There is a widespread misunderstanding that Alpina is only a tuner. However, more than 40 years have passed since the German Federal Ministry has recognized it as an automobile manufacturer. Each vehicle built into Buchloe carries an alpina-specific VIN and an individual production blank.
But Alpina does a lot more. It restores classic cars and even produces parts to keep older models on the street. It has also been working directly with the BMW group as a supplier of engineering services for almost 15 years. In a new interview, CEO Andreas Bovensiepen reveals some of the projects that the company founded its father in recent years.
We learn that some Alpina engineers traveled to China to help BMW optimize the suspension of the electrical Mini Cooper (J01). This is not the first time that Alpina worked on a mini. In the mid-2000s, a Cooper S Lux was based on the R53 generation. This unique project received the signature wheels, Blue Body accents and a higher interior that was cut in Alcantara.
Fast lead to the past few years, and the company has contributed to perfecting the Dynamic Stability Control System (DSC) of a nameless Rolls-Royce model. After what we heard, Alpina also worked with Toyota to optimize the axes of the Z4 M40i Supra Finale Edition.
Although the BMW group has acquired the rights to the Alpina brand, the company itself continues under the name of the call of the starting machine. Apart from the introduction of new cars such as the M4 designed by Zagato, it will continue to offer technical services for the BMW Group.
As for the Alpina brand, Andreas confirmed that BMW will mainly use the name for its largest models. Think of 7 series and X7, but continued to push up to bridge the gap with the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Cullinan. We have already reported the strong probability of future electric vehicles based on these two luxury flagships. The 7-Series Facelift, which comes next year, is widely expected to produce an Alpina-Baded i7.
The first IX7 is due in 2027 and probably also receives an Alpina version. Petrol aromas of both are also planned, and BMW has reportedly assigned the Alpina models certain internal code names: “G72” for the 7 Series and “G69” for the X7.
Regardless of whether it is the Alpina brand or the family -run company, the future looks bright.
Video: Motomantv Podcast / YouTube
