The Alpina will get you there, while the M is the vehicle for the track.
Automotive passion, cutting-edge technical training, ongoing innovation implementation, and a well-rounded staff of passionate “movers” create the distinctive and effective high-performance vehicles created by ALPINA that provide ideal daily usability. -Alpina
Alpina is the master carmaker for BMW. Hand-built engines are available, and Alpina saddlery can be chosen for the interior instead of the standard leather and stitching used by BMW. They are shipped to the BMW facility for final assembly once Alpina completes the construction of their interiors, motors, and parts. The aggressive, track-ready beast that the M’s are known for is not what Alpina aims to be. Instead, they are only strong and opulent. designed for the regular driving that takes place on our roads. In the long run, this mentality results in a car that is more pleasant and useful. Giving the performance while maintaining the comfort and luxury required for daily driving.
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Alpina
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG is a German automaker with headquarters in Buchloe, in the Ostallgau region of Bavaria. The firm creates and markets high-performance variants of BMW vehicles.
In contrast to other performance experts, which are aftermarket tuners, Alpina collaborates closely with BMW and has methods that are incorporated into BMW’s manufacturing lines. As a result, Alpina is recognized by the German Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer. For instance, the BMW Plant Dingolfing in Dingolfing, Germany, produces both the Alpina B7 and the company’s own 7 Series on the same production line. At Alpina’s plant in Buchloe, Germany, the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 for the B7 is hand-assembled before being delivered to BMW for installation. After installation, the car is sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.
Burkard Bovensiepen, a businessman from the Bovensiepen family, created the company in 1965.
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Automotive manufacturer Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG is situated in Buchloe, in the Ostallgau district of Bavaria, Germany, and sells its own vehicles based on BMW vehicles.
In contrast to other performance specialists who are aftermarket tuners, Alpina collaborates closely with BMW and has methods that are integrated into BMW’s manufacturing lines. As a result, Alpina is recognized by the German Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer. For instance, the BMW 7-Series and the Alpina B7 are both made on the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany. The twin-turbo 4.4-liter BMW V8 in the B7 is hand-assembled at Alpina’s plant in Buchloe, Germany, for the 2011 model year, delivered to BMW for installation, and then brought back for final touches.
What Will the BMW Purchase of ALPINA Mean for Upcoming Automobiles?
BMW recently announced that it had acquired ALPINA. After almost 60 years of cooperation between the two companies, BMW has now taken the initiative to formally purchase ALPINA and all of its luxury expertise. The benefits of that deal won’t manifest themselves fully until 2025, though, as both brands will uphold their previous commitment to continue producing automobiles in the same manner. But after that, ALPINA’s approach to automotive development will undergo significant modifications.
For instance, after 2025, ALPINA will stop producing automobiles at its Buchloe plant, where they have done so for 57 years. The Buchloe site, which is close to Munich, will continue to operate, but it will only offer servicing, parts, and traditional services for older ALPINA models.
It also implies that ALPINA will probably start its electric transition around 2025. Electrification was by far the main factor in ALPINA’s eventual decision to sell. The company was doing well; in fact, 2021 was its greatest year ever. However, tiny businesses will struggle to thrive in the next electrified market since they simply lack the resources to implement the new technology. ALPINA will survive and prosper in the new electrified world with BMW’s help, though.
Could ALPINA simply replace the insignia and add better leather to a BMW i4? Of course, but would that be the ALPINA way? ALPINA will need to completely rework BMW’s electric vehicles in order to fully produce the cars it wants to, and it now has the wherewithal to do so.
The size of ALPINA’s model portfolio after 2025 is something else to be on the lookout for. ALPINA has never created variations of every single BMW model, but given that it is now a part of the broader BMW Group, it is possible that its model lineup may significantly expand. All BMW I vehicles, ALPINA versions of the 2 Series, and many more SUVs were on display. But there are also some potentially nerve-wracking inquiries regarding the brand’s future.
Already, ALPINA fans are worried that it may become a trim level like M Performance. It does seem quite strange to offer ALPINA accessories as an extra trim line or package on even basic, entry-level BMW models. Will BMW further tarnish the name by making some ALPINA components, including wheels and interior upgrades, available for standard BMWs? Will ALPINA cease developing its own engines and stop creating cars that differ only externally? Though we have no way of knowing, we hope BMW stays true to the ALPINA brand.
The majority of what you’ll hear is supposition until the companies make any formal announcements because, in my opinion, there are currently more questions than there are answers. At this point, there are a lot of questions because BMW just recently made the announcement. However, we are eager to see how this new alliance will develop.
What Makes Alpina BMW Unique?
Some may be contemplating, “BMW already offers a high-end product range, right? The series M?” Although it is undeniably true that the M cars are built to higher standards than the conventional BMW Series models, the Alpina models go even further.
The first feature that sets Alpina BMW apart from the M Series is its stronger emphasis on daily use. In contrast to the M series, which is designed for the track, it is lavish, luxurious, and well-built, but it is still developed with everyday driving in mind.
The hand-crafted nature of the Alpina BMW vehicles is another unique feature. You receive the exquisite artistry of Alpina’s saddlery rather than mass-produced stitching. Even the engines are constructed manually. The name Alpina is synonymous with genuine luxury.
The combination of tremendous performance—found in their 600 horsepower engines—and detailed, cutting-edge design is what truly distinguishes Alpina BMW. Consider the BMW Alpina B7 from 2021. Alpina identified a high-performance car and improved it with additional elements, such as the redesigned front-end air intake system that more effectively channels air to match the enhanced engine power rating.
Luxury, Power, and Dynamics in a New Contemporary Design
The BMW ALPINA B7 has led the ALPINA model lineup since 2016, captivating enthusiasts all over the world with its excellent performance and unmatched driving experience. The BMW ALPINA B7 enters a new age in 2019 after undergoing extensive upgrades that make it smart, opulent, and powerful. The new BMW ALPINA B7 is equipped with an improved drivetrain, a completely revamped design, and cutting-edge driver assistance and connection features to satisfy even the most discerning consumers.
With bi-turbo charging, the most recent 4.4-liter V8 engine produces 447 kW (608 horsepower) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. The new BMW ALPINA B7 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds (formerly 3.7 seconds) and can reach a top speed of 330 km/h thanks to an increase in power and torque at lower rpm and sophisticated transmission technology (205 mph).
Alpina Performance Brand Joins the BMW Family
After 57 years, the prestigious tiny tuning company is being acquired by the car company, and after 2025, we can anticipate that all new Alpina models will be produced directly by BMW.
- Alpina, a small but well-known German tuner, has long produced its own versions of BMW vehicles.
- After 57 years of being a separate entity, the company is now being incorporated into the BMW corporate world.
- After 2025, new Alpina variants of BMWs will no longer be developed at the company’s Buchloe, Germany, headquarters. Despite this, the future of the Alpina brand under BMW ownership is still bright.
In contrast to the size and scope of Germany’s leading automakers, Alpina has long been a colorful outlier. The tuner was created as a result of an unusual transition from office supplies to performance components for BMW. With the cooperation of the larger firm, the symbiotic connection developed to the point where Alpina was producing its own variations of BMW models and even receiving early access to upcoming vehicles to help it plan its variations. Alpina distributed popular models like the XB7 through BMW in the United States, while in other nations, the two businesses were at least nominally in direct rivalry.
The 57-year cooperation between the two companies is about to come to an end, and it appears that after 2025, the Buchloe, Germany, factory will no longer be used for the development or production of new variations. This appears to be the result of two factors, the first of which is the increased difficulty of overcoming impossibly high compliance barricades. Alpina stated in its official statement that “the demands and risks for small-series manufacturers are increasing due to the politically motivated shift to electric mobility as well as tightening global regulatory demands, especially on vehicle emissions, software validation, and requirements on safeguarding driver assistant and supervisory systems.”
At the XB7’s 2020 European premiere, Alpina CEO Andeas Bovensiepen acknowledged that electrification was a significant obstacle that the small business would find difficult to overcome.
Paradoxically, Alpina’s rising success is the second factor. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s consequences, 2021 was the business’s most prosperous year to yet, with more than 2000 cars shipped worldwide. BMW obviously sees room for growth in that number and is likely considering how to include Alpina into its larger portfolio in a manner similar to how it has done with its own M division. (Alpina has traditionally mixed speed with increasing luxury; M’s brief is pure performance.)
Up until 2025, Alpina will continue to produce modified versions of current (and upcoming) BMW vehicles in Buchloe, after which the company will fully integrate the brand into the corporate Borg. Then, we assume, BMW’s facilities will handle development and production. The Bovensiepen family will also establish a new business under its own name, which will continue to work with vintage vehicles (presumably still BMWs) and provide engineering consulting services to other automakers in addition to BMW.
We are saddened by the demise of such a fascinating, independent firm, especially one that developed automotive pinstriping into such an art, and we hope that there will be more intriguing Alpina-branded vehicles in the future.
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Are BMW and Alpina the same?
The BMW Group is pleased to welcome the ALPINA brand as a new member of its family of brands. The BMW Group will acquire the rights to the ALPINA brand, expanding the variety of its own line of high-end vehicles. ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co. and BMW AG
Does Alpina belong to BMW?
Alpina’s focus today is on BMW customisation. The company operates independently of BMW while remaining a long-term collaborator. It creates high-performance versions of BMW.
What model year did Alpina BMW debut?
Alpina automobiles began competing in racing competitions in 1968 and won numerous races. The 1970 European Touring Championship, German Hillclimb Championship rallies, and Spa 24 Hours victories by Alpina were significant victories. In 1988, Alpina stopped competing because of engine limitations.
Alpina automobiles were known for their 20-spoke alloy wheels, “Alpina Blue” metallic paint, and plush interiors. The Alpina C1, which was based on the BMW E21 3-series, was a pioneering example. The vehicle had a 170 horsepower output and a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds. On the seats was the standard blue and green Alpina interior design.
The German Federal Ministry of Transport recognized Alpina as a car manufacturer in 1983. Unlike BMW, Alpina vehicles are branded with the Alpina name. Specific BMW dealerships still sell Alpina automobiles.
The increased focus on high performance was another way that Alpina and BMW were different. For instance, the Alpina B5’s 4.4-litre V8 engine was supercharged to produce a significant amount of torque.
Alpina has drawn interest from other companies in the past, including Jaguar, which once intended to buy the business. Alpina has never wavered in their mission to create quick and potent vehicles throughout the history of the brand.