The Ultimate Guide to the 2024 BMW ALPINA XB7.

The heritage of BMW Alpina stretches back over 50 years, blending BMW’s acclaimed engineering with Alpina’s passion for performance. This collaboration has produced some of the most iconic high-performance luxury vehicles on the road. 

The pinnacle of this partnership is undoubtedly the 2024 BMW ALPINA XB7, setting a new benchmark for luxury SUVs. With a hand-finished interior, bespoke driving dynamics, and a high-output V8 engine, the ALPINA XB7 promises unmatched levels of luxury, performance, and exclusivity.

The Legacy of BMW Alpina

The roots of Alpina trace back to 1962 in the small Bavarian town of Buchloe. Founded by Burkard Bovensiepen, the Alpina moniker was created as a portmanteau of the founder’s name and the town’s location in the foothills of the Alps. What began as a manufacturer of typewriters soon pivoted into the automotive realm, initially focusing on the sale of BMW tuning components. By the late 1960s, Alpina was producing full factory-backed performance BMW models done in close collaboration with BMW.

This symbiotic BMW Alpina relationship endures to this day. Alpina retains its status as an independent manufacturer while having full access to BMW engineering, manufacturing facilities, and dealer networks. However, Alpina models differ from their BMW counterparts in significant ways.

Alpina vehicles feature extensive performance tuning, bespoke interiors awash in supple Lavalina leather and piano black lacquer, trademark 20-spoke wheels, and subtle exterior badging to maintain an air of exclusivity. Across generations of vehicles in categories ranging from sports sedans to grand tourers, the emphasis remains on marrying luxury with high performance.

Unveiling the 2024 ALPINA XB7

The third generation BMW X7 provides the base for Alpina’s first luxury SUV offering. But while the standard X7 features a stout 523 horsepower, the engineers from Buchloe extract over 150 additional horsepower for the 2024 ALPINA XB7. The hand-built 4.4-liter BMW TwinPower turbocharged V8 receives a slew of upgrades to achieve a staggering 621 peak horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. This emphatic power increase comes courtesy of larger twin-scroll turbos, increased boost pressure, and optimization of the air intake and cooling systems.

Complementing the power plant is a recalibrated ZF 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission. The ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC allows drivers to change gears manually via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Shift times drop to just 100 milliseconds in the most aggressive Sport Plus mode. The transmission works seamlessly with xDrive intelligent AWD and an electronically-controlled limited-slip rear differential to optimally distribute power based on driving conditions.

Performance Engineering

The increased horsepower enables thunderous performance, with the ALPINA XB7 rocketing from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. But managing all that power requires cutting-edge engineering that instills confidence and control from behind the wheel. At the heart of this is Alpina’s kinetics buffeted by four key components:

1. Integral Active Steering – The rear wheels steer along with the front axle at speeds over 37 mph for heightened maneuverability and stability.
2. Electronic Limited Slip Differential – Distributes torque dynamically between the rear wheels, resulting in improved traction and surefootedness when powering out of corners.
3. Active Roll Stabilization – Employs a 48V electric system and two high-voltage rotary compressors to instantly counteract body roll forces, keeping the XB7 exceptionally flat through curves.
4. Alpina Sport Suspension – Featuring firmer springs and electronically adjustable dampers calibrated specifically for the XB7. Lowers ride height by 0.8 inches over stock X7 for a more planted stance.

The harmony of these technologies allows the ALPINA XB7 to handle corners remarkably well, defying physics for an SUV tipping the scales at over 5,600 lbs. An optional high-performance ceramic braking systems provides tremendous stopping power to balance out the prodigious speed.

Luxury and Design

Nestled within the cutting-edge engineering lies an oasis of Alpina luxury and comfort. The trademark Lavalina leather adorns nearly every surface, available in a range of exclusive Alpina colors and color combinations. Decorative diamond-stitched piping adds visual depth, including a unique Alpina pinstripe pattern incorporated into the seatbacks and door panels. The dark wood trim and crystal glass iDrive controller provide an elegant contrast to the rich upholstery. Subtle Alpina badging sets the interior ambiance apart from a typical BMW.

But the custom Alpina elements extend beyond the cabin furnishings. A new ALPINA Sport leather steering wheel houses the shift paddles and multifunction controls. Illuminated ALPINA door sills greet passengers on entry while the unique ALPINA instrument panel includes blue and green embellished gauges. Owners can choose between standard comfort seats, multi-contour seats with active ventilation and massage functions, or the range-topping rear Executive Lounge Seating which reclines up to 42 degrees. With countless personalization options, no two ALPINA XB7 interiors will be exactly alike.

Exclusive Features and Design Elements

While the power and poise of the new ALPINA XB7 clearly place it in a more performance-oriented realm than the standard X7, a host of exclusive driving technologies separate it even further from its BMW donor platform.

ALPINA Sport Suspension – Developed specifically for the ALPINA XB7, the adaptive dampers offer a broader spread between comfort and sport settings compared to typical BMW adaptive systems. This allows the XB7 to glide over bumps in Comfort mode or tackle corners with aggression in Sport Plus.

Exclusive ALPINA Sport Mode – Activates an additional calibration delivering the most direct throttle response, tightest steering feel, and firmest roadholding for when backroad blasts or track days beckon.

Signature 23” Aluminum Wheels – Iconic 20-spoke rims mounted with high-performance tires offer an ideal balance of cushion, grip, and lateral stiffness. Optional 24” forged wheels by BBS save 24 lbs of unsprung weight for crisper turn-in.

ALPINA Aerodynamics Package – Aggressive front and rear fasciae with prominent spoilers and diffusers optimise airflow while amplifying road presence. Other highlights include blue-accented Crystal Headlights and a unique diamond-pattern grille.

These exclusive elements leave the ALPINA XB7’s sporting intentions unambiguous, allowing drivers to fully experience the vast performance envelope with style and confidence.

Customization and Personalization

Far from an off-the-rack performance machine, the new ALPINA XB7 offers owners an extensive array of personalization options. As a fundamental part of the Alpina philosophy, no two vehicles receive the same specifications. Every XB7 can be personalized with a choice of 132 exterior colors and a vast range of interior leather, trims, and accents. Further exclusivity stems from the Alpina Atelier offering splashy two-tone paints, custom wheel designs, and bespoke interior treatments.

The meticulous attention to detail in crafting an ALPINA vehicle takes shape at the company’s workshop in Buchloe, Germany. Highly skilled technicians and master upholsterers lavish over 450 hours of manual work into each XB7. On customer request, special editions receive unique details and markings, forging an emotional bond between the client and their automobile. This intimate and intricate construction process imbues ALPINA cars with a unique character and soul.

Comparing the ALPINA XB7 with Competitors

The high-powered luxury SUV segment continues to expand with new entries by fellow German marques. So how does the new 2024 ALPINA XB7 distinguish itself from chief rivals?

Model	Horsepower	0-60 mph	Base Price	Key Features
ALPINA XB7	621 hp	3.6 secs	$145,000	Bespoke Alpina appearance/interior, forged wheels
Mercedes-AMG GLS63	603 hp	3.7 secs	$132,100	Race Start launch control, active engine mounts
BMW X7 M60i	530 hp	4.1 secs	$105,100	Unique M styling accents, remote parking
Range Rover SVAutobiography	557 hp	4.5 secs	$210,795	V8 diesel powertrain, 4-zone climate control
Audi SQ8	500 hp	4.3 secs	$92,000	Adaptive air suspension, OLED lighting technology

With over 600 horsepower hitting the pavement via all four wheels, the Alpina XB7 posts acceleration times battling top-tier supercars. The Alpina upgrades take the XB7’s performance beyond its platform siblings while exclusive styling and sumptuous hand-crafted detailing justify the higher price point. While the Mercedes GLS63 and BMW X7 M60i come close in terms of sheer output, neither can match the Alpina magic blending luxury, exclusivity, and blistering speed into a singular SUV. Compared to the other competitors, the XB7 simply operates in a class of its own.

Ownership Experience

Sliding behind the wheel of the 2024 Alpina XB7 instantly impresses with the cockpit feel of a true driver’s machine. The engine burbles to life with a deep snarl hinting at the power lurking beneath the long hood. Depress the throttle to unleash locomotive-like thrust pinning occupants into supremely bolstered sport seats. Yet quickly lift off the gas, and the cabin returns to whisper quiet serenity.

The Adaptive Drive suspension soaks up imperfections when cruising but instantly firms up to carve corners with poise belying the nearly 3-ton curb weight. Switch into the bespoke Alpina Sport Plus mode and the quick-witted 8-speed snaps off rapid gear changes while the rear-wheel steering expertly rotates the large SUV through the twisties. The confidence offered by xDrive, sticky Pirelli tires, and prodigious brakes provide a safety net to explore the performance limits.

Enthusiast forums and owner reviews gush over the Alpina XB7, hailing its Jekyll & Hyde personality switching instantly from a comfortable luxury hauler to a backroad barnstormer. Owners particularly praise Alpina’s trademark long-legged throttle response, creamy yet precise steering, and the interior’s blend of comfort, quality materials, and customization. As one proud owner sums up, “this is the ultimate all-weather family supercar.”

Conclusion

The 2024 BMW ALPINA XB7 represents a rare intersection where extreme performance aligns with uncompromising luxury. Alpina imbues the already capable BMW X7 with bespoke engineering and hand-finished design details to birth an SUV exceeding all metrics. With a finely tuned chassis assuring agility to match the fire-breathing 4.4-liter V8 engine, the newest Alpina iteration sets a benchmark for real-world speed and exclusivity.

No other luxury SUV can make a legitimate claim in matching the total package of the segment-busting new ALPINA XB7. Much more than a tuned-up BMW, the newest Alpina model carries on the company’s philosophy of delivering the pinnacle in high-performance luxury. Alpina continues its over 50-year collaboration with BMW that shows no signs of losing passion or ingenuity when it comes to injecting thrill into the modern automobile.

We encourage you to delve deeper into the 2024 BMW ALPINA XB7 by exploring BMW and Alpina’s official websites showcasing exclusive visuals, customization details, owner reviews and press impressions. Locate an Alpina dealer to schedule an obligatory test drive behind the wheel of this automotive masterpiece. Whether a loyal BMW owner looking to ascend into rare air or a performance aficionado seeking vehicular nirvana, the ALPINA XB7 stands ready to conquer every challenge in legendary style.