15:53 20-05-2026

BMW ALPINA Will Be Nearly the Opposite of BMW M

BMW's chief designer reveals ALPINA will have its own team, V8 engines, and a focus on quiet luxury performance, starting with the next 7 Series.

BMW has no intention of turning ALPINA into a mere trim package for expensive models. Adrian van Hooydonk, chief designer of BMW Group, explained at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este that the brand will have its own design team, a separate philosophy, and greater autonomy within the group.

The new ALPINA is set to become nearly the opposite of BMW M. While M increasingly speaks the language of aggressive bumpers, bright colors, and track-ready presentation, ALPINA will head in the direction of "quiet" speed. Hooydonk put it bluntly: ALPINA is for connoisseurs—people who love driving fast but don't want to announce to the outside world that they've bought a race car.

The first hint of the new style is the ALPINA Vision Car, built on the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe platform. The concept features a sharp sharknose inspired by the ALPINA B7 Turbo Coupe based on the E24, a sloping rear, new 20-spoke wheels, oval exhaust tips, painted side stripes, and the obligatory amber daytime running lights.

The technology will also remain serious. Van Hooydonk confirmed that a V8 will be part of the ALPINA lineup, with a target top speed of around 300 km/h. The suspension will be tuned not only for pace but also for long journeys—the idea is to drive fast and far without turning the car into a harsh track toy.

The first production models of the new ALPINA era will arrive next year and will be based on the BMW 7 Series. More compact successors like the B3 or B5 shouldn't be expected immediately; BMW is deliberately starting at the top and will expand the range gradually. The company doesn't want to flood the market with ALPINA in every segment, instead planning to keep output slightly below demand.

There is also a bolder possibility: in the future, ALPINA could get standalone models that are not directly based on existing BMWs. That would mark a break from its past tuner format. If BMW follows through on its promise, ALPINA will become not just a "more expensive BMW" but a distinct answer for those who want speed without the demonstrative aggression of M.