Have you ever seen a car so sleek it looked like it could charm its way out of a speeding ticket? That’s the vibe I got the first time I saw a BMW Alpina 7 Series in Jet Black at a dealership a few months back.
It was sitting there, all glossy and intimidating, like it was ready to race and take me to a fancy dinner. Then I spotted its sibling in Alpine White, looking like a classy angel with a mischievous streak.
I couldn’t help but grin—these cars weren’t just pretty; they were packing some serious performance upgrades under those stunning black and white finishes.
The Alpina 7 Series takes BMW’s luxury sedan and cranks it up to 11, and today, I’m spilling the beans on three little-known performance secrets that made these black and white beauties absolute beasts on the road.
So, let’s dive in with some techy details, a few laughs, and a story or two from my own adventures.
Tuned Suspension in 2019—Making the Jet Black B7 Handle Like a Dream
First up, let’s talk about a mod that made the Jet Black Alpina B7 handle corners like it was on rails: a tuned suspension system introduced in 2019. Alpina, the tuning wizards who take BMWs to the next level, didn’t just slap on some shiny paint and call it a day.
They reworked the suspension on the 2019 B7 to balance luxury with sporty precision, especially for those sleek Jet Black models that look like they mean business.
The setup used adaptive dampers—fancy shocks that adjust on the fly to the road conditions—combined with stiffer springs to reduce body roll when you’re carving up a twisty road.
The 2019 Alpina B7’s suspension could lower the car by about 15mm in Sport+ mode, giving it a lower center of gravity for better handling. Meanwhile, in Comfort mode, it softened up so you could glide over bumps without spilling your coffee.
This wasn’t just about comfort—it was about control. With 600 horsepower from its 4.4L twin-turbo V8, the B7 needed to stay planted, especially at speeds that make your passengers whisper, “Slow down!” The Jet Black finish, with its deep, glossy shine, made the car look like a stealth fighter, and the suspension ensured it drove like one, too—smooth but ready to pounce.
I got to experience this magic during a test drive last fall. My friend Mike, who works at a dealership, let me take a Jet Black B7 for a spin. We hit a winding road near the coast, and I’ll admit, I was a little nervous—I’m more of a “cruise in the slow lane” kind of guy.
But Mike egged me on, saying, “Push it a little, you’ll see!” So I did, and holy cow, that car took corners like it was glued to the pavement. I felt like a race car driver—or at least a guy pretending to be one on TV.
I laughed, “Mike, this thing’s a rocket!” He grinned, “Told ya—the suspension’s a game-changer.” I did wonder, though—does it ever feel too stiff? Mike shrugged, “Maybe on really rough roads, but that’s what Comfort mode is for.”
Fair enough. That tuned suspension made the Jet Black B7 a beast that could handle anything, and I’ve been daydreaming about it ever since.
High-Performance Exhaust with Blacked-Out Tips in 2021—Unleashing the Roar
Next, let’s talk about a mod that gave the Jet Black Alpina 7 Series a voice as bold as its looks: a high-performance exhaust system with blacked-out tips, introduced in 2021. Alpina didn’t just want the B7 to drive fast—they wanted it to sound fast, too.
The 2021 models got a custom exhaust that amplified the growl of the 4.4L V8, turning it from a polite hum into a deep, throaty roar that could wake up the neighbors.
The blacked-out tips, perfectly matching the Jet Black paint, gave the rear a menacing look, like the car was saying, “Don’t mess with me.”
This exhaust wasn’t just about noise—it added a bit of power, too. By reducing backpressure (that’s the resistance the engine faces pushing out exhaust gases), Alpina squeezed out an extra 10–15 horsepower, bringing the total to around 615.
The system also had active valves, so you could toggle between a quieter mode for city driving and a full-on roar for when you wanted to make an entrance.
Picture this: you’re pulling into a parking lot, the Jet Black B7 gleaming under the lights, and you blip the throttle—vroom!—heads turn, jaws drop, and you feel like a rock star. That’s the magic of this exhaust, and those blacked-out tips made it look as good as it sounded.
I got to hear this beast in action at a car show last summer, and I’m still grinning about it. A guy rolled up in a 2021 Jet Black B7, and when he revved the engine, I swear the ground shook.
I turned to my friend Lisa, who was with me, and said, “That sounds like a lion with a megaphone!” She laughed, “More like a dragon—I bet it breathes fire!” We watched as the owner parked, the blacked-out exhaust tips catching the light, and I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. I did wonder, though—does it ever get too loud?
The owner overheard me and said, “Only if you want it to!” He showed us the quiet mode, which was surprisingly tame. That exhaust made the Jet Black B7 a beast with a personality, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be hearing that roar in my dreams for years.
Lightweight Alloy Wheels on the 2023 Alpine White B7—Speed Meets Style
Finally, let’s talk about a mod that made the Alpine White Alpina B7 faster and prettier: lightweight alloy wheels introduced in 2023. Alpina has always been about performance, and for the 2023 B7, they designed new 21-inch alloy wheels that were not only gorgeous but also shaved off some serious weight.
These wheels, often finished in a glossy black to contrast the Alpine White paint, were about 20% lighter than the standard ones—think 5–7 pounds less per wheel. That might not sound like much, but in car terms, it’s huge.
Less weight means the car accelerates faster, stops quicker, and handles better, especially when you’re zipping through traffic at 01:51 PM +07 on a Monday, May 19, 2025, like I am right now, dreaming of a B7 instead of my usual commute.
The 2023 Alpina B7’s wheels weren’t just about performance—they were a style statement. The intricate, multi-spoke design looked like a piece of modern art, perfectly complementing the Alpine White finish that’s been a BMW icon for decades.
Those lighter wheels also reduced unsprung mass (a fancy term for the weight of parts not supported by the suspension), which made the ride smoother and more responsive.
With 608 horsepower on tap, the B7 needed every advantage to keep that power in check, and these wheels delivered, making the Alpine White model a stunning blend of speed and elegance.
I saw this beauty up close at a friend’s car club meetup earlier this year, and I was smitten. The Alpine White B7 looked like it had just rolled out of a magazine, with those shiny alloy wheels catching the sunlight.
I turned to my buddy Jake and said, “Those wheels are prettier than my car!” He laughed, “Yeah, but can you afford the speeding tickets this thing would get you?” I chuckled—probably not.
The owner let me sit in the driver’s seat, and I could feel how planted the car felt, even just sitting still. I did wonder, though—do lighter wheels wear out faster? The owner shrugged, “Maybe, but I’m too busy enjoying the drive to worry.” I get it.
Those lightweight wheels made the Alpine White B7 a beast that looked as good as it performed, and I’m already imagining one in my driveway—maybe with a few extra mods, just for fun.
Wrapping Up—Your Alpina 7 Series Is Ready to Rule the Road!
So, there you have it—three secrets that turned the BMW Alpina 7 Series black and white models into absolute beasts.
The tuned suspension gave the Jet Black B7 handling like a dream, the high-performance exhaust with blacked-out tips unleashed a roar to match its looks, and the lightweight alloy wheels made the Alpine White B7 a perfect blend of speed and style.
These upgrades show how Alpina took BMW’s luxury sedan and made it a performance monster, all while keeping that black and white elegance intact.
If you’re a BMW fan or just love cars that turn heads, I’d say check out an Alpina 7 Series in person—maybe take one for a spin if you’re lucky. Hit up a car show or browse some builds online for inspiration; I know I’ll be doing that after I finish this article.
For me, I’m still swooning over that Jet Black B7’s exhaust note, and I think I’d go for one in Alpine White if I ever get the chance—gotta love that classic look, right?
I’ll leave you with a quote from BMW designer Adrian van Hooydonk: “A car should move you—inside and out.” So go on, let an Alpina 7 Series move you, and enjoy the ride!