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The BMW Alpina XB7 stands at the summit of Munich’s full-size SUV range, wearing Alpina’s signature green paint and multi-spoke wheels while hiding a potent secret beneath its sculpted bonnet. Alpina’s engineers have taken BMW’s latest 4.4-litre twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 and breathed on it to deliver 631 bhp and 800 Nm, channelling power through an eight-speed automatic and a rear-biased xDrive system. Engage launch control, and this elegant seven-seater surges to 62 mph in just four seconds, accompanied by a rich V8 soundtrack that never strays into brashness.
Straight-line pace is only half the story. Adaptive air springs, active roll stabilisation and rear-wheel steering combine to make the near-three-tonne SUV feel remarkably light on its feet, with precise turn-in and confident mid-corner balance. Wide Pirelli P Zero tyres deliver strong grip, while the Alpina-specific brake set-up hauls the XB7 down from motorway speed in sports-car distances, pedal feel remaining reassuringly firm even after repeated heavy stops.
Climb aboard, and the cabin immediately confirms its flagship status. Ivory White Merino leather, quilted across all three rows, contrasts with an anthracite Alcantara head-lining and walnut trim, while a crystal gear selector and jewelled Bowers & Wilkins speaker grilles add discreet sparkle. Every seat benefits from electric adjustment, the front pair offering heating, ventilation and massage, and second-row captain’s chairs can be specified for lounge-like comfort. USB-C ports abound, and the curved dual display running BMW Operating System 8 keeps navigation, infotainment and vehicle settings a fingertip away.
Practicality has not been forgotten: powered third-row backrests fold at the touch of a button, creating a flat load floor, and integral rear-wheel steering trims the turning circle to make urban manoeuvres surprisingly straightforward. The only reminder of the XB7’s size comes when a tight bend induces a hint of body lean, but the chassis settles quickly and maintains composure even on challenging B-roads.
For drivers who crave authoritative performance without sacrificing passenger cosseting or everyday usability, the BMW Alpina XB7 delivers an engaging blend of pace, poise and opulence. It proves that a large family SUV can still offer genuine driving pleasure, yet glide through city streets and long motorway hauls with the grace expected of a grand tourer bearing the Alpina badge.
