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Alpina: X7-based mule spied, Australian arm interested

More spy pictures have surfaced the Alpina XB7/XD7, the company's take on the seven-seat BMW X7.


Darcy Foster • Alpina has its eye on an upcoming BMW X7-based model for Australia, based on the success of its smaller XD3.

The mid-sized XD3 SUV, which launched locally earlier this year as a rival to the Audi SQ5, has seen “good initial interest” locally, according to an Alpina Australia spokesperson.

“It’s natural that we will seriously consider any further SUV options that are made available in [right-hand drive],” the spokesperson told CarAdvice.

“We are watching development of the X7-based Alpina model with great interest.”

Alpina is currently working on a tuned version of BMW’s largest, latest three-row SUV, with our most recent images depicting a prototype testing at the Nurburgring.

Wearing dark blue metallic paint and light camouflage, the Alpina trimmings can be seen much more clearly.

The redesigned front bumper sports larger air intakes, while a pair of quad-pipes protrude proudly from the rear, accentuating its menacing design cues.

It can also been seen wearing Alpina’s signature multi-spoke wheels.

The Alpina X7 will reportedly be offered in two flavours.

The Europe-destined XD7 is expected to sport a six-cylinder diesel with around 355kW while the American market should receive the full-fat XB7, featuring a 4.4-litre V8 under the bonnet making over 447kW.

The XD7’s straight-six engine is to be based on that of the X7 M50d xDrive, which produces 294kW and 760Nm of torque.

Although it was once the range-topping model in Australia, a global production shortage has rendered it temporarily unavailable.

Though a V8-powered X7 already exists in the guise of the M50i, the power plant in the Alpina XB7 will allegedly be based on the 7 Series based, B7 xDrive.

The current X7 M50i produces 390kW and 750Nm of torque, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds.

We were initially led to believe the XB7/XD7 would make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, but an early 2020 reveal appears more likely now.

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