MUNICH: German tuner, Alpina has finally unveiled its uber-fast XB7 that’s the company’s rendition of the BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).
Due for a proper unveiling in September, the XB7 will proudly usurp the Bavarian carmaker’s X7 M50i’s top spot and will effectively become the alternative to the Alpina B7 sedan should you wish.
For pricing, the XB7 starts from USD$142,295 (RM620,000) while the XB7 throws away all notion of refinement and elegance associated with the BMW for a more rugged look with its gaping intakes on the bumper and a lip spoiler bearing the tuning house’s name.
At the back, it sports a diffuser to help keep those go-fast days a little more stable while its side profile eagerly bears a set of 21-inch wheels.
An optional and larger 23-inch set fitted with Italian tyres from Pirelli is also available.
Regardless of the choice of wheels, peaking from behind them will be the Brembo four-piston callipers performance brake system dressed in the tuner’s colours that will clamp securely down upon the over-sized 15.5-inch front rotors.
Suspending the XB7 is the standard air suspension that can raise the body and give it an added 1.6 inches of ride-height at speeds less than 30kph.
Breaching 160kph, the body then hunkers down lower by 0.8-inches and the needle passes the 250kph mark, it’ll lower itself again by another 0.8-inches.
Powering the wheels is BWM’s twin-turbo 4.4-litre N63 V8 engine producing 612hp from 5,500 to 6,600rpm and an immense 800Nm of torque from 2,000 to 5,000rpm.
Drumming out the engine’s performance is the stainless-steel active exhaust system that can be restrained for greater comfort or unrestrained when in Sport mode. Other modes include Comfort Plus and Sport Plus.
Managing the “death-roll” coming out of the engine is an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission for the all-wheel-drive system.
Translated to real-world application, the XB7 gets from 0 to 100kph in 4.1 seconds before topping out at 290kph.
Inside, the cabin features as standard plush leather seats, soft-closure doors, leather-wrapped instrument panel, a faux-suede headliner and a massive panoramic sunroof.
In the options list, an LED “skylit” roof can be had as well as Lavalina leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, a crystal glass iDrive controller with a laser-etched Alpina logo, illuminated Alpina door sills and a bevvy of Alpina badges.
The German tuning house allows budding owners the choice of having either a rear bench or a pair of bucket seats for the second row.
Keyword: Alpina reveals Bavaria's new king of SUVs — the XB7