- BMW has revealed the first standalone concept for the Alpina brand - the V8-powered Vision BMW Alpina coupe.
- BMW bought Alpina in 2022 before fully absorbing the carmaker late last year.
- Alpina was formed in 1965 and became a well-established BMW tuner in the 1970s.
BMW has revealed the Vision BMW Alpina at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, marking the iconic German tuning brand’s first major concept since becoming a fully integrated part of the BMW Group.
The company says the concept car previews the future design direction for the brand, which now operates as an exclusive standalone entity intended to fill the gap between high-end BMWs and Rolls-Royce models within the BMW group's portfolio.
Clearly inspired by the legendary BMW E24 6 Series-based Alpina B7 Turbo coupe from 1978, the Vision BMW Alpina concept is a large four-seat coupe that measuring 5200mm in length that is powered by a V8 engine. While we know little else about the powertrain, it would most likely be a development of the heavily Alpina-fettled BMW 4.4-litre V8 the company has used for some time now.
BMW Alpina boss Oliver Viellechner recently told TopGear.com that under the BMW umbrella, Alpina would initially stand for pure eight-cylinder power, saying “a combustion engine and also a V8 is a core pillar of our offering - a pure V8 without a plug."
The concept also incorporates several traditional Alpina design hallmarks, including 20-spoke alloy wheels - a design used by the brand since 1971 - four elliptical exhaust tips, and Alpina's iconic "deco-line" pinstriping that has been a feature on its cars since 1974.
The interior features materials sourced from the Bavarian Alpine region, such as full-grain leather and blue and green stitching that is inspired by the external deco lines. The vehicle also features a digital interface tailored specifically for the brand - including an Alpine landscape background image that is an exact rendering of the mountain range visible when looking south from Buchloe.
Echoing Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen's ethos that a comfortable driver is a faster driver, the vision BMW Alpina also includes a bespoke "Comfort+" setting designed for a more refined ride character compared to standard BMW calibrations.
Alpina was originally established on January 1, 1965, by Burkard Bovensiepen in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria. The company’s roots trace back to 1962, when Bovensiepen developed a dual carburettor for the BMW 1500, a product eventually certified by BMW with a full factory guarantee.
Between 1968 and 1977, Alpina saw significant success in international racing, winning the European Touring Car Championship and the Spa 24 Hours. However, the firm withdrew from racing in 1988 to focus on the production of BMW-based vehicles.
Since 1983, the German Federal Ministry of Transport has recognised Alpina as an independent automobile manufacturer rather than an aftermarket tuner, a status that allowed the company to register vehicles under its own name, despite using BMW bodies and engines as a foundation.
The relationship between the two companies moved toward full integration in recent years. BMW announced its intention to acquire the Alpina brand on March 10, 2022, and officially confirmed the acquisition that same day.
In 2025, the company was officially renamed BMW Alpina, and by 2026, the brand was formally launched as an exclusive standalone brand under the BMW Group umbrella, positioned to fill a gap between high-end BMW models and Rolls-Royce. The first production model under this new organisational structure, inspired by the BMW 7 Series, is expected to be available next year.
