Rumors are pointing to a 600 hp ALPINA X7 coming to American next year. According to Motor1 While Alpina typically equips its larger products with high Torque turbo diesels in Europe, the thinking is that we’ll see a modified version of the 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 found in the current B7 offer by BMWNA.

Earlier this year we sat down with Alpina CEO Andy Bovensiepen and we walked us through some of what makes the B7 and 600 hp updated V8 special. While the 205 mph top speed gets top billing, there a lot more to an Alpina like the B7. There are countless revisions that allow for flatter torque curves and effortless speed. Currently the output of the Alpina V8 is a gaudy 600 bhp @ 5500-6500 rpm and 590 lb-ft @ 2000-5000 rpm. The X7 version could even eclipse that.

Alpina xb7
Alpina CEO Andy Bovensiepen presiding over the new B7

On the new B7 all these engineering changes and beautiful details add up to a presence that’s identifiably Alpina and totally unique in the BMW world. Even without having driven it, you come away fully believing that this is the pinnacle of the 7 Series range. There’s no garish and overly muscular M styling bits. Alpina has instead always chosen to straddle the line between luxury and hotrod in the most graceful ways. Can they create that same magic with the much larger X7? Here’s to hoping.