[bavarianbob]

The BMW X7 based Alpina XB7 is happening and undergoing development right now.

It's coming next year.

Alpina's largest model to date is set to join the market sometime in 2020. According to the company's boss, Andreas Bovensiepen, a performance version of the BMW X7 "would be great for the U.S." and what you are looking at in the gallery below is this particular vehicle. It's called the XB7 and is still under development, as seen by the masked prototype.

Think of it as the closest thing you will be able to buy to an X7 M. Alpina will heavily retune nearly every aspect of the three-row SUV, including the powertrain, the suspension, the brakes, and the steering. That's visible from this test car's lower stance and larger wheels compared to the stock X7.

Word on the street is Alpina will develop two different versions of the XB7, one for Europe and one for North America. On the Old Continent, customers should get a diesel-powered model, equipped with a 3.0-liter inline-six diesel with more than 394 horsepower (294 kilowatts) and 560 pound-feet (760 Newton-meters). This engine could make the model the most powerful production SUV in the world.

In the United States, however, BMW's 4.4-liter V8 should be under the hood in a slightly retuned version, delivering in excess of 600 hp (447 kW). A recalibrated eight-speed automatic will channel the power to all four wheels, through an xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
According to preliminary information, the Alpina XB7 will be launched first on the European market towards the first quarter of 2020. A few months later, the performance SUV will reach U.S. shores going on sale with a starting price of well above the X7's $73,900 MSRP.

Photos: Automedia
Source: motor1

 

[bavarianbob]

If anyone had doubts about the XB7 coming to America, that should be no more. Then again, if they always made the case for the Alpina B7 all these years, it doesn't take much to consider this new model. I mean, they are somewhat related.

Motor1 reports that a version of Alpina's special X7, dubbed the XB7, could be available on the American market shortly after the European-market version debuts next year.

While Europe's version (perhaps called the XD7) will likely have a diesel engine like Alpina's other modified BMW SUVs, the quad-turbo XD3 and XD4, that could make it the most powerful SUV on the market with torque figures possibly cresting 560 lb-ft, Americans will likely find a variant of the 4.4 liter V8 that currently powers the Alpina B7 under the hood, the firm's only car currently on offer on this side of the Atlantic.
Alpina has offered only a few of their models in the United States thus far. In addition to the 600 HP B7, a thoroughly breathed-on performance version of the 7 Series, Americans have only been able to buy Alpina's version of the Z8 and the B6, a modified 6 Series GranCoupe.

Abroad, things have been different. The company has a long tradition of creating fast versions of BMWs with both gas and diesel motors that are designed for driving quickly on the street, not the track. They'll even build you a quick 3 Series wagon as long as you're on the right continent.

 

[griff]

If anyone had doubts about the XB7 coming to America, that should be no more. Then again, if they always made the case for the Alpina B7 all these years, it doesn't take much to consider this new model. I mean, they are somewhat related.

If Mercedes can get away with selling top tier models near where this will be priced at, then Alpina/BMW has nothing to worry about. Plus, if it's built right, selling them won't be a concern. In fact they might beat initial targets.

 

[griff]

The Alpina X7 is coming next week and some more details have dropped ahead of that:

https://carbuzz.com/news/bmw-has-a-very-special-x7-coming-next-week

"Alpina will likely offer two versions of the X7. An Alpina XD7 will be powered by a 3.0-liter quad-turbocharged inline-six diesel engine and will therefore not be sold in the United States. In its place, the XB7 should be powered by the same 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged gasoline V8 found in the B7, where it produces 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.
With no X7 M on the horizon, the Alpina XB7 will be the most potent version of the flagship SUV, above even the 523-hp X7 M50i. Unlike the M50i, which offers a sporty flavoring for the X7, we expect the XB7 to present a more dignified and luxurious experience.
We expect the XB7 to cost significantly more than the X7 M50i, which is already priced at a hefty $99,600. For reference, the Alpina B7 is currently priced at $141,700. The live reveal of the XB7 will take place on Tuesday, May 19 starting at 12:00 pm EDT. The XB7 should be a direct rival for the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, which was revealed at the end of 2019. Both of these SUVs should offer around 600 hp, incredible luxury, and high six-figure price tags."

 

[E39Driver77]

The XB7 has been officially revealed by BMW & ALPINA!

• ALPINA's first Sports Activity Vehicle for the U.S. market.
• To be built at Plant Spartanburg, South Carolina.
• 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8 producing 612 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
• 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds with a top speed of 180 mph.
• MSRP starting at $141,300 plus $995 Destination
• Ordering to open in May 2020 with first deliveries scheduled for Sept. 2020.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/...pina-xb7-first-class-adventures-at-warp-speed

Buchloe, Germany - May 19, 2020… Today, ALPINA is proud to introduce its first Sports Activity Vehicle for the U.S. market, the new BMW ALPINA XB7. Based on BMW's X7 model line, the XB7 joins the B7 Sedan in ALPINA's U.S. lineup this fall. The power and torque produced by the performance ALPINA 4.4-liter V8 and the agility and handling capabilities of the ALPINA sport suspension place the XB7 firmly among the highest-performing Sports Activity Vehicles in the world.

Each detail of the new BMW ALPINA XB7 has been finely crafted to provide comfort and sensory delight. Three rows of seats generously accommodate six or seven occupants. Elegant ALPINA detail refinements, such as the iDrive Controller in crystal glass with laser-etched ALPINA logo, contribute to an exquisite interior ambiance. The exterior design emphasizes power and presence, while improving both appearance and aerodynamic properties such as reduced aerodynamic lift for maximum high-speed stability.

Warp-Speed Power: 4.4-Liter Bi-Turbocharged V8 Engine

A state of the art performance powertrain spawns the powerful and confident character of the new BMW ALPINA XB7, with linear and responsive power delivery across the entire engine speed range. The engine has been carefully calibrated to reflect the superior driving experience that has been signature to the most-powerful ALPINA models throughout the company's 55-year history. The engines character is best described as early, torque-filled urgency followed by a surge of mid-range power and a hard charge to redline.

The 4.4-liter V8 engine with bi-turbo charging, gasoline direct injection, and BMW's Valvetronic delivers an output of 612 hp @ 5,500 - 6,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 590 lb-ft which is available from an extraordinary 2000 rpm all the way to 5000 rpm. The BMW ALPINA XB7 needs just 4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, and completes the ¼ mile sprint in just 12.6 seconds when equipped with the standard 21 inch wheels and performance tires. Maximum speed is limited to 180 mph when equipped with the standard 21 inch wheel and performance tire setup.

The engine's power characteristics and superb throttle response are the result of detailed optimizations of the turbocharging and cooling systems. Two twin-scroll turbochargers with 2.1" turbines facilitate the near-instantaneous conversion of exhaust gas energy into boost pressure, even at low engine speeds for early maximum torque. The cooling system with two additional external water coolers, an enlarged transmission oil cooler and a low-temperature cooling system (air/water/air) with ALPINA's specific intercoolers, ensure thermodynamic stability even under highest loads.

The all-new, stainless-steel ALPINA sport exhaust system is responsible for the BMW ALPINA XB7's signature V8 sound. Designed to reduce back-pressure, the system is similar in construction and operation to that fitted to the 3rd-generation BMW ALPINA B7 Sedan also sold in North America. Active exhaust system flaps allow the driver to influence the sound: restrained in COMFORT mode for best possible travel comfort or clearly pronounced in SPORT mode.

Smooth and Fast: Eight-Speed Sport Automatic and Active LSD Differential

The new BMW ALPINA XB7 features the latest generation 8-Speed Sport Automatic Transmission with the industry-original ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC wheel-mounted shift buttons. In cooperation with the experts at ZF, the 8HP76 transmission has been specially designed to cope with the engine's high torque. Offering unparalleled shift comfort and the capability to execute shifts in tenths of a second means power is delivered effortlessly and instantaneously at all times.

The high-performance transmission unit features an aluminum transmission oil sump located in the underbody where it is cooled effectively.

The complete redesign of the electronics and mechatronics in this new-generation transmission ensures precise operation and responsiveness. In SPORT and SPORT+ modes, shift points are optimized for driving performance and gear shifts are considerably more dynamic. The COMFORT and COMFORT+ mode allow for relaxed, luxurious cruising at low engine rpms even when travelling at highway speeds, taking advantage of the signature ALPINA torque responsiveness.

The BMW ALPINA XB7 drivetrain features an electronically-variable active limited slip differential on the rear axle, with a locking torque of up to 1475 lb-ft. This improves traction when driving dynamically by ensuring that slip-induced losses are minimized, and torque is distributed effectively to the wheel with the most grip at any given time. The degree of lock is continuously and actively adjusted depending on wheel speed, friction coefficients and steering angle among other things. The behavior of the active limited slip differential unit is specifically calibrated to suit the dynamic character of the BMW ALPINA XB7 and it operates in conjunction with the other driving dynamic systems.

A New Dimension in Driving Dynamics: ALPINA Sport Suspension and Kinematics

The BMW ALPINA XB7 is fitted with cutting-edge suspension technology, opening a new dimension in driving dynamics for the performance-luxury Sport Activity Vehicle segment.

The standard two-axle air suspension with ALPINA-specific damper and kinematic set-up are primarily responsible for the balance of driving dynamics and ride comfort. It allows for a remarkable and noticeable 1.6 inch change in ride height, depending on driving situation and Mode selection. At speeds below 19 mph, the ride height can be raised by 1.6 inches for challenging ramp angles or other clearance requirements. More importantly, the BMW ALPINA XB7's ride height can be lowered by 1.6 inches, either dependent on speed or at the driver's request, resulting in a substantially lower center of gravity. When selecting SPORT mode or at speeds above 100 mph, the ride height is lowered by 0.8 inch. The ride height is lowered another 0.8 inches for a total of 1.6 inches beyond speeds of 155 mph or when selecting SPORT+ mode. The resulting lower center of gravity and changes in suspension geometry, with associated increases in negative camber, have a significant positive effect on dynamic handling and road holding.

An ALPINA specific dome-bulkhead strut and reinforced torsion struts increase body rigidity. In addition, the electromechanical anti-roll bars of the Active Roll Stabilization system and stiffer rear axle bushings reduce body roll substantially.

Agility: All-Wheel Drive and Integral Active Steering

The BMW ALPINA XB7 all-wheel drive is based on the BMW intelligent xDrive system, which fully and variably distributes torque as required between the front and rear axles. The ALPINA specific adaptation of the torque distribution maximizes traction and neutral driving dynamics in all conditions.

The Integral Active Steering, standard on the new BMW ALPINA XB7, offers direct steering response with exceptional feedback and improves overall agility. The Active Kinematics Control System from ZF enables the wheels of the rear axle to pivot a maximum of 2.3° left or right. At low speeds, the rear axle steers opposed to the front axle for increased agility and dynamic handling. Conversely, at higher speeds the rear axle steers "with" (congruent to) the front axle for maximum directional stability. The driver can choose from three steering modes: COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+. While in COMFORT mode the focus is on smooth directional stability and safety at higher speeds while the SPORT mode aims to maximize responsiveness.

Excellent Road Holding with Maximum Grip: Wheels, Tires and Brakes

Specially-developed wheel and tire combinations underscore the powerful, elegant appearance of the BMW ALPINA XB7 and are instrumental in offering impressive levels of grip and road holding, especially for a vehicle of this size category.

The new BMW ALPINA XB7 rides on 21" ALPINA DYNAMIC wheels as standard which can be specified with performance summer or all-season runflat tires, measuring 285/45R21 front and rear.

Optionally, all-new 23" forged-alloy wheels in the iconic ALPINA CLASSIC 20-spoke design and finished in Anthracite are available. Their high-strength, high-density construction as a result of forging allows a significant weight saving of 28 lbs. per vehicle. In collaboration with the experts at Pirelli, the performance summer tires for the 23" wheels have been explicitly developed and specified for the BMW ALPINA XB7. Measuring 285/35ZR23 at front and 325/3 ZR23 rear, they provide impressive grip and guaranteed visual presence around town.

Four-piston fixed brake calipers from Brembo with brake discs of 15.5 x 1.4" diameter on the front axle and floating brake calipers with brake discs of 15.7 x 1.1" diameter on the rear axle offer excellent and consistent deceleration. Brake calipers are finished in ALPINA Blue and feature a white ALPINA logo.