Alpina — BrandWiki

Alpina

key people	Andreas Bovensiepen (CEO)

industry	Automotive

products	Automobiles

parent	BMW

homepage	https://www.bmwalpina.com

Alpina is a high-end luxury automobile brand by BMW. Alpina originally started as an automobile manufacturing company named Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen, based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany that develops and sells high-performance versions of BMW cars. The company was officially renamed BMW Alpina in 2025. Alpina works closely with BMW and their processes are integrated into BMW's production lines, and is recognized by the German Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer, in contrast to other performance specialists, which are aftermarket tuners. The Alpina B7 is produced at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany (BMW Plant Dingolfing), as BMW's own 7 Series. The B7's twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.[1][2]

The firm was founded in 1965 by Burkard Bovensiepen (1936–2023),[3] a member of the Bovensiepen family of industrialists. On 10 March 2022, BMW announced its intention to acquire Alpina.[4] That same day, BMW wrote on its website that it had officially acquired the brand.[5]

History

Alpina's roots can be traced back to 1962, when Burkard Bovensiepen developed a Weber dual carburetor for the BMW 1500. This carburetor was well received by the automotive press, as well as BMW's own sales boss Paul G. Hahnemann. In 1964, BMW certified the quality of this Alpina product by awarding BMW vehicles fitted with the Alpina system the full factory guarantee.

Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen KG was established on 1 January 1965 in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria. The company had eight employees. Although Alpina started by producing typewriters, the original Alpina ceased to exist at the end of the 1960s in their attempt to move into the textile industry. In 1965, Burkard established a BMW tuning business, following his success with investments in the stock market. He started the tuning business in an outbuilding of the original Alpina typewriter factory. The company worked on carburetors and revised cylinder heads. By 1970, with seventy employees, the original facility changed locations from Kaufbeuren to Buchloe.

In its first years, Alpina established its core competency by tuning carburetors and camshafts to extract more power from BMW engines, elements that eventually defined the company's logo, which came into being in 1967. Between 1968 and 1977, Alpina cars did very well in competition. The highlight was in 1970, when the team's cars won the European Touring Car Championship, the German Hillclimb Championship, rally and track racing championships, and the prestigious Spa 24 Hours.

Alpina officially withdrew from racing in 1988 because of capacity limitations and restrictions. Tied to this was the decision to begin production of a new set of BMW Alpina automobiles.

Brand distinctions

Since 1983, Alpina has been recognized by the German Federal Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer,[5] thus Alpina-built cars are branded and registered as Alpina instead of BMW, although an Alpina can be serviced at all BMW dealerships, and is fully covered if a warranty issue arises. Alpina automobiles are also sold at some BMW dealerships.

Distinctive features of Alpina vehicles are the fact that these models are literally "manu-factured", meaning "hand-made". The production process switches between fine tuning the engine, delivering it to the BMW plant, marrying engine and body there, and bringing it back to Alpina for interior upgrade with Alpina's specific components, again all in a hand-made process that allows only limited production numbers. Besides engine and interior, Alpina also optimizes the transmission and installs steering wheel-mounted button shifters (called Switch-Tronic) on most cars, with paddle shifters used on the B4 S Edition 99. This has historic reasons, since Alpina was the first to mount shifting buttons on the steering wheel.[7] Distinguishing marks from the exterior are the 20-spoke alloy wheels with hidden valves under the center cap and the "Alpina Blue" or "Alpina Green" metallic exterior colours. Inside, "the finest materials are used to fabricate the exclusive feel". A typical blue and green pattern is often used on interior parts such as stitching on leather. A thin, pinstriped style outside body decor set in gold or silver is also a hallmark of older Alpina cars which is an option on new Alpina models. Another distinguishing mark is the Alpina wordmark at the bottom of the car's front, a design heralded from its racing cars. A metal plate inside also proves the heritage and the serial number of the car.

Current lineup

Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Saloon/Touring: based on the BMW F30/F31 3 Series - featuring a 3.0-litre straight-six bi-turbocharged diesel engine, delivering 350 PS / 700 Nm[9]
Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo Saloon/Touring: based on the BMW F30/F31 3 Series - featuring a 3.0-litre straight-six bi-turbocharged petrol engine, delivering 440 PS / 660 Nm[10]
Alpina XD3: based on the BMW G01 X3 - featuring a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine:
a quad-turbocharged version delivering 388 PS / 770 Nm (left-hand drive)
a bi-turbocharged version delivering 333 PS / 700 Nm (right-hand drive)
Alpina D4 Bi-Turbo

Previous models

Petrol-engine

Diesel-engine

Alpina XD3 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F25 X3 - featuring a 3 L straight-six bi-turbo Diesel engine, delivering 350 PS and 700 Nm.[46]

3 Series based Alpinas

Alpina C1

The Alpina C1 was based on the E21 323i and was among their most popular early models, providing superior performance over the unmodified car. The C1 2.3 made 125 kW and 225 Nm of torque. 0–100 km/h is achieved in 7.8 seconds. Top speed was 213 km/h.[47] The extra power is due to special Mahle pistons, and a special exhaust and ignition system. It also received dry-sump lubrication and a short-ratio five-speed gearbox.[47] Only 35 C1 cars were built, making it one of the rarest Alpina models. As BMW released the 325i, Alpina responded with the C2 2.5, and later the 2.7 models, providing between 190-210 hp. The brakes and suspension were also upgraded.

The C1 2.5 and early C2 / 2.6* models used the M20B23 (2.3L) engine, but bore and stroke were increased to achieve a displacement of 2552 cm3. Alpina reworked the head which was ported and polished, installed harder valve springs and a hotter cam. The intake manifold was also reworked, and Alpina used a larger throttle body. It produced 136 kW, with 246 Nm of torque. Alpina claimed 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.1 seconds. Top speed was 220 km/h. Production is unclear, with estimates ranging from 35 cars built to around 400 depending on the source.

5 Series based Alpinas

E12 B2

The Alpina B2 is based on the 1976 BMW 5 Series (E12) 528i. The car featured a bored-out 230 hp 3.0-liter straight-six fitted with three double barrel carburetors.[59] Only eleven B2 were built before the introduction of the B7.[60]

E12 B7 Turbo / B7 S Turbo

The Alpina B7 Turbo is based on the BMW 5 Series (E12) 528i like its predecessor the B2. From 1978 to 1982 it featured a B7 engine with 221 kW at 6,000 rpm and 462 Nm at 3,000 rpm. In 1981, Alpina introduced the B7 S Turbo with 243 kW at 5,800 rpm and 500 Nm at 3,000 rpm. Only sixty B7 S Turbos were produced.[61]

7 Series based Alpinas

E32 B11

E32 B12

E38 B12

Based on the BMW 750i and 750iL, Alpina released the B12 5.7 in 1995 and the B12 6.0 in 1999. In contrast to the cars they are based on, these models are not electronically limited to a top speed of 250 km/h, but are able to reach top speeds of more than 280 km/h and 291 km/h, respectively. According to Alpina, the B12 5.7 was the world's first vehicle with an electrically heated metal catalyst as standard.[85] The B12 5.7 has a 5.7 litre V12 and the B12 6.0 has a 6.0 litre V12.

E65 B7

For the E65 7 Series generation, the Alpina B7 was widely credited with being able to hold its own against top performing offerings from Mercedes (including AMG

8 Series based Alpinas

E31 B12

B12 5.0

The B12 5.0 was built from 1990 to 1994 and is based on the BMW E31 850i. It is powered by an Alpina modified BMW M70 V12 (shared with the E32 B12 5.0) producing 257 kW and mated to an automatic transmission.

B12 5.7

The B12 5.7 was available from 1992 and is based on the 850CSi. It is powered by an increased displacement version of the BMW S70 V12 with a modified intake, crankshaft. camshafts and a stainless steel exhaust system as well as a six speed manual gearbox with an optional system called Shift-Tronic that automatically actuates the clutch when shifting and allows the vehicle to creep in traffic,[98] 32 B12 5.7s were equipped with Shift-Tronic.[99]

Alpina Roadster V8

With production of the BMW Z8 completed by November 2002, for 2003 the Z8 production was replaced by the Alpina Roadster V8. The Alpina was a departure from the hard-edged sporting focus of the original car, and elements of the new grand touring intent were evident throughout this final edition.

Instead of the original six-speed manual and 4.9 L (S62) engine featured in Z8's, the Alpina came only as an automatic, using a five-speed BMW Steptronic transmission mated to a 4.8 L Alpina-tuned V8 motor from the Alpina E39 B10 V8 S (Alpina F5). In order to complete the car's transition from sports car to Alpina, relaxed suspension tuning was used. The standard Z8's run-flat tires on 18 in wheels were discarded in favor of conventional tires with softer sidewalls, on 20 in wheels.

A new, softer grade of Nappa leather replaced the Z8's less supple specification, and special Alpina gauges were featured on the dash cluster. An Alpina steering wheel with three solid spokes replaced the original, which could not be retrofitted with shift paddles for the automatic. Gear selection was displayed in an Alpina-specific display mounted in front of the wheel.

Performance of the Alpina V8 differed from that of the standard car in that peak power was reduced to 381 PS while peak torque was raised to 520 Nm; this torque was available at significantly lower rpm than the original in order to enable more relaxed cruising. Curiously, the electronically limited top speed was officially raised to 260 km/h, rather than the 250 km/h that most cars are limited to.[101]

Gallery

External links

Official website
Alpina-Archive
Alpina Cars: Overview of all BMW–Alpina cars
The online owner community for BMW Alpinas
Information on Alpina typewriters

References

Bradford Elsinore. 2011 BMW 750Li Alpina B7 First Drive Inside Line, Insideline.com, 20 May 2010, retrieved 5 June 2012^
2011 BMW ALPINA B7 Autoblog.com, 22 August 2024^
Vijay Pattni. Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen has died aged 87

Alpina XD3

The Alpina XD3 made its debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The XD3 is fitted with an Alpina-modified version of BMW's B57 diesel inline-six engine. In the quad-turbo left-hand drive version, the engine outputs 388 PS and 770 Nm, giving a 0–100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 266 km/h. In the bi-turbocharged right-hand drive version, the engine outputs 333 PS and 700 Nm, giving it a 0–100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 254 km/h.

Alpina XD4

The Alpina XD4 debuted at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.[18] It is fitted with a modified version of the B57 diesel engine with four turbochargers,[19] and outputs 285 kW and 770 Nm.[20] The XD4 is the fastest accelerating diesel-powered production SUV, and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 268 kph.[21] It is available in left-hand drive markets only.[22]

Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo

The F30 Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo was in production since March 2013. It is based on the BMW F30 335i with a bi-turbocharged 3.0 litre six cylinder. The 301 kW engine with 600 Nm of torque accelerates the B3 from 0–100 km/h in 4.0 seconds. The top speed is 305 km/h. The B3 Biturbo is available as a sedan or touring, both can be combined with xDrive four-wheel drive.

Alpina modified the exterior with front and rear spoilers and a quad-exit exhaust system.

In March 2017, Alpina revised the engine of the B3. It now produces 324 kW.

A new model based on the G20 3 Series replaced the F30 model, it uses the S58 3.0 litre bi-turbo inline six engine producing 340 kW and 700 Nm of torque, which is 150 Nm more than the BMW M3, and 50 Nm more than the BMW M3 Competition.

Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo

The Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo was presented at IAA 2013. It is based on the BMW F30. It is available as a Saloon or Touring version with a 3.0-litre straight-six, bi-turbocharged diesel engine with 257 kW of Power and 700 Nm of torque. The Touring is also available with all-wheel drive, based on BMW xDrive.[23]

Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo

Launched in 2014, the B4 is based on the 435i. The N55 straight-six engine is modified by using twin-turbochargers, a sixty-one percent larger intercooler and a new crankshaft. The engine also utilises new pistons, all of these modifications allow the engine to generate 408 PS between 5,550 and 6,250 RPM and 443 lbft between 3,000 and 4,000 RPM.

Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

The Alpina B5 was introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in all-wheel drive Saloon or Touring versions.[24] The B5 features a 4.4-litre N63M30 V8 engine[25] that generates a maximum power output of 447 kW and 800 Nm of torque.[26] Based on the N63B44O2 V8, it has uprated pistons,[27] new twin-scroll Garrett turbochargers[28] and new spark plugs by NGK. The B5 can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 330 km/h for the Saloon, and 202 mph for the Touring, making it the fastest production estate car in production at that time.[29]

Alpina D5 S

The Alpina D5 S debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show[30] in all-wheel drive only sedan and Touring variants. The D5 S uses a modified 3.0-liter B57D30 diesel inline-six engine. The engine has three turbochargers and produces 285 kW and 800 Nm of torque in left-hand drive markets, whereas it has two turbochargers and produces 240 kW and 700 Nm of torque in right-hand drive markets.[31] The left-hand drive D5 S saloon has a top speed of 286 km/h and a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 4.4 seconds.[32] Alpina claims it is the fastest diesel-powered production car in the world.[33] The right-hand drive, saloon-only version has a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 275 km/h.[34]

Alpina B6 Gran Coupé

The Alpina B6 Gran Coupé xDrive was launched in 2014. This model is conceived by Alpina and based on the 650i. This model is sold by BMW only in the United States and in Canada (but Alpina also independently offers it in other countries). The Alpina B6 Gran Coupé 2015 model shares the 540 hp, 730 Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 of the Alpina B5 BiTurbo and B6 BiTurbo coupé which are not sold in North America. The 2016-2019 model produces 600 hp and 590 lbft of torque. Specification includes a more luxurious interior, 20-inch Alpina light-alloy wheels, aerodynamic elements and exclusive Alpina trims and paints. The Alpina B6 can go from 0–100 km/h in 3.9 (3.8 for the 2016-2019 model) seconds and has a top speed of 318 km/h. (324 km/h or 202 mph for the 2016-2019 model)[35]

Alpina B7

The Alpina B7 is one of the two Alpina cars offered in the US and Canada, the other one being the Alpina B6.[36] The B7 is produced at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, along with BMW's own 7 Series. It can be equipped identically to a normal M760Li. However, an exclusive Alpina Green finish is available.[37]

BMW permitted Alpina to produce a high-performance version of its flagship 7 Series, however they did not want it to be a high-revving, BMW M version (which would have been known as a "BMW M7" under the current nomenclature). It has also been suggested that there was no market for an M7 that would have featured the BMW M's trademark high-rev engine and twin-clutch automated manual transmission, and most customers who desired a performance option in the 7 Series would have gone for the V12-engined BMW 760Li.[38]

Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and Audi S8.[39]

Alpina C2

An interesting variant of the M20 engine was Alpina's C2. The first C2 combined the wider bore of the M20B25 with the slightly larger 76.8 mm crankshaft of an M20B23, to create a torquier engine of 2552 cc. This version put out 185 PS and 265 Nm, 74 units were built between 1985 and November 1986.[49][50] After the C2 2.7 appeared in the spring of 1986, the 2.5 was slightly upgraded and gained 5 horsepower. However, to indicate its "little brother" position in the lineup, the name was changed to C1 2.5. When the September 1987 facelift model of the E30 was introduced, the 2.5 litre C1 was discontinued, although a few cars were finished into 1988. The larger yet 2.7 litre unit was introduced in February 1986 in uncatalyzed C2/1 form.[50] This engine, sharing the dimensions of the M20B27, develops 210 PS at 5800 rpm and shows what the engine was really capable of.[51] Originally installed in the E30-based Alpina C2 2.7, with available four-wheel drive, the catalyzed C2/2 appeared in the interim C2 2.7 Kat in March 1987. This was then renamed "B3 2.7" five months later, by which time the "C2" labelled cars were discontinued. The B3 2.7 continued to be available until June 1992, in all body variants and drivetrain configurations (excepting automatics) in which the E30 was offered.[50] Around 1986, 67 "B6 2.7"-labelled C2-engined E30s were built for export to Japan, where the larger 3.0 L B6 3.5 had a hard time passing emissions regulations. Aside from the C2 drivetrain, the B6 2.7 is cosmetically identical to the B6 3.5.[52]

Later C2 2.5 models (C2 /3 2.5) were based on the 325i. Alpina used the M20B25 engine with very few modifications compared to earlier models. Again the cylinder head was decked to increase compression ratio, and it was ported and polished. The ECU was also remapped. Max power is 140 kW, with 235 Nm of torque. 0–100 km/h was achieved in 7.2 seconds. Top speed is 220 km/h. Only 50 cars were built.

The C2 /1 2.7 used the 325e eta model engine block, crank and rods, but with custom flat head pistons provided by Mahle. Originally Alpina modified the "200" casting number cylinder head specific to the 325e with bigger intake valves, larger air intake ports, and redesigned the valve chamber for better flow. A more aggressive camshaft was used, with higher lift and duration, and harder valve springs were installed. Compression ratio was increased to 10.2:1. The C2/1 2.7 made 210 bhp with 267 Nm of torque and was the fastest E30 available at the time (227 km/h top speed). 108 cars were built.

Later C2 /2 2.7 (and early 1987 B3 2.7) used the M20B25 block with ETA (325e) crank and rods. The intake manifold was also redesigned for better flow. The head was decked to improve compression ratio (10.1:1 for models with the 731 head, 9.6:1 for later "885" head models with catalytic converter) and matched with custom pistons - flat Mahle pistons for engines equipped with the 731 head, and domed KS pistons for engines equipped with the 885 head. Larger throttle bodies were installed (the C2/2 version uses the same throttle body as the M20B25 325i). A total of 309 cars were built between 1986 and 1987. The C2/2 2.7 makes 204 bhp and 266 Nm of torque. Top speed is 224 km/h and 0–100 km/h is achieved in 7.5 seconds.

The B3 2.7 is similar to late C2/2 2.7 cars. It uses the M20B25 block with M20B27 crank and custom rods. The 885 head is exclusively used for the B3 model. The head is decked ~ 1 mm to improve CR to 9.6:1 and matched with custom domed KS or Mahle pistons. Intake and cylinder head are ported and polished. Custom ECU mapping is used. Engine management is Bosch Motronic 1.3. The B3 2.7 is equipped with a catalytic converter to conform to emission standard of the time. Performance numbers are similar to the later C2/2 2.7 cars. 254 cars were built from 1987 to 1992.

F01/F02 B7

The F01 B7 will be offered again for the 2011 model year in the US, with approximately 500 vehicles (half of the annual production of the B7) with a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and/or a standard or long wheelbase (the B7, B7 L (long wheelbase), B7 xDrive (all-wheel drive), and B7 L xDrive), otherwise all configurations have the same equipment.[93][94] Roughly 80 models will be sold in Canada, all of the xDrive variety due to that country's winter weather.[38]

The B7's twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.[1][2] It is based upon BMW's N63 twin-turbo V8 but produces considerable more torque and horsepower, albeit with some turbo lag due to the larger turbos, yet more measured throttle mapping makes the B7 smoother than a stock BMW 750i.[95] The 2011 Alpina B7, with its twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, is less expensive and yet faster than its F01 stablemate, the 2010 BMW 760Li powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The B7's engine, derived from the BMW N63 that is found in the standard BMW lineup, matches the BMW 750i in fuel economy despite increased performance, plus its lighter weight than the 760Li's V12 engine gives the B7 considerably better weight distribution and handling than the 760Li.[1][2]

While BMW uses run-flat tires for its 7 Series, the B7 comes with non-reinforced tires with a tire repair kit for emergencies. By using conventional, softer-sidewalled tires, compared to the reinforced sidewalls of run-flats, Alpina engineers were able to stiffen the B7's suspension for better handling and still improve the ride quality over that of a stock BMW 750i.[38]

For the 2013 model year, the Alpina B7 received similar updates to the rest of the 7 Series lineup, including an 8-speed automatic transmission, while its engine adds Valvetronic and now produces 540 hp and 538 lbft, which is good for a 0–100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h. Compared to BMW M's version of the 4.4L twin-turbo engine (such as found in the F10 M5), Alpina's engine has 20 hp less but more maximum torque which is also available at a lower rpm.[38]

In a comparison of the 2013 BMW 7 series and the Alpina B7, Motor Trend stated the B7 handled better than the BMW 760iL, but not as well as the 750iL.[96]

location
predecessor	Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen
former name	Alpina (1965–2025)
type	Brand
foundation	1965 (as a company) 2026 (as a brand)
founder	Burkard Bovensiepen

History

Brand distinctions

Current lineup

Previous models

Petrol-engine

Diesel-engine

3 Series based Alpinas

Alpina C1

5 Series based Alpinas

E12 B2

E12 B7 Turbo / B7 S Turbo

7 Series based Alpinas

E32 B11

E32 B12

E38 B12

E65 B7

8 Series based Alpinas

E31 B12

B12 5.0

B12 5.7

Alpina Roadster V8

Gallery

See also

External links

References

Alpina XD3

Alpina XD4

Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo

Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo

Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo

Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo

Alpina D5 S

Alpina B6 Gran Coupé

Alpina B7

Alpina C2

Alpina B6

Alpina B3 GT3

E28 B9

Changes

Technical specifications

Changes

Technical specifications

E28 B10

Technical specifications

Technical specifications

E34 B10

B10 3.5

B10 4.0

B10 3.0 Allrad

B10 4.6

Technical specifications

B10 3.5

B10 4.0

B10 3.0 Allrad

B10 4.6

Technical specifications

E34 B10 BiTurbo

E39 B10

Engines

Suspension

Technical data

Engines

Suspension

Technical data

E60 B5

Drivetrain

Technical data

Note

Drivetrain

Technical data

Note

Alpina B5 S

Engine

Transmission

Chassis

Technical data

Engine

Transmission

Chassis

Technical data