BMW acquired the rights to the ALPINA brand in 2022 and took full control earlier this year. However, we have not yet seen a car from the newly founded BMW ALPINA subsidiary. Before the rumored 7 Series facelift model hits the market, let’s take a look at a key part of the vehicle’s design. Yes, the wheels.
There are some legendary wheel designs, and then there is the legendary 20-spoke wheel from ALPINA. The roots go back to the company’s beginnings in the 1960s, when founder Burkhard Bovensiepen wanted to develop a wheel design that would set the ALPINA models apart from others.
This vision led to the 20-spoke star pattern layout, initially offered in 13 and 14 inch diameters. With the introduction of the BMW 3.0 CSL (E9) in 1971, ALPINA gained access to the BMW dealer network and made it possible to sell and install the elegant wheels directly at BMW dealers. As cars got bigger and tires got thicker, the rims increased accordingly, eventually reaching an impressive 23 inches on the XB7 – all while retaining the characteristic 20-spoke design.
For this new model era, BMW ALPINA has worked on a fresh rim design. While we still prefer the classic version, the new bike looks elegant. Perhaps intentionally, the center cap is not visible. This could indicate a change to the logo, meaning we’ll have to wait a little longer to see it.
A trademark filing last year hinted at a more minimalist approach, but nothing has been made official yet. In the meantime, the new BMW ALPINA word mark was unveiled on January 1, 2026. It marks the birth of the independent brand under the umbrella of the BMW Group. It will compete with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and GLS and position itself above high-end BMW models like the 7 Series and X7.
The wheel shown here is probably reserved for the BMW ALPINA 7 Series with the code name “G72”. The official premiere will take place after the regular “G70” receives a Life Cycle Impulse later this year. The more luxurious version could go on sale in 2026, although production reportedly won’t begin until July 2027.
Expect three variants: 740 xDrive, 760 xDrive and the electric i7 70 xDrive. Although the BMW Group recently promised to keep the V12 alive, it will likely remain exclusive to Rolls-Royce models. The “N74” engine was last used in a BMW-badged vehicle in 2022 with the M760i Final Edition.
