The End of an Alpina Legacy: A Final Farewell to the Iconic Tuner
The iconic Alpina brand, a revered name in the automotive world for its performance-enhanced BMWs, is set to bid farewell to its 60-year legacy. The final 'true' Alpina creation will be a limited-edition SUV, the XB7, a model that encapsulates the essence of Alpina's history and craftsmanship.
This special edition XB7, set to be unveiled on Friday, is a testament to the brand's exclusive and limited-production philosophy. According to BMW, the new owner of Alpina, this model is specifically tailored for the United States and Canada markets. It's a significant moment, as the deal to produce this limited-run special was finalized before BMW's acquisition of the Alpina brand.
The XB7's unveiling marks the end of an era for the Bovensiepen family, who founded Alpina in 1965 as an independent manufacturer with factory warranties. The family's 'no compromise' ethos, which has defined Alpina's performance-focused approach, is now transitioning into a new chapter under BMW's guidance.
Alpina's final standalone model, the B8 GT, a powerful 8 Series-based saloon, was revealed in January 2025. This marks the end of Alpina's traditional performance cars, as the brand now looks to the future with BMW's support.
The first Alpina model developed under BMW's ownership is set to be unveiled later this year, featuring a new branding that was recently revealed. This shift in branding signals a new direction for Alpina, one that promises an extraordinary range of bespoke options, positioning it as a high-performance alternative to Mercedes-Benz's ultra-luxurious Maybach brand.
The Bovensiepen family's decision to sell Alpina to BMW in 2022 was driven by their belief that the electric age presented challenges to their 'no compromise' philosophy. Andreas Bovensiepen emphasized the need for capable software engineers to differentiate electric Alpinas, a costly endeavor that would have been difficult to justify.
Despite the transition, the Alpina legacy lives on. The Bovensiepen family has established a new car company, with their first offering being a modified BMW M4 coupé, crafted by the renowned coachbuilder Zagato. This marks a new beginning for Alpina, as it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing automotive landscape.
