Drive the Alpina XB7 - the V8 is not an option here

Drive the Alpina XB7 - the V8 is not an option here

Do SUVs suit Alpina? SUVs seem to suit every brand, even Ferrari now offers one with the Purosangue. The last high all-purpose vehicle introduced from Buchloe is the recently facelifted XB7, and that's a real statement.

Which brands do you think of when it comes to expensive SUVs? Porsche? Of course. Mercedes? Sure, too. And probably other German premium brands as well as one or two Italians. But wait, there's another label, one from the Allgäu. That's right, Alpina. The fine manufacturer from Buchloe has been refining not only the exciting (more powerful) saloons and estates from the BMW range for years, but also the useful SUVs. However, the Alpina X repertoire is select. The Allgäu-based company skips the upper mid-size class (X5) without further ado - you can either choose the X3 or X4 or treat yourself to the really big XB7.

The 5.18-meter-long giant ship fits the luxurious Alpina brand quite well. And the engine selection fits even better. So, to avoid any misunderstandings: Alpina makes the choice here - there is only the 621 hp eight-cylinder twin-turbo. No diesel, no weaker petrol engine with fewer cylinders - just this pleasure engine. And all this for the crisp basic price of 180,500 euros. But don't think now that the slightly electrified (starter generator) 4.4-liter engine would rumble or something. The Alpina team could have mixed a little more V8 character into the acoustics. But no.

A little more V8 sound would suit the Alpina well

The only thing the engine does is mumble quietly. And sometimes a little bit of a yaw in the upper rev range. But why upper revs? You only use them for demonstration purposes. The fine all-wheel drive certainly doesn't need them in everyday driving. The eight-wheeler surfs on the 800 Newton meter torque wave from as low as 1800 rpm. And this only flattens out from 5400 revs. That's a lot of power that the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission (Alpina has its own marketing name for it, "Switch-Tronic") has to transmit. The 2.7-tonner pushes off with corresponding force.

If the driver does get the itch and wants to accelerate at full speed ahead, he should be careful. Firstly, unprepared passengers could get a slight shock and secondly, you could approach a speed camera faster than you would like: It takes just 4.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h. Propulsion only stops at 290 km/h. Typical Alpina.

The ride comfort of the large XB7 is just as typical Alpina. Apart from the fact that not a single Alpina model is brutally hard, but always claims to be particularly balanced. And a large SUV doesn't have to be sporty at all. If you still think you have to chase the XXL SUV over narrow, winding roads, at least you get support from a controlled rear axle differential.

However, the Bavarian's main task is to get its cargo over rough asphalt as gently as possible. The best way to do this is to instruct the suspension to make the dampers and (air) springs respond as comfortably as possible at the touch of a button. In the "Comfort+" setting (it also works without the plus), this character can be taken to the extreme. But it also goes well with the comfortable armchairs, on which you can not only air-condition your backside, but also have your back massaged.

Incredibly spacious

The whole thing takes place in a particularly spacious environment, which is no great surprise given the dimensions. In the 3.11-meter wheelbase, even the third row is reasonably comfortable (there's no need to discuss the second row). The little electric motors distributed throughout the expansive car also perform various tasks. For example, for folding down the seats.

The clever thing is that you can fold down all the seats except for the front seats with a single button (the one with the suitcase symbol) to create a flat loading area. In this case, the XB7 trunk can hold the equivalent of up to 2120 liters of luggage. This means that the classy Allgäuer can also pass for practical. And also as a workhorse that can tackle when necessary. It goes without saying that the 4x4 can tow up to 3.5 tons.

Those who don't care about practicality and instead demand the best infotainment will also get their money's worth. Ever heard of the BMW Operating System 8? Although this is not the latest version (there is already 9) of the operating system running on the "Curved Display", there is plenty of scope for menu and button junkies. When you take the opportunity to browse through the settings, it makes sense to switch off the unwanted assistants - unfortunately, there is no longer a shortcut (as there used to be), but the EU and organizations such as Euro NCAP (which awards stars for crash safety) contribute to this. Features that are difficult to tolerate, such as the lane vibration or acoustic speed warning, switch back on every time the engine is started.

This is not intended to demonize driver assistance; after all, there are also useful little helpers that not only increase safety but also driving comfort. Last but not least, this includes autonomous braking, which triggers autonomous braking in many traffic scenarios if the driver is inattentive. Hardly anyone who drives long distances would want to do without active cruise control. It regulates the longitudinal control, i.e. accelerates and brakes with assistance - particularly relaxed and relaxing in tough rush-hour traffic.

Incidentally, the XB7 not only brakes down to a standstill in accordance with vehicles in front, but also keeps an eye on traffic lights (shown on the display). A short acoustic signal when the light turns green is intended to let the dreamy driver know that he can now set off again.

Incidentally, Alpina attaches great importance to tradition. So the XB7 test car naturally rolls onto the starting line with the typical decorative set. The decorative stripes are just as much a part of the Alpina heritage as the classic green for the brand - here to be found as Alpina Green II in the configurator. There is also the traditional Classic wheel. In contrast, the BMW kidney grille "Iconic Glow" is a modern tribute to Asian markets. But we serious Europeans should perhaps also become a little more playful, and somehow the illuminated kidney grille also looks quite cool.

Data sheet BMW Alpina XB7 all-wheel drive

Conclusion: The Alpina XB7 is probably one of the finest utility vehicles on the market. And one of the most exclusive, because Alpina is still a special brand today. The fact that the large all-wheel drive vehicle is a car for enthusiasts can be seen not least from the only engine option - of course, it has to be eight pots. Unfortunately, the high base price prevents too many XB7s from hitting the road. But honestly, that's exactly what Alpina customers want. After all, the brand thrives on exclusivity.

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The Alpina XB7's long body perfectly suits the luxurious Alpina brand. (from the given text)

Taking the Alpina XB7 for a car practical test would be an exciting experience with its powerful V8 engine. (Additional sentence)

Source: www.ntv.de