Alpina lobs pricing for XB7 seven-seat SUV

ALPINA Automobiles Australia has announced the pricing and specification of its all-new XB7 seven-seat large SUV, with the luxury family hauler touching down locally in the first quarter of 2021 priced from $264,900 plus on-roads.

The XB7 commands a sizeable $85,000 premium over the BMW X7 M50i on which it is based, and will wade into battle against the likes of the Bentley Bentayga V8 ($334,700), Range Rover V8 Autobiography LWB ($284,410) and the upcoming Mercedes-Maybach GLS600, which arrives in Australia later this year.

When it touches down locally, the XB7 will be the most powerful X7 derivative available, while also featuring more torque than any of BMW’s SUV offerings, in line with Alpina’s emphasis on low-down grunt.

The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 has been tuned to produce 457kW from 5500-6500rpm (only 3kW shy of the X5 M Competition), while peak torque is rated at a healthy 800Nm, from 2000-5000rpm.

Its outputs are enabled by the use twin-scroll turbos with 54mm turbines, with the sprint from standstill to 100km/h dispatched in a brisk 4.2 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 290km/h.

To help deal with the larger engine outputs, the transmission cooler is 120 per cent larger than on the X7 M50i, while two large external coolers offer 45 per cent greater cooling.

Official combined fuel consumption for the V8 bruiser is pegged at 12.0 litres per 100km, while combined emissions stand at 275 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

The V8 is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, reinforced to handle the extra torque, with drive sent to all four wheels via a tweaked version of BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-paw system.

Torque distribution is fully variable from front to rear, while handling is aided by the fitment of a limited-slip differential on the rear axle and four-wheel steering. 

Two-axle air suspension with active roll stabilisation comes as standard, with Alpina’s engineers adding extra front-axle coil springs to aid chassis control.

Braking comes courtesy of 395mm front and 398mm rear discs with signature blue callipers, while compound brake discs can be optioned.

21-inch Alpina Dynamic alloy wheels come as standard with Pirelli P Zero run-flat tyres, while 23-inch hoops in classic Apina 20-spoke design can be had optionally.

From the outside, the XB7 is further distinguished by its front spoiler with ‘Alpina’ lettering, quad-exit exhaust and side skirts.

Inside, local examples will feature seating for seven, with all three rows upholstered in Merino leather, with the front two rows scoring heated pews and Comfort seats for front passengers.

Myrtle wood is used for trim elements, while the steering wheel is upholstered in high-grade Lavalina leather with contrast green and blue stitching.

Twin 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment displays are standard and controlled with BMW’s iDrive controller and Operating System 7.0, with a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, BMW Connected Package Professional, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and DAB+ digital radio.

Standard safety kit extends to adaptive cruise control with stop and go, autonomous emergency braking, front and rear cross-traffic assist, lane keep assist, lane change assist and speed limit assist.

Like the rest of the Alpina range, a raft of options will also be available on the XB7, including a range of wood trims, leather options, exterior paint colours, massage seats and the Sky Lounge panoramic roof.

The XB7 will be the second SUV to join the local Alpina range, alongside the diesel-powered, X3-derived XD3.

2021 Alpina XB7 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs