Since its announcement, the 2020 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive created a great source of excitement and speculation about what future years may bring. The models currently available push the boundaries of what you can expect to find in a sedan, and it doesn’t look like BMW’s ready to quit any time soon.

What you’re getting on the Alpina B7 xDrive

BMW occupies a unique space in the market. It’s a luxury brand, but most people wouldn’t expect even the most expensive BMW vehicles to have prices like a Maserati. But the 2020 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive is even more expensive than some entry-level Maserati cars. Before we get to the eye-popping prices, let’s take a look at what the vehicle delivers.

Courtesy of Car and Driver, the Alpina B7 xDrive’s specs include all-wheel drive with 600 horsepower, an 8-speed automatic transmission, zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, zero to 100 mph in 7.7 seconds, standing quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 205 mph. The fuel economy is 20 combined mpg, 17 city, and 25 highway.

There’s a lot to unpack here, and it starts with the advertised top speed. Car and Driver was unable to confirm, but BMW’s 205 mph top speed places the vehicle as one of the fastest available production sedans on the market. While manufacturers like Bentley have produced vehicles capable of crossing the 200 mph threshold, the 2020 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive is undoubtedly the least expensive and most available car with that feat on its resume.

Everything besides performance

It’s not just performance that drives the price. BMW has gone all out to make the vehicle look and feel like the luxury you’re paying for here. Reviews praised the climate control that kept the cabin comfortable even as the vehicle approached 200+ mph. With Sport or Sport Plus mode activated, it truly handles like a sports car even at high speeds. 

Overseas buyers have the option to enjoy a full-leather interior, while that spec is unavailable on vehicles sold in America. We know it’s fun to drive and handles well, and it goes very, very fast. But how much does it cost?

BMW’s massive asking price

The 2020 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive comes in at a base price of just over $140,000-$143,795 to be exact. For that price, you’re getting into Maserati territory. But it’s an accessible price for folks who might usually look at BMWs if they’re willing to go a little higher. This is not a car that we’ve seen the likes of before, and BMW is well within their rights to charge what they want. The 2020 Alpina B7 xDrive is almost in a class all its own. It’s still technically a consumer sedan you can purchase, but it has a lot more in common with supercars under the hood.

As exciting as that legendary top speed is, consumers won’t find a place to use it unless they’re on their way to the Portofino Inn. There are undoubtedly other more practical vehicles available for much cheaper. But the customer buying a 2020 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive doesn’t care that they could buy 20 pre-owned Honda Civics with the same stack of cash.

Something about the car calls to them, and they’re willing to pay the price. In the case of the Alpina, there’s a lot to do the calling. Whether spending $143k on a sedan makes sense for your budget or not, it’s free to admire the 2020 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive.