The Bavarians commemorate a long-running presence in the US with a six-figure super SUV
BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, facilities have been operating since the early 1990s, but they didn’t always focus on SUVs. Originally, the brand assembled everything from the bread-and-butter 3 Series to the funky Z3 and Z4 Coupes. Even M variants of the latter were US-produced, which at the time was an extremely rare case of BMW’s performance-centric M division relying on assembly outside of Germany. Perhaps as a simultaneous nod to the future and the past, BMW is setting aside the seven millionth BMW to leave the Spartanburg facility: an ultra-exclusive, high-horsepower Alpina XB7, finished in an iconic shade of paint.
BMW
BMW’s seven millionth US-produced vehicle is an enthusiast’s dream come true
The Bavarians marked history right with this one. The Alpina XB7 wears Alpina Green paint, a trademark color of the niche carmaker that is inexplicably unavailable in BMW’s online configurator. Inside, BMW opted for Tartufo Full Merino leather upholstery, a darker cognac hue that is the perfect complement to the dark green metallic exterior. Completing the look is another Alpina staple — 23-inch, 20-spoke alloy wheels. Under the hood, you’ll still find a familiar Alpina-tuned twin-turbo V8 displacing 4.4 liters and developing 631 horsepower. Funny enough, this power plant has also been breathed upon by those other BMW Motorsport guys — BMW M. The engine, dubbed the S68, is the same unit found under the hood of full-blown M cars like the X5 M.
BMW didn’t go light on the options, either. This Alpina XB7 comes equipped with optional features like captain’s chairs, real walnut wood trim, and a fancy panoramic roof with LED accents (or, in BMW speak, a Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof). As with all Alpina XB7 models, the SUV was separated from regular X7 production early on, while a specialized team installed Alpina-specific components like the front bumper, floormats, and rear diffuser.
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BMW regularly celebrates production milestones, and this Alpina model is special for a few reasons
This isn’t the first time BMW has pulled a special, commemorative car off the production line and added it to its little collection. Notable milestones include a Z4 M Roadster, the millionth vehicle produced by the automaker, which came off the line in February of 2006. Nine years later, an X5 M became the first M SUV to be set aside, as the three millionth vehicle produced in the US. Just three years ago, in 2022, BMW chose an X6 M as the six millionth vehicle produced. The Alpina XB7 is notable in a few ways: first off, it’s the easiest and most expensive example yet. Building this car yourself would run over $160,000, and that’s assuming you could get the Alpina Green paint in the first place. It’s also, of course, the first Alpina to be celebrated by BMW in such a way — especially important since for most of the brand’s history, Alpina assembly was limited to the brand’s plant in Bavaria.
Final thoughts
Remember, BMW formally acquired the Buchloe-based Alpina back in 2022. Until then, the two were technically separate entities, with Alpina specializing in making higher-performing and even more refined versions of existing BMW vehicles. This special XB7 is a testament to where both BMW and Alpina have been — developing high-performance models designed to thrill in the twisties — but firmly symbolizes the brands’ commitment to the future, too. That future, apparently, seems to be full of polarizing design choices and marvelous powertrain pairings. Maybe some things will never change.