When BMW acquired the rights to the ALPINA brand back in March 2022, the move sent tremors through the world of German performance luxury. Yet, for nearly three years, nothing seemed to change. That’s because the long-standing agreement governing ALPINA’s operations doesn’t officially expire until December 31, 2025. Now, with that date racing toward us like a boosted inline-six on an unrestricted Autobahn, the shape of ALPINA’s future is finally coming into focus.
Handing Over the Keys—But Not the Whole Garage
On the last day of 2025, ALPINA Automobiles will transfer control of its main social media presence to BMW. But there’s one key exception: the ALPINA Classic account stays independent, continuing to represent the heritage side of the brand. That independence matters, because the Buchloe crew will still manage parts, service, and accessories for both classic and modern ALPINAs. If you already own one—from an E28 B7 Turbo to a recent B8 Gran Coupe—your car remains in the hands of the people who built its reputation in the first place.
A New Generation of ALPINA Models—By BMW
The bigger shift happens on the product side. Starting in 2026, BMW will decide which new vehicles wear the ALPINA badge. And the first out of the gate looks to be a reimagined 7 Series.
Expect not one, but three ALPINA 7 Series variants:
- ALPINA 740
- ALPINA 760
- ALPINA i7 70 (yes, an electric ALPINA)
Think of them as ultra-specified G70 7 Series models, enhanced with ALPINA-exclusive styling, interior flourishes, and powertrain upgrades. A reveal could happen as soon as next year, though production may not start until 2027.
Not far behind, the next-gen X7—codenamed G69—is also slated to receive the ALPINA touch, again with both gas and electric flavors.
Will ALPINA Become Just Another Trim Level? BMW Says No.
Scroll through the comments on any ALPINA announcement, and you’ll find a recurring fear: that the brand will be diluted into a simple “luxury trim” across BMW’s lineup. According to people familiar with the plan, that isn’t happening.
Instead, ALPINA is moving further upmarket, positioned to bridge the gap between BMW’s flagship offerings and the ultra-luxury territory of Rolls-Royce. That strategy comes with trade-offs. It likely means saying goodbye to the lower-end ALPINA staples such as the B3/D3, B4/D4, and even the B5. In the near term, the focus shifts firmly to the 7 Series and X7—big, plush canvases for ALPINA’s craftsmanship.
The End of an Era—And the Start of Something New
ALPINA’s story stretches back 60 years, from its roots tuning carburetors and winning races, to becoming an officially recognized German vehicle manufacturer in 1983. The transition to BMW stewardship is undeniably the end of a chapter—but it isn’t the end of the spirit that built the brand.
For those who want something crafted by the Bovensiepen family themselves, there’s an intriguing side project: a Zagato-designed, M4-based coupe with a fixed double-bubble roof. Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen—sons of the late ALPINA founder Burkard Bovensiepen—are launching the new Bovensiepen brand, focused on low-volume, high-cost specialty cars. Think of it as a boutique continuation of the philosophy that made ALPINA special in the first place.
What Comes Next
As ALPINA enters its BMW-managed era, expect more luxury, more exclusivity, and a new electric chapter. The name may be moving under a larger umbrella, but the goal remains familiar: build some of the most distinctive, refined German performance cars on the road.
If the past is any guide, the next generation of ALPINAs won’t just be rebadged BMWs—they’ll be proper Buchloe-bred machines, shaped for a very different future.
Source: Alpina