Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey - Scarcely has the all-new 7 Series hit the world markets than BMW North America announces the 2017 Alpina B7 xDrive - a sixth-generation Seven with enough extra attitude to justify an M badge.
It'll go on sale in the United States from September 2016 - pricing to be announced closer to the time - but is unlikely to be made available in South Africa.
Alpina B6 Gran Coupe kicks out 441kW
The twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 of the new 7 Series has been tweaked by Alpina with modifications to the air intake system, intercooler and cooling system, and it breathes out through a stainless-steel sports exhaust system that is both lighter and less restrictive than the standard auspuff.
It also has active exhaust valves, operated by the dynamic control switch, that allow it to speak - under appropriate circumstances, of course - with appreciably more authority.
The end result is a quoted 441kW from 5750-6250 revs and 800Nm, available from 3000rpm. Alpina claims the B7 will pull a 0-100km/h getaway in 3.6 seconds - almost a second quicker than its predecessor - and top out at an estimated 310km/h.
Air suspension all round combines with dynamic damper control, GPS road preview and active roll stabilisation to keep the B7 hugging the road, while integral active rear-wheel steering quickens the car's responses.
An additional Alpina Sport+ mode lowers the ride height by 20mm and adjusts all the car's engine, transmission, steering and suspension settings for maximum dynamic performance.
HAND-TRIMMED INTERIOR
The cabin is hand-trimmed by Alpina in fine, soft leather with blue and green contrast stitching, complemented by piano black lacquer or myrtle veneer insets, door-sills backlit in signature Alpina blue, special badging and a numbered plaque.
The full-colour digital LED instrument is exclusive to Alpina; in Comfort mode it displays classic round instruments with red needles on blue backgrounds, while Sport mode brings up a more dynamic look with blue and green drag indicators, emphasising primary information such as the permanent central speed read-out.