Alpina's BMW X7 M Alternative Will Look Like This

Aug. 12, 2019 4:20 PM ET by Martin Bigg / 2 Comments

The modified BMW X7 is expected to deliver 600 horsepower.

The standard BMW X7 is one of the best full-size SUVs in its class, but don't get your hopes up for a high-performance M version. BMW is stubbornly refusing to build an X7 M, although a recent report claims it will launch an ultra-luxury X8 instead offered exclusively in M Performance and full-fat M guises. Chances are it will be the most expensive model BMW has ever produced. But if you're still clamoring for a BMW X7 M, there will soon be an alternative option.

Nikita Chuicko via Kolesa

German automaker Alpina is cooking up a powerful flagship SUV called the XB7 based on the X7 - and it might as well be an X7 M in all but name. Recent spy shots gave us a clear look at the Alpina XB7 in prototype form racing around the Nurburgring, which has enabled Russian website Kolesa to produce an accurate render to show us what the production version will look like.

As with Alpina's other creations, the styling changes will be somewhat subtle. The rendered SUV is shown riding on Alpina's signature multi-spoke wheels and features four round tailpipes integrated into a restyled rear bumper, along with a massive diffuser. A new front bumper with a deeper spoiler lip has also been added, which was also seen on the prototype. To complete the look, Kolesa has added some Alpina badging and copious amounts of chrome trim to further distinguish it from the standard X7.

CarBuzz

Alpina's X7 M alternative will be sold in two flavors, including an inline-six diesel-powered variant for the European market with around 450 horsepower. In America, the Alpina XB7 will utilize the standard X7's 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 tuned to deliver around 600 horsepower – that's a substantial improvement over the standard model, which produces 456 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

Alpina hasn't confirmed when the XB7 will debut, but we could see it break cover at the 2019 Frankfurt Auto Show in September next month.