2007 BMW Alpina B7

2007 BMW Alpina B7 2007 BMW Alpina B7
Road Test

In the company's words, Alpina "builds fine automobiles for the connoisseur." These are big-torque BMWs with automatic transmissions, more of a luxury bent than BMW's own high-performance M cars.

The first thing one of these connoisseurs might notice on the Alpina B7-it amounts to a hot-rodded 7-series-are the mammoth, concept-car-worthy 21-inch, 20-spoke BBS wheels. That's because they are simply spectacular to behold. And that's before they start moving; then the spokes blend together in an envy-inducing blur. Splendid.

However, within an hour of the B7's arrival, one of our connoisseurs punctured one of the ultra-low-profile Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. It cost us $500. Phew, good thing he didn't damage one of the zoomy wheels-they're $4200 each! A telltale ring of grime in the trunk was a sign that we weren't the first to use the beautiful 18-inch matching spare in our B7's brief, 1700-mile life.

Why the B7? BMW acknowledges there's room for a super 7-series but not a high-revving, hard-core M version. And the company concedes that the short-wheelbase, V-12-powered 760i that was the sporty choice from 2004 to 2006 wasn't enough in light of the torque-crazy supercharged V-8 or twin-turbo V-12 available at the time in Mercedes' S-class.