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The 2017 Alpina B7 xDrive isn't as cool as the BMW M760i

Steve Ewing is good people, but when it comes to big BMWs, he talks nonsense. He argues, incorrectly, that the new Alpina B7 is somehow cooler than the new M760i. Here's why he's wrong. No surprise, but the bulk of the pro-M760i argument comes from under the hood. Yes, both cars produce 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, but it's where the power comes from that really matters. The M760i's power is just much more accessible, with peak torque coming in at just 1,500 rpm, while the Alpina makes owners wait until 3,000 rpm for max twist (a fact Ewing glosses over). The V12 also offers up all 600 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, 250 rpm earlier. Sure, the Alpina is 0.3 seconds faster to 60 miles per hour – it does the deed in 3.6 seconds to the M760's 3.9 seconds – but it relies on a tweaked transmission setup to do it. Not only that, but big automakers like BMW are usually quite conservative about performance figures, so it's still a bit early to hand a medal to the aftermarket. Here's the other thing about the engines – Nigel Tufnel would prefer the M760i. See, the Alpina has a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8, but the M760i has a 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V12. To paraphrase Tufnel, "This one has a V12." We rest our case. Other changes between the two cars are largely in the eye of the beholder – we can talk about the transmission, suspension, and xDrive changes until we're blue in the face, but we simply don't have enough information about the two setups to make substantive arguments – some people might prefer the subtler styling of the M760i. We're not going to blame anyone for liking the more aggressive look of the Alpina, with its big, quad-tipped exhaust, meaty front splitter, or aggressive side sills. And those 21-inch Alpina wheels? Easily the coolest styling detail. You can get a closer look at them, and the Alpina's other changes, in our live gallery from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show. Related Video: Power, Dynamics and Luxury combined for class-leading performance and a superior driving experience – the all-new 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive. - Unique combination of high-performance drivetrain with 600 bHP and xDrive all-wheel drive system provide a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.6 seconds. - Most advanced suspension and chassis technology with ALPINA calibration including for the first time Integral Active Steering for ultimate dynamics and comfort.

2016 BMW X1 takes a more mainstream approach [w/video]

I really like the outgoing X1, simply because it's still an 'old' BMW. I say 'old' because all of the 'new' BMWs don't really feel that great to me – they just aren't the driver's cars they used to be. But the X1 still uses the rear-wheel-drive 1 Series architecture, and I love the way it drives. As for this new X1, it looks to be a vastly improved product in many key areas, but I worry that it, too, will suffer from the same sort of dulling that every other BMW has received. So it goes. Nevertheless, the new X1 should appeal to a broader range of luxury crossover shoppers. It ditches the cool, tall wagon shape of the old model in favor of a more traditional CUV shape. Think small X5. There's far more technology inside and out, passengers will enjoy an increase in spaciousness, and the X1 is more efficient than before, as well. Only one engine will be available in the US – BMW's 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-four-cylinder with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission. While I'm not sure if this X1 will be as entertaining to drive as the outgoing model, the new car's improvements will surely help sales. That's especially important as small, luxury CUVs are hotter than ever. See the new car for yourself, live from Frankfurt, in the gallery above. The All-New BMW X1: - Greatest interior roominess and versatility in its class - Highest power with reduced emissions - Commanding presence, robust proportions, dynamic lines - Innovative connectivity and groundbreaking BMW EfficientDynamics technology unparalleled in the segment Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – EMBARGO: June 2, 2015 – 6:00pm EDT/3:00pm PDT... Today, BMW announced the all-new BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle. In its second generation, the new MY 2016 BMW X1 builds on the success of its predecessor (61,974 sold in the US to date) by incorporating a roomier interior, greater efficiency and technology on the forefront of innovation. The second generation takes to the stage with a body design typical of a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle. The BMW X1 xDrive28i will be the exclusive model in the US at launch featuring a 2.0-liter TwinTurbo 4-cylinder engine from BMW's new family of modular engines with maximum output of 228 horsepower, making the all new BMW X1 the most powerful entry model in the segment. It will be mounted to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

2015 BMW i8 [w/video]

The most important thing to keep in mind while driving BMW's all-new i8 is that it's not a product of the company's vaunted M division.
Sleek sports-coupe design, carbon-fiber construction and blistering acceleration may cause automotive enthusiasts to drool, but the i8 has not been conceptualized, engineered or assembled to be another one of BMW's world-class track stars. Instead, the i8 has been hatched as a progressive sports car from the Bavarian outfit's new i division, which "represents visionary electric vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design and a new understanding of premium that is strongly defined by sustainability." Think of it as thrilling, but with an engaging environmental twist.
It's nearly impossible to walk up to the i8 with stopping twenty feet short and taking in its styling. There's no other production car as visually fascinating - this BMW is showroom-ready sculpture that captures all of the essence of the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept that wowed crowds at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The wind sees it as a 0.26 drag coefficient, but humans will study its beautifully crafted carbon fiber and glass panels and realize they're in the presence of the future.