BMW Alpina XB7 makes Australian debut
First of three exclusive BMW X7-based super-SUVs arrives Down UnderThe BMW Alpina XB7 made its Australian debut at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show yesterday.
The first of just three local-spec examples of the BMW X7-based flagship SUV due to arrive here this year was presented at Queensland’s largest boat show by Gold Coast BMW.
A second Alpina XB7 has just arrived Down Under and is already earmarked for a local customer, with a third due to land here in the fourth quarter of this year.
“It’s an honour to unveil the BMW Alpina XB7 in the metal at the incomparable Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show,” said Alpina Automobiles – Queensland manager, Ashil Solanki.
“The first-ever BMW Alpina XB7 takes the renowned BMW X7 platform to create something truly bespoke.
“With its incredible 457kW biturbo V8 engine, 3.5-tonne towing capacity, seven-seat versatility, high-end safety technology and cutting-edge connectivity, the BMW Alpina XB7 suits the boating lifestyle perfectly.”
Priced at a cool $264,900 plus on-road costs, the Alpina XB7 goes a few significant steps further than the BMW X7 M50i ($181,900 plus ORCs) on which it’s based to become a quasi BMW X7 M.
For starters, its twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8 dishes out a huge 457kW of power and 800Nm of torque – up 67kW/50Nm on the BMW X7 M50i – making it the most powerful Alpina ever and propelling it to 100km/h in a claimed 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h.
Fitted with a host of other bespoke chassis, design and equipment upgrades, the XB7 tops the strongest-ever product line-up offered by Alpina in Australia.
Unlike the BMW 3 Series-based B3 Sedan and Touring and the BMW 8 Series-based B8 Gran Coupe, which are built in Germany, the XB7 is around 75 per cent completed at Spartanburg in the USA, before being sent to Buchloe for final hand finishing and then shipped to Australia.
The same process applies to Alpina’s most popular model, the XD3, which is the only BMW X3-based vehicle in Australia equipped with a 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain – in this case a 261kW/730Nm twin-turbo diesel six – and comes with a price tag and specifications similar to the X3 M40i.
The Alpina Automobiles Australia dealer network comprises six outlets: BMW Australia-owned BMW Sydney, plus Melbourne BMW, Doncaster BMW, Gold Coast BMW, Adelaide BMW and Auto Classic BMW in Perth.
The BMW Alpina XB7 will be on display on Quay Street as part of the Gold Coast BMW street exhibition at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, which is expected to attract 50,000 boating lifestyle enthusiasts over May 20-24.
Images: Scott Paddy
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