect of its cars has an engineering basis. They don’t do frippery and whimsy in Buchloe.
Take the B7’s stunning 21-spoke finned wheels – their air valves are secreted in the central hub rather than on the rim to ensure supreme high-speed stability. Then there's the 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 powerplant – the all-alloy unit is fitted with bespoke blowers and air-water-water-air intercoolers, high-performance cylinders and a trio of electronic control units. Result? A hefty 507bhp at 5500rpm and 517lb ft of torque at 3000rpm.
It’s brisk, then?
It’s more than that – it’s blindingly quick. The blown V8 delivers shattering acceleration – the B7 is as quick as an Aston Martin Vantage to 60mph – and headbutts its 174mph electronic limiter with a callous disregard for physics. Acceleration in any gear and any speed is so instant and so effortless speed that it immediately calls for a recalibration of your speed-distance-time triangle. Crisp throttle response, a six-speed Switchtronic transmission that flicks smoothly and quickly through the cogs and a lovely creamy soundtrack make ripping through the gears irresistibly addictive. Especially when it satisfyingly reduces tail-sniffing Porsche 911s into lumbering specs in your rear-view mirror……
BMW Alpina B7 (2009) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online
Verdict
Many will blanche at the B7’s eye-watering £95,900 asking price – that’s more than most people will ever spend on their homes – but believe it or not, even at that price the B7 looks like rather good value. Yes, it’s pricier than the top dog Audi S8 and Maserati Quattroporte GT S, but then it’s also cheaper than the Mercedes S 65 AMG and the Bentley Flying Spur. For your money you get exceptional exclusivity, ridiculous performance and sumptuous comfort underpinned by exceptional engineering integrity. It’s a compelling package.
Perfect said!! Still my favourite Bimmers - if I would only have the money! 
And especially the Lavalina interior are stunning! 
