Alpina’s new 7 Series is a “distance-shrinking” machine that cruises at over 300km/h

BMW’s luxury sub-brand Alpina has begun testing its new 7 Series, and has given the public a peek behind the curtain. 

After recently being spotted on the Nürburgring, the Alpina has moved to Italy’s high-speed Nardo circuit for testing. 

The 7 Series has always been a high-speed luxury cruiser, but with Alpina’s touch, both characteristics are expected to be heightened. 

BMW describes this new Alpina 7 Series as a “distance-shrinking machine”, hinting at how 300km/h isn’t a top speed target, but instead, a cruising benchmark. 

The modern ethos of Alpina is “speed, not sport”, and that speaks to how this 7 Series should be a comfortable cruiser at supercar speeds. 

It also hints at how it won’t follow the lead of BMW M’s sport-tuned suspension, which doesn’t provide the most comfortable ride. 

BMW has already confirmed this new Alpina 7 Series will utilise a V8 engine, and it’s likely going to be a 4.4-litre twin turbo unit. 

Just last month, BMW unveiled the M760 xDrive with this engine, which marked the V8’s return to the 7 Series. 

In the case of the M760 xDrive, the V8 produced 425kW, but we estimate that this Alpina version will have a bit more grunt. 

While the camouflaged prototype doesn’t give too many secrets away, we can spot Alpina’s signature oval exhaust tips at the rear. 

It’s also sitting on a set of 20-spoke wheels, which have become synonymous with the brand over the years.

“Speed has always been baked into the ALPINA brand’s DNA. However, we are not just interested in top speed alone. What matters is how natural, stable, and confident it feels to drive at that speed,” said BMW Alpina vice president Oliver Viellechner.