On the track, the state-of-the-art performance power train gave us all kinds of confidence in rain driving. This BMW Alpina XB7, with linear and responsive power delivery across the entire engine speed range, was up to the challenge. The engine has been carefully calibrated to reflect the superior driving experience that has been the signature of the most-powerful Alpina models throughout the company’s 55-year history.

We felt the engine’s early, torque-filled urgency followed by a surge of mid-range power and a hard charge to redline.

The 4.4-liter V8 engine is everything and needs just 4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, and completes the ¼ mile sprint in just 12.6 seconds when equipped with the standard 21-inch wheels and performance tires the top speed is limited to 180 mph.

The front bumper with large air intakes and free-floating Alpina lettering is aerodynamically optimized to reduce uplift for maximum high-speed stability. Large air intakes facilitate the effective flow of air to the performance Alpina cooling system. At the rear, the Alpina sport exhaust system, with two twin tailpipes, is beautifully integrated into the design of the Alpina rear bumper. The middle of the rear bumper is accentuated by small diffusor fins. Inside XB7 features three rows of seats as standard. The second row either features a rear bench with three seats or optionally, two individual captain’s chairs with integrated armrests. Depending on the seat configuration, the luggage compartment provides capacity ranging from 48.6 to 90.4 cubic feet. For comfortable loading, the BMW Alpina XB7 can be lowered by up to 2 inches at the push of a button that is located in the luggage compartment.