Tag Archives: 7 Series

BMW Alpina Teases New 7 Series-Based Luxury Sedan for 2027

BMW Alpina has released the first official teaser of its upcoming luxury sedan, confirming that an entirely new chapter is about to begin for the legendary German performance and luxury brand. Based on the BMW 7 Series, the new model will become the first production vehicle developed since Alpina became a fully integrated part of the BMW Group. Its market launch is scheduled for 2027, with the official debut expected in the coming weeks.

The first teaser, published on BMW Alpina’s official Instagram account, deliberately keeps the car hidden behind a blurred image. Nevertheless, it reveals enough to suggest a low-slung luxury sedan featuring distinctive split LED headlights. The accompanying message, stating that the new model is already out on the road and that some people may have already passed it, strongly indicates that development prototypes are undergoing real-world testing on public roads.

For Alpina enthusiasts, this is an important moment. The new sedan will effectively mark the return of the brand’s flagship four-door luxury model following the end of production of the BMW Alpina B7 in 2022.

BMW Alpina’s New Flagship Will Be Inspired by the 7 Series

BMW first provided a glimpse of its new Alpina direction in May, when it presented the Vision BMW Alpina concept at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The concept offered an early indication of how the brand intends to combine BMW’s modern design language with Alpina’s traditional approach to exclusivity, craftsmanship and long-distance comfort.

At the time, BMW confirmed that the first new production model would arrive in 2027, drawing inspiration from the 7 Series while remaining, in the company’s own words, unmistakably BMW Alpina.

Although the upcoming sedan will share its fundamental architecture with BMW’s flagship luxury car, it is expected to receive a considerably more individual identity. Spy photographs suggest that the Alpina model will feature amber-colored daytime running lights, similar to those showcased on the Vision concept, alongside a redesigned front bumper with a more prominent lower spoiler.

Other expected exterior modifications include a distinctive grille pattern, exclusive Alpina badging and specially designed alloy wheels. At the rear, the brand’s traditional quad oval exhaust outlets are likely to provide one of the most recognizable visual signatures.

These changes should help distinguish the Alpina from the standard BMW 7 Series without abandoning the elegant proportions and understated character that have defined the brand for decades.

V8 Power Expected, but an Electric Alpina Cannot Be Ruled Out

Perhaps the biggest question surrounding the upcoming BMW Alpina concerns its powertrain.

The sound of development prototypes recorded during track testing suggests that a V8 engine could be under the bonnet. If that proves correct, the new model would continue an important part of Alpina’s heritage, combining effortless performance with the refined character expected from a high-end luxury limousine.

As a reference point, the pre-facelift BMW 760i xDrive was powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 544 hp. However, there is currently no official confirmation regarding the engine specifications or output of the upcoming Alpina.

An all-electric version also remains a possibility. BMW could potentially draw inspiration from the electric powertrain used in the BMW i7 M70, which produces an impressive 680 hp. Such a configuration would give Alpina an opportunity to extend its traditional luxury philosophy into the electric flagship segment.

For now, the V8 appears to be the more intriguing possibility, particularly given the sounds reportedly produced by the prototypes. Nevertheless, BMW has yet to disclose whether the new model will be offered with combustion power, electric propulsion or multiple powertrain configurations.

BMW Alpina Will Position Itself Above BMW and Below Rolls-Royce

The transformation of Alpina into a fully integrated BMW Group brand represents more than an ownership change. It also signals a clearer positioning within BMW’s increasingly diverse luxury portfolio.

BMW intends to position Alpina between its most exclusive BMW models and Rolls-Royce, with a greater emphasis on comfort, refinement, individualization and craftsmanship than outright performance.

This strategy will place the new BMW Alpina sedan in direct competition with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, one of the most established names in the ultra-luxury limousine segment.

Unlike BMW M, which focuses primarily on high-performance driving dynamics, Alpina has traditionally pursued a different balance. Its vehicles combine powerful engines with sophisticated suspension tuning, exceptional long-distance comfort and distinctive interior and exterior details.

That philosophy is expected to remain central to the new generation of Alpina vehicles. Rather than simply producing a more powerful 7 Series, BMW appears to be developing a genuinely more exclusive luxury automobile.

The sedan is also unlikely to be the only addition to the revived lineup. Following its introduction, an Alpina interpretation of the next-generation BMW X7 is reportedly expected, potentially extending the brand’s influence into the increasingly important ultra-luxury SUV market.

New BMW Alpina Could Cost More Than the Most Expensive 7 Series

Pricing will be another important indicator of BMW’s ambitions for Alpina.

The upcoming model is expected to cost more than the most expensive BMW 7 Series variant, reflecting its more exclusive positioning, bespoke design elements and additional luxury appointments.

That would place it firmly in the territory traditionally occupied by the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, although the final pricing structure will depend on the model’s powertrain, equipment and available customization options.

The new sedan will also carry considerable symbolic importance. It is not simply another derivative of the BMW 7 Series, but the first production model representing Alpina’s future under BMW Group ownership.

With its debut expected in the coming weeks and customer deliveries scheduled for 2027, the upcoming luxury sedan could become one of the most significant additions to BMW’s high-end portfolio.

After several years without a new B7 flagship, Alpina is preparing to return with a different identity, a renewed strategy and a clear ambition: to offer an alternative to the world’s most prestigious luxury limousines while preserving the distinctive character that made the name famous.

Source: BMW Alpina via instagram

2026 BMW 7-Series Facelift Brings Neue Klasse Tech and a Boosted Inline-Six

BMW’s flagship sedan is about to get a dose of its own future. The seventh-generation 7-Series (internal code G70) is preparing for a mid-cycle update in 2026, and while the changes on the outside seem modest, what’s happening beneath the sheetmetal—and inside the cabin—could redefine Munich’s luxury benchmark.

Familiar Face, Fresh Tech

Spy shots suggest that BMW isn’t about to shock the world with a radical redesign. The polarizing split-headlight setup and the gaping kidney grille—love them or hate them—are staying. Designers are reportedly refining details around the bumpers and lights, but the basic face of the 7 remains unmistakably… large.

Inside, though, things are taking a turn for the futuristic. BMW is giving its flagship the full Neue Klasse treatment, debuting the brand’s latest iDrive X infotainment system paired with Panoramic Vision—a wide, pillar-to-pillar projection at the base of the windshield. The setup essentially replaces traditional gauges, extending across the entire dashboard and even letting passengers customize their own display area. Think of it as BMW’s version of a digital cockpit gone widescreen.

Inline-Six, Upgraded

The real story for enthusiasts, however, sits under the hood. BMW is reportedly upgrading its venerable B58 inline-six to the B58TÜ3 specification for the facelifted 740. That means a healthy bump to 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, up from 375 hp and 383 lb-ft in the current 740i. It’s not the wildest B58 tune we’ve seen—Toyota’s Supra A90 Final Edition still leads with 429 hp—but it’s enough to make the refreshed 7-Series a touch quicker and even smoother.

Interestingly, the naming convention is changing too. Gas models will drop the “i” from their badges, so expect to see “740” instead of “740i” on the trunk lid. The lineup will also include a 735 variant with 286 hp, using the same updated engine in a detuned state.

Electrified Expansion

BMW isn’t forgetting its electric ambitions. The facelift arrives with a full spread of i7 models, including the i7 50 xDrive, i7 60 xDrive, and the high-performance i7 M70 xDrive. Production kicks off in July 2026, followed by diesel and plug-in hybrid additions—740d xDrive, 750e xDrive, and the M760e xDrive—that November. One notable absence? The V8-powered 760, which insiders suggest may skip the U.S. market until 2027, if it makes it at all.

ALPINA’s Touch of Elegance

As always, ALPINA will get its hands on the luxury flagship. The Buchloe-based tuner is planning three versions of the updated model—740 xDrive, 760 xDrive, and i7 70 xDrive—each dressed with the brand’s trademark elegance and subtle aggression. Expect signature multi-spoke wheels, exclusive interior details, and torque-rich performance that blurs the line between serenity and speed.

Looking Ahead

If the rumors hold true, the 2026 facelift will give the 7-Series more than a fresh face—it’ll serve as a bridge between BMW’s combustion-powered past and its Neue Klasse future. The styling may not shock, but the tech and hardware underneath promise to push the brand’s luxury flagship deeper into tomorrow.

Source: BMW

BMW 7 Series Protection: The Chancellor’s New Shield

For decades, if you were a German Chancellor being whisked through Berlin traffic with a briefcase full of state secrets and a convoy of flashing blue lights, there was really only one acceptable choice of wheels: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard. A rolling fortress in a three-pointed star suit. But times change — and apparently, so do political bodyguards.

According to Der Spiegel, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) — the outfit that protects Germany’s top brass, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier — has awarded its latest armored limo contract to BMW. Specifically, Munich’s new 7 Series Protection, internal code G73.

Yes, you read that right: the country’s most powerful people are swapping Stuttgart for Munich. That’s like the Royal Family trading in their Bentley for a Range Rover. Quietly seismic.

Not Just a Beefed-Up Beemer

You might think this is just a regular 7 Series that’s been down to Halfords for some bulletproof glass and a few Kevlar panels. You’d be wrong. The 7 Series Protection is built from the ground up as an armored car — no bolt-on bodge jobs here.

At its heart lies BMW’s “Protection Core,” a self-supporting cocoon made from high-strength steel that’s baked directly into the chassis and roof frame. This gives the car a 360-degree shield against high-caliber gunfire and small explosives. It’s less “reinforced limousine” and more “luxury tank with massage seats.”

The glass alone could probably stop a rhino in full charge, while the underbody armor laughs in the face of grenades and drone-dropped explosives. The result meets VPAM 10 certification, which, if you’re not fluent in ballistic ratings, is about as high as it gets for civilian vehicles. It’ll shrug off fire from 7.62 × 54 mm R rounds — the sort you’d normally associate with Russian sniper rifles.

Fire and Fury, V8 Edition

While BMW also builds an all-electric i7 Protection (for heads of state who like their eco-credentials as bulletproof as their doors), the BKA has opted for something a bit more… traditional. The 760i Protection. Under the bonnet sits a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, mildly electrified and producing a healthy 544 horsepower.

That’s not a powertrain you’ll find in your local German dealership — this one’s exclusive to government duty. And while the whole package tips the scales at over 4,000 kilograms, BMW’s engineers have fettled the chassis, suspension, and brakes to ensure that when the sirens blare, the big Beemer can still shift like an express train on the Autobahn.

The Michelin PAX run-flats can keep the car moving at 80 km/h even with no air left in the tires, and the self-sealing fuel tank means that even a direct hit won’t turn the cabin into a fireball. Handy, that.

The Armored Penthouse

Inside, it’s business as usual — if your business is conducted from a mobile five-star suite. Buyers (or rather, federal procurement officers) can spec the same Executive Lounge seats, massage functions, cool box, and Bowers & Wilkins sound system as the civilian 7 Series.

The BMW Curved Display and Protection Command Touch System blend infotainment with intelligence, letting the driver control everything from the intercom to the exterior lights and secure communication links — all from within a cocoon quieter than the Bundestag after budget cuts.

A Symbolic Win for Munich

This isn’t just a sales victory for BMW; it’s a changing of the guard — literally. For decades, Mercedes ruled the corridors of German power, its S-Class synonymous with authority and discretion. Now, BMW’s Dingolfing plant — where the Protection models are hand-assembled alongside the standard 7 Series and i7 — becomes the new nerve center of Germany’s state mobility.

So the next time you spot a sleek black 7 Series silently gliding through Berlin with tinted glass and a convoy in tow, remember: that’s not just another luxury limo. That’s the Federal Republic’s fortress on wheels — faster than fear, tougher than politics, and possibly the most important BMW ever built.

Source: BMW