Distribute Your News Directly to Readers and Internet Search Widespread Integration into Global News Publications Industry Specific to Reporters and Trade Publications Delivered Over News Wires Geographic & Topic Specific Lead-based paints were banned for residential use in Puerto Rico and across the rest of the United States in 1978 many homes built before then still have some lead-based paint in them Most people don�t recognize that they come in proximity to products and materials that may contain mercury on a regular basis and that it only takes a small amount to pose a serious health risk Commercial banks in Africa and Latin America trail Asian counterparts in addressing critical environmental and social risks � particularly climate change and nature loss � but can lead green growth and transition according to new WWF Sustainable Banking Assessment (SUSBA) reports Nature as an Economic Choice | Full session Championing Nature as an Economic Choice On April 24 Head of Sustainable Sourcing and Nature Initiatives at Kering took the stage to explore the theme "Nature as an Economic Choice." The panel addressed the urgent need to transform ecosystems from intangible treasures into measurable assets � Alstom�s Iconis Traffic Management System dramatically improves the way KiwiRail operates its network � With this deployment KiwiRail�s Wellington Control Centre will operate a state-of-the-art rail network control system enhanced controls for capacity and real time monitoring improving train scheduling and passenger experience�� � The … a global leader in satellite communications today announced the introduction of the Move Out/Jump Off (MOJO) Mini Next the latest in Viasat�s family of expeditionary tactical gateways combined with the urgent need to finance the green and digital transitions in Europe makes it increasingly necessary to unlock the full potential of the EU�s currently fragmented capital markets To address rising costs caused by recent global trade developments affecting raw material tariffs,� Sun Chemical �will implement a tariff surcharge on impacted color materials products both imported and produced in the United States Acclaimed Film Enters Top Box Office Charts Around The World Tickets On Sale� Here A week after the acclaimed cinematic return of� Pink Floyd at Pompeii � MCMLXXII the newly restored version of the groundbreaking 1972 film directed by Adrian Maben and distributed by Sony Music Vision the accompanying live album has been released As Europe gears up for the� Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Spotify is celebrating the spirit of unity and musical legacy with a new series of Spotify Singles The XB7 rides on 23-inch wheels with low-profile tires.Matt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail most of which are sadly of little use to the average reader because those cameras on the highway will get you I’ve also learned that a car’s glovebox is often a good barometer of a car’s interior quality; that most touchscreen infotainment systems are diabolically non-intuitive at first so give them time; and that I should never ever make the mistake of thinking I’m a racecar driver when driving on a racetrack I’ve also learned that Alpina makes excellent cars is not especially useful information since most of Alpina’s cars are not available in Canada The only model currently on sale here – the refreshed BMW Alpina XB7 SUV – starts at a prohibitive $175,000 and is arguably not really a true Alpina or at least the Alpina gearheads know and love – a boutique low-volume German automaker that tailors BMWs into something better – will soon cease to exist BMW announced it would purchase the rights to the Alpina brand in 2022 The existing deal between the two companies BMW’s official plans for the Alpina brand have yet to be divulged BMW warned that its purchase of the Alpina brand would have “implications” for existing jobs at Alpina’s factory and headquarters in Buchloe BMW will work with Alpina to offer those employees who will not be able to continue working at the Buchloe site a new position with the BMW Group and also help them find new jobs with suppliers and development partners,” the company announced The Alpina E30 3 Series.Courtesy of manufacturer it seems production at Alpina’s factory in Buchloe – which only churns out roughly 2,000 cars annually – might be wound down or scaled back as Alpina is integrated more tightly into the BMW empire Ferrari has more than 5,000 employees and sold more than 13,000 cars last year.) The last time I visited the Buchloe factory it felt like a throwback to a time when cars were made not by corporate committees but by a handful of devoted people with a clear vision The machine shop was full of hand-operated tools There were fresh metal shavings on the floor There was a room still dedicated to making fibreglass body kits for vintage Alpinas In the leather shop was the softest cowhide I’d ever touched Each hand-stitched steering wheel took one person approximately six hours to make Founded in 1965 by Burkard Bovensiepen – who passed away in 2023 – Alpina began as a tuner selling a power-boosting dual-Weber carburetor kit for the BMW 1500 the German authorities recognized Alpina as a car manufacturer in its own right The firm took standard BMWs and reworked the engines with upgraded components covered the interiors in higher-quality leather only the XB7′s steering wheel is covered in Alpina’s soft Lavalina leather.Matt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail Where BMW’s M cars are for wannabe racecar drivers and amateur drifters Alpinas are for snobs – for people who feel a BMW is too pedestrian – and who want a fast and comfortable car for the road Alpina reworks the suspension and ditches the uncomfortable and puncture prone run-flat tires so its cars always ride over bad roads better than their BMW equivalents despite Alpina’s huge wheels and low-profile tires It would be nice to see Alpina go out on a high note But the brand’s only car available in Canada is the BMW Alpina XB7 and it’s Alpina-light not the full-fat Alpina sedans and SUVs still available in Europe only the XB7′s steering wheel is covered in Alpina’s soft Lavalina leather The big SUV is put together not in Buchloe it still carries a full-fat Alpina price tag: $195,500 (as tested) before fees and the luxury tax Sharing the redesigned face of the latest BMW X7 the XB7 is inevitably an awkward-looking thing despite the handsome Alpina bodykit 23-inch wheels and $5,000 metallic green paintwork Alpina-specific dampers do improve the ride comfort but Alpina’s tweaks to the V8 engine (upping output to 631 horsepower from 523 in the X7 M60) feel like overkill on a big SUV like this the refreshed Alpina XB7 is likely a taste of what’s to come from Alpina under BMW ownership upping output to 631 horsepower from 523 in the X7 M60 feel like overkill in an SUV.Matt Bubbers/The Globe and Mail A report from Car and Driver magazine stated BMW intends to use Alpina to grab a slice of the ultraluxury market Rolls-Royce and Porsche Panamera territory The report states the next Alpina B7 full-size sedan could replace the entry-level Rolls-Royce Ghost Alpina will be to BMW what Maybach is to Mercedes-Benz the Buchloe brand would lose its singular vision and wide-ranging product portfolio If Alpina focuses strictly on the more profitable high-end luxury market enthusiasts would have to say goodbye to the Alpina B3 (3 Series) and B5 (5 Series) available in Europe – along with any hope they might ever become available in Canada with global sales led by high-end SUVs and sedans up by 19 per cent in 2023 compared with the previous year pushing Alpina in the same direction appears to be a savvy business move it’d be a sad day for old-school Alpina fans and anybody who appreciates beautifully crafted cars That brings me to another lesson I’ve learned driving so many different cars: There’s less and less room in the automotive business for anything special Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Matt Bubbers is a car critic and columnist for The Globe and Mail’s Drive section He also writes for Sharp magazine and has contributed stories about cars culture and the future of transportation to a variety of publications in Canada and the U.S he studied history and journalism at Dalhousie University and worked as a reporter covering local motorsport for the Chronicle Herald newspaper in Halifax he has driven just about every car there is frozen lakes and sand dunes all over the world His story about tracing the route of the Targa Florio through Sicily was nominated for a National Magazine Award in 2013 He currently writes and produces videos about the slow extinction of the gasoline automobile and the ascendancy of alternative forms of personal transportation may one day learn to write and put him out of a job Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. 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For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions Those who own one of the 555 BMW Alpina V8s can consider themselves lucky Collectors are willing to pay several hundred thousand euros for the Buchloe version of the roadster We took this automotive gem for a spin in Tuscany What could a small Bavarian town offer that would be of interest across the Atlantic Anyone familiar with the cars from Munich knows the answer: BMW vehicles refined by the local tuner The initially underrated roadster is already a rarity intended for the North American market under the name BMW Alpina Roadster V8 Anyone who manages to acquire one today must be ready to pay several hundred thousand euros As is often the case in life: there are exceptions to the rule Alpina was allowed to produce 105 vehicles for the EU market The informal approach at the time is evident from the fact that the BMW chassis number intended for the US models was simply crossed out and replaced with Alpina’s own VIN The Alpina strategists knew that they needed to differentiate from the BMW original and emphasize the cruiser character this means a V8 engine (code Alpina F5) with 4,837 instead of BMW’s 4,941 cubic centimetres of displacement slightly less power at 280 kW / 381 PS instead of 294 kW / 400 PS The whole setup is combined with a five-speed automatic instead of a six-speed manual gearbox you can manually select individual gears with a plus and minus button on the steering wheel The performance figures are still impressive the Alpina reaches the 100 km/h mark in 5.3 seconds it’s California Dreamin’ instead of Bavarian Alpine passes and repeated full-throttle attacks The comfortably tuned suspension fits this as well This doesn’t mean the Alpina V8 is a soft American car Quite the opposite: you can let the roadster really fly Our model is equipped with the Performance Package as seen in the strut bar running across the engine bay The reason for this retrofit is the aluminium space frame of the handsome Munich roadster which saves weight but proved too “soft” when driving over potholes or curbs especially when fitted with run-flat tyres that have stiffer sidewalls and don’t absorb kinetic energy as well as conventional tyres the American Z8 handles quite swiftly even in the picturesque Tuscan landscape We let it fly and enjoy the smoky sound of the eight cylinders under the hood through sleepy little villages where people sit on small chairs in the shade watching the traffic pass by or in one of the many street cafes enjoying an espresso the highway 101 leads us through northern Italy where cypress trees line the road instead of Pacific waves The strategy of the Buchloe-based tuner pays off The Alpina V8 is no less fun than its Munich brother with the Z in its name On the contrary: the more comfortably tuned suspension proves to be a good choice on northern Italian roads the Buchloe-based Alpina doesn’t hide its genes Even the instruments offset to the right and the hard plastic extravaganza of the dashboard are part of the Alpina V8 experience but you can overlook that in a vehicle like this There is one small detail in the cockpit worth noting: where BMW leaves nothing behind the steering wheel Alpina has installed a small hood that shows the automatic settings even 24 or 22 years (the Alpina V8 debuted in 2002) after its launch as evidenced by the smiling faces of fashion-conscious Italians on their scooters swarming around the two-seater like moths to a flame and website in this browser for the next time I comment tailoring and racing firm Alpina has been acquired by BMW after almost 60 years of collaboration Alpina was recognised as an independent manufacturer by the German Federal Ministry of Transport in 1983 but BMW has honoured the factory warranty on Alpina-built models as far back as 1965 and it will be business as usual until the end of 2025 After that date Alpinas will likely no longer be assembled at the company’s Buchloe workshops the powerful and luxurious Alpina-badged cars will be built alongside standard BMW and M cars BMW’s member of the Board of Management responsible for Customer the Buchloe firm has demon­strated how to deliver top-quality car cachet through meticulous attention to detail The BMW Group is also driven by this same passion for cars that capture the imagination “That is why we are now embarking on a new chapter in our long-standing partnership Acquiring the trademark rights will allow us to shape the long-term course of this brand steeped in tradition We are delighted to welcome the Alpina brand to the BMW family.” It’s all down to electrification and emissions Such is the dramatic change in the motor industry that small players like Alpina would seriously struggle to fund the technology and expertise required to build cars for the next decade and beyond BMW’s move protects a much-loved brand and means it can diversify its own product range to include a desirable sporty line-up that sits between standard models and the all-out M cars Oh, and the wine brand That will remain in Bovensiepen family hands… Alpina amps up BMW 8-Series Gran Coupé10 cars dressed to impress with cool graphicsLong fallen quiet, BMW’s original Munich factory still houses legends Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" 5 Series Home » 20 years of the BMW E39 ALPINA B10 V8: Anniversary in Buchloe Until the surprising appearance of the BMW E39 M5 at the 1997 Frankfurt Auto Show the top model of the 5 Series family was the BMW E39 ALPINA B10 V8 the strong and unobtrusive sedan from Buchloe turns 20 years Their series production began in January 1997 and was continued with a total of two model revisions until 2002 including an enlarged 4.8 liters displacement The BMW 540i was produced with Steptronic and ALPINA-specific preparations at the plant Dingolfing and later the vehicles came to Buchloe to get there the transformation to the B10 V8 The vehicle was fundamentally modified and a new car was created in many respects At the core is the drive: the BMW M62 engine received a stroke elevation increase to 4,619 ccm by adapting the bore (93 mm) and stroke (85 mm) ducts are machined and the inlet cross-section is increased by three percent as is the case with sports engine construction The camshafts have an opening angle of 241 degrees at the inlet and 236 degrees at the outlet weight-optimized sintered connecting rods and light aluminum pistons from Mahle are used The engine control unit comes from Bosch and is of the Motronic M5.2.1 type The maximum engine speed can be increased by the hardware to 6,700 rpm The effectively reduced emissions are dissipated via the two-burner exhaust system from Boysen with a total of six metal catalysts from Emitec The BMW ALPINA B10 V8 was below the EU II standard at the time and even maintained the D3 standard This gave the vehicle registration tax benefits The effort culminates in 340 hp at 5,700 rpm and 470 Nm at 3,800 rpm The average piston speed is 16.2 m/s and the effective average pressure which defines the efficiency of an internal combustion engine is 12.8 bar – an excellent value even in the competition field was only available with an automatic transmission The ZF five-speed automatic transmission 5HP24 features newly programmed shift programs and the SwitchTronic circuit This means that the inserted drive stages can be changed via buttons on the rear of the steering wheel The braking system and the aluminum gear were also modified The spring hardness was increased by 20 percent The lowering of 20 millimeters was moderate A specialty of ALPINA are the large light-alloy wheels with 20 inch spokes On the front axle are 8 inch wide rims in 18 inch format A special highlight of these wheels were the invisible valves for adjusting the tire pressure which are hidden behind the lockable wheel cover ALPINA traditionally uses Michelin tires on its models the Pilot SX MXX3 tires with the dimensions 235/40 R 18 and 265/35 R 18 was wrapping the wheels the future B10 V8 driver could also order a set of ALPINA rims for 1,500 Deutsch Marks in which the wheel spiders and the rims themselves are connected with 20 titanium screws another distinctive feature of the 5 Series by ALPINA is the subtle front spoiler the B10 V8 sedan also has a rear wing mounted which reduces the lift at 180 km/h by 72 percent shorter transmission ratio (3.15: 1) and a lower vehicle weight of 1,660 kilograms –  according to the DIN standard – allow impressive driving performance The BMW ALPINA B10 V8 of the first series with a top speed of 277 km/h The acceleration from the stand to 100 km/h pace is done in 5.9 seconds The standard equipment of the BMW ALPINA B10 was tidy sports seats with dark anthracite colored fabric cover and blue-green stripes the silvered ALPINA type plate with serial number on board were just some of the features available to customers special lacquering in ALPINA Blau Metallic or one of the possible leather equipment like Montana Lavalina or Alcantara were always an extra cost ALPINA received 490 orders for the limousine and 82 for the touring With the use of the engine base M62TU (variable camshaft control VANOS) the engine output of the F4 engine increased by 7 hp and the torque by 10 Nm The differential also received an adjustment to 3.08: 1 The top speed improved slightly to 279 km/h On the outside the revised 5 Series can be recognized by slightly altered exterior mirrors a total of 364 limousines and 122 Touring were built In September 2000 there was a further update to the B10 V8 due to the adaptation of the exhaust gas standard to the EU III standard The engine power of the F4 remained unchanged but the acceleration performance improved to 5.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h From the third variant until the beginning of 2002 B10 V8S F5 engine made 375 hp and 510 Nm of torque [Source: Bimmertoday] More from 5 Series 2025 BMWBLOG | Change consent Which means one of the coolest tuners on Planet Earth will officially become part of BMW Alpina and BMW have worked closely together for over half a century and Alpina models are currently pre-assembled on BMW production lines before being sent to the tuner's Buchloe workshops for engine This process will continue until 31 December 2025 (both BMW and Alpina extended their cooperation agreement late in 2020) the current Alpina line-up will be discontinued and a new strategy mapped out hand-in-hand with the BMW mothership “We recognised the challenges facing the automotive industry early on and are now setting the right course for Alpina and for our family firm,” explains Alpina co-director Andreas Bovensiepen “This marks the beginning of a new chapter Both the Alpina brand and our company are extremely desirable “We made a conscious decision not to sell Alpina to just any manufacturer because BMW and Alpina have worked together and trusted one another for decades That is why it is the right decision strategically for the Alpina brand to be managed by the BMW Group in the future,” he added Alpina B8 Gran Coupe review: a 613bhp four-door movie Alpina D3 S Touring review: a rare, fast family wagon Alpina’s Buchloe site will still offer servicing parts and accessories support for existing and legacy cars and there won’t be any disruption to the existing aftersales cooperation and BMW has committed to offering Alpina employees no longer able to work at Buchloe new roles within the Group or help them find jobs with suppliers and development partners “BMW and Alpina are a perfect fit,” said senior BMW VP Jens Thiemer “The Alpina brand has matured alongside BMW over the past 50 years and has everything it takes to make the heart of an automotive connoisseur beat faster all over the world It finds the right balance between cultivated sportiness Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter Look out for your regular round-up of news He’s not wrong about that last point: the F30/F31 generation of Alpina D3 sold just 373 cars in the UK and in 2021, Alpina sold around 2,000 cars globally. You’re more likely to see a Lamborghini than one of these… one of the reasons why they’re such fan favourites Alpina’s success story would not have been possible,” co-director Florian Bovensiepen (Andreas’s brother) said “We are relying on the strength of our company and our families to pivot at the right time.” what do you reckon Alpina will look like post-2025 Here are some glorious pictures of classic Alpina models No money from the licence fee was used to create this website The profits we make from it go back to BBC programme-makers to help fund great new BBC programmes BBC is a trademark of the British Broadcasting Corporation BMW has bought out Alpina opening a new chapter on a relationship that stretches back over 50 years. The companies have struck a deal that means BMW will assume total control after December 31 when the current five year co-operation agreement expires Beyond that point, Alpina’s Buchloe facility will continue to operate its sales but the car production side of the business will move to one of BMW’s plants BMW already part assembles Alpina cars before sending them to Buchloe for final assembly Burkhard Bovensiepen founded Alpina in 1965 and built up a reputation for making BMWs go faster and handle better Alpina cars scored big in motorsport and in 1983 the company was recognized as a manufacturer in its own right BMW and Alpina have worked increasingly closely with the Buchloe brand distinguishing itself from BMW’s M Division by focusing less on outright performance and more on a blend of performance and luxury Related: Alpina’s Facelifted B3 Touring Will Be Like The M3 But Without The Ugly Grille “We recognised the challenges facing the automotive industry early on and are now setting the right course for ALPINA and for our family firm Bovensiepen,” said Andreas Bovensiepen co-managing director of ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co Neither company has released many financial information related to the sale As part of strategic cooperation between the two companies, there will be a further expansion of BMW’s existing development services business out of Buchloe. Recently the BMW Group has announced that it will secure the rights to the Alpina brand, bringing even greater diversity to its luxury-car range.  Over half a century, BMW and the small-series manufacturer Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen have forged close cooperation built on the highest level of trust. The German vehicle manufacturer based in Buchloe was active in BMW tuning and motorsports and began manufacturing passenger cars based on BMW AG products in 1978.  Now, the journey of these companies enters a new chapter as both the firms share the same passion for cars that capture the imagination. Alpina has been creating exclusive automobiles for a small circle of connoisseurs who have a sense for the special and love pleasure. Probably these can be attributed as the world’s most renowned individual automobiles based on BMW, which have been developed and produced in a small, independent family business in friendly cooperation for over five decades. And that has always been done with great attention to detail. Now, both the companies have reached an agreement to this effect; however, the conclusion of the transaction is still subject to various suspensive conditions – in particular, approval by the responsible antitrust authorities.  The long-standing cooperation agreement, which was extended for another five years in late 2020, will expire on December 31, 2025. Both firms have agreed not to disclose any financial details. In addition, no shares in the company will be acquired. The transformation towards electromobility and increasing regulation worldwide – especially emissions legislation, software validation and requirements for driver assistance and monitoring systems – result in significantly higher risks for small-series manufacturers. The management of Alpina is addressing this with a strategic realignment that will secure the long-term viability of its operations. According to Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales, BMW Group, the automotive industry faces a far-reaching transformation towards sustainable mobility. For that reason, existing business models need to be re-examined regularly. That is why BMW is now embarking on a new chapter in its long-standing partnership. Acquiring the trademark rights will allow it to shape the long-term course of this brand steeped in tradition. Smart Thinking, Splendid Offerings   Accordingly, the service, parts and accessories business for the existing and legacy BMW Alpina vehicle portfolio will continue at the Buchloe location in the long term. Furthermore, there will be no changes to the existing aftersales cooperation.  As part of this strategic cooperation, there will certainly be a further expansion of BMW’s existing development services business out of Buchloe. However, the wine business that also forms part of the family firm will be unaffected. Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and Brand BMW, says it is a perfect fit for both brands as Alpina has matured alongside BMW over the past five decades and has everything it takes to make the heart of an automotive connoisseur beat faster all over the world. It finds the right balance between cultivated sportiness, luxury, and exclusivity. “We are delighted to acquire the trademark rights to Alpina and add new vehicle capturing DNA to the BMW portfolio,” he adds. Co-managing Director Florian Bovensiepen says that without its creative, highly capable, and loyal employees, Alpina’s success story would not have been possible. We are relying on the strength of our company, our team, and our families to pivot at the right time. At the same time, we acknowledge, with the BMW Group, our social responsibility towards our workforce and will do our best to cushion the potential impact resulting from this reorganisation.” Hindustan Zinc Moves In Zinc Battery Research To Challenge Lithium Dominance Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Hands Reins To Local Leaders In Strategic Shift Evera Steps In As BluSmart Exits, Acquires Cabs To Expand Airport EV Operations MG Windsor PRO Set To Launch With Level 2 ADAS Jeep India Launches Wrangler Willys '41 Edition With Exclusive Heritage Styling Andreas Bovensiepen’s early memories are inseparable from Alpina His father Burkard founded the business as a BMW tuner in the mid-1960s – hence the twin carbs and crankshaft on its logo – but by the early 1970s of Andreas’ childhood Alpina was a force to be reckoned with in the European Touring Championship Drivers including Derek Bell, Niki Lauda, and Günther Huber helped it win European Touring Car Championship titles in 1970, 1973, and 1977, first in the BMW 2002 and 2800 CS, later the famous 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ (a homologation car developed by BMW’s nascent M Division to Alpina’s own requirements) Work rarely ceased in the workshops located just a stone’s throw from the family home “I remember like it was yesterday,” says Andreas who’s spent much of his working life at Alpina but initially worked in BMW’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) after graduating in business management “The race cars were prepared only 200 metres away from where we lived in Buchloe so even at night you could hear an engine running on the dyno or when a fresh engine was installed in the race car and started for the first time.” Since Burkard stepped back from the day-to-day running of Alpina, his sons Andreas and Florian have taken the reins. In 2022 the brothers made an announcement that was both agonising and relatively straightforward – Alpina was selling its naming rights to BMW. More on that shortly as the Bovensiepens develop their wholly owned Alpina Classic subsidiary There is no shortage of inspiration in their back catalogue Alpina stepped back from motorsport to concentrate on its own BMW-based models three of which were initially introduced from late 1978 with a focus on the torque-rich performance and grand-touring luxury that still defines Buchloe BMWs The B6 2.8 came first, an E21-based 3-Series fitted with a six-cylinder engine The 5-Series–based B7 Turbo was the fastest saloon in the world courtesy of a 300bhp forced-induction straight six The B7 Turbo Coupe applied the same template to the 6-Series and by 1983 it was accredited as manufacturer in its own right by the German transport authority if always with a BMW base car as the main ingredient approximately 60,000 Alpinas have left Buchloe Given around 2200 models are produced annually and demand is higher than ever (in 2022 that equated to roughly 750 units each for the US and Germany selling off the rights must’ve been an impossibly tough decision for the family so it was a really difficult decision,” admits Andreas “But now as the industry is forced to turn to electric mobility and supervisory assistance systems will make it much more complex and costly in future for development and homologation especially for small manufacturers.” The final built-in-Buchloe Alpina will be produced at the end of December 2025 after which BMW takes manufacturing in-house It’s too early to confirm which model will sign off the Bovensiepen era it will most likely remain in Alpina’s own collection but a predictable surge of interest has ensued among dedicated clientele “Customers want to secure a BMW Alpina equipped with a nice V8 or six-cylinder inline engine while these drivetrains are still available,” Andreas says “There are some similarities to the Swiss watch industry and mechanical watches – there’s hardly any interest for hybrid or electric drivetrains among our clients at the moment.” Alpina’s future does not hinge entirely on its heritage Over the last decade it has built up an engineering consultancy with specialist subjects including suspension The firm also has mysterious ‘further plans for the automotive sector’ potentially with a move further upmarket under a different brand But for anyone who’s lusted after Alpina’s trademark ‘Deco-Set’ graphics Classic accessories and spare parts will form one logical sideline and Alpina has already re-released classic alloys for the E30 3-Series as well as Garrett turbochargers for the E34 Alpina B10 Biturbo But a focus on restoration will have a more profound impact on how the business is run and organised Alpinas are built on the BMW production line using a kit of Alpina-specific parts (engine cooling package brakes…) before returning to Alpina’s ‘manufactory’ for final assembly and any number of bespoke interior upgrades in its in-house upholstery and saddlery workshops This leaves the business at absolute capacity with requests from classic owners largely turned down including those who want to have cars serviced at the ‘birthplace’ “We have completed some restoration projects,” says Andreas a year ago we finished a two-year restoration of a 1981 6-Series Coupe B7S Turbo for a Japanese customer But mostly we use a maximum of two car lifts in the workshop so for now we cannot fulfil a lot of wishes our business will be almost the opposite of today.” and interior overhauls will be completed on-site The intention is to retain comparable floorspace and staffing levels (currently 300 or so) with younger mechatronic-trained technicians re-educated in the more mechanical art of rebuilding components such as engines Upgrades are already in the offing – the Japanese B7 was refitted with modern ignition and fuel-injection systems – and even far more radical restomods are apparently not out of the question Alpina also plans to upgrade models sold over the last decade (both the majority of its production and the remaining fleet) with “new wheels Yet neither continuation cars nor EV-swapped classics are likely The latter is no doubt music to most Alpina fans’ ears but surely there’d be demand for a fresh B10 built from a donor E34 5-Series… “This is an interesting idea,” concedes Andreas “but tooling for several hundred parts for an Alpina conversion and other BMW parts are no longer available which classic would the man born at Alpina’s inception – the man who has lived and breathed its values ever since – put in his garage Or the B10 ‘Testarossa fighter’ he waxes lyrical about “I’d pick the [Z8-based] BMW Alpina Roadster V8,” comes the instant response “I was involved with this model when I worked at the BMW Research and Innovation Centre and I pushed heavily to do our own version afterward It’s the only car where we reached nearly 10 percent of total production with 555 Alpinas from a total production run of 5703 cars and it’s difficult to buy one for under $350,000.” That’s around a third more than you’ll pay for a typical Z8 but no doubt selling the final built-in-Buchloe Alpina to a keen collector would liberate the necessary funds This article was published more than 5 years ago This tiny German automaker might just make some of the best cars in the world right now Driving an Alpina is like stumbling into spectacular neighbourhood restaurant or finding an ingenious local mechanic Part of what makes it so special is the feeling that you discovered it Aston Martin sold more than 6,000 cars last year Production capacity at their workshop in Germany tops out at less than 2,000 cars per year When the 2020 Alpina B7’s throttle is slammed into the plush carpet at 200 kilometres per hour it calmly downshifts a couple of gears and begins to accelerate It shoves us back into our seats with the kind of force you’d expect at half this speed We’re doing 275 km/h on a stretch of unrestricted German Autobahn before The B7’s top speed is reportedly 330 km/h (205 mph) Alpina's take on BMW's twin-turbo V8 produces 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.Brendan McAleer You may have noticed the B7 looks like a BMW 7 Series That’s because the B7 was a 7 Series until Alpina developed and fitted a new engine body kit and brakes and turned into something altogether better it’s pointless to have a car that’s comfortable and quiet at 200 km/h but to think Alpina is just about raw speed is wrong It should cater to racecar-driver wannabes It should have rock-hard suspension and a huge wing and lots of carbon fibre You know you’re in a sporty car when your whole body is sore after a drive on our terrible roads What makes Alpina different is that it makes sporty cars for the real world It takes one person approximately six hours to make 2020 Alpina B7's hand-stitched steering wheels He is refreshingly blunt about his customers: “If you are a rich guy and you’ve had several BMWs But Alpina is so exclusive – only 1,500 cars annually – that we can fill this niche of exclusivity that rich customers like to have,” explains Bovensiepen his company makes cars for people who think a BMW is too pedestrian that’s a viable business model in our new Gilded Age The Alpina factory is in a residential neighbourhood in the small town of Buchloe There’s a machine shop with hand-operated tools There are fresh metal shavings on the floor The leather shop uses the softest cowhide I’ve ever touched The hand-stitched steering wheels take one person approximately six hours to make Even the factory buildings are painted in the company’s traditional blue and green colours Alpina’s first product was a Weber carburetor kit for the BMW 1500 which Andreas’ father sold in the parking lot of the 1965 Frankfurt motor show – he couldn’t afford booth space – by placing flyers on windshields The kit was so good that BMW packed it with their full factory warranty uses the softest cowhide you'd ever touch.Katja Kuhl the two companies have had a symbiotic relationship BMW supplies Alpina with cars to modify; Alpina supplies BMW dealerships with rarified products to satisfy rich drivers Alpina is officially an automaker rather than a tuner More models are on the way to North America as is an Alpina 8 Series Gran Coupe – and this according to the company’s product manager Alpina produced 21 special-edition B7s for our country They had blacked-out trim and dark matte paint Maybe the reason all sporty cars have to be so extreme now The B7 is almost as plush as a Rolls-Royce It floats over railway crossings despite the huge 21-inch rims Bovensiepen gives a lot of credit to the soft-sidewall tires Alpina developed with Michelin There are eight driving modes and three gearbox modes in the 7 Series even the B7’s sportiest setting is usable on bumpy roads Alpina’s BMW-based twin-turbo V8 – which produces 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque – is tuned for low-end shove Alpina’s BMW-based twin-turbo V8 produces a top speed of 330 kmph.Supplied it’s obvious this tiny company has produced a better car than BMW’s flagship sedan It’s a shame that to get a such a stupendous machine It raises the question: Why doesn’t BMW simply make its cars this good to begin with Each model is developed by a legion of engineers ALPINA Home » The ALPINA XB7 is Assembled and Finished Entirely Built in U.S The differences between a BMW and an ALPINA aren’t only mechanical While ALPINAs are incredibly fast and handle better than their corresponding BMW models That added luxury comes mostly from finer leather and more exquisite finishing However, because the all-new ALPINA XB7 is built in Spartanburg, South Carolina the Germans have to rely on Americans to finish the XB7 properly All of the hardware for the ALPINA XB7 is built in the brand’s home in Buchloe wheels and all of the other mechanical bits That hardware is then sent to Spartanburg for final assembly It’s also in Spartanburg where the XB7 is finished give the car the brand’s famous “white glove” treatment all final hand assembling and finishing is done in Spartanburg the hand-finished details are done in Germany The cars are still assembled in Spartanburg but are then shipped to Germany for last-minuted touches and details The ALPINA XB7 isn’t the first ALPINA to be built in Spartanburg the ALPINA versions of the X3 and X4 were also built in Spartanburg as well as the 2003-2006 ALPINA Roadster S (Z4) and it shows off the quality and capability of the team in Spartanburg The team in Spartaburg has been trained just as well as the Buchloe-based team and should still put out a product that meets the high expectations of the brand We can’t wait to get behind the wheel and put one to the test to see what it’s like to drive the first-ever ALPINA XB7 More from ALPINA It’s the end of the road for one of the finest performance sedans in the world Alpina says goodbye to the BMW 7 Series-based B7 saloon as the Bavarian company makes the switch from the G11/12 series to the all-new G70 generation doesn’t plan a successor for the go-fast luxury cruiser BMW now even produces the i7’s electric drive components in-house at its Dingolfing plant where up to 500,000 electric vehicles can be assembled annually As for Alpina, the high-performance automaker is switching its focus towards SUVs with one of the firm’s latest products being the heavily revised XB7 With a new face and more power than before the performance family hauler is now on sale in the United States priced at $145,000 without a $995 destination fee The first deliveries are scheduled for the first months of next year Alpina B7 To Return With BMW 7 Series Facelift: Report 2020 Alpina B7 Is 'Opulently Elegant' According To BMW Dealer 2026 Jeep Compass Unveiled: Hybrid or EV With Up to 375 HP 2017 BMW Alpina B7 Review: The magnificent Seven Lotus Emira With Yellow Exhaust Tips Pays Tribute to an F1 GOAT German manufacturer Alpina reached a tremendous milestone this year – their 50th Anniversary To celebrate they created two limited edition models of the B5 and B6 Bi-Turbo to take part in the anniversary festivities and put the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 to the test The 50th anniversary edition of the B5 and B6 are both limited to only 50 units and are available in the unique Alpina Blue and Alpina Green colors Throughout the car you will find references to the 50 year history of Alpina including a special black/green interior that reflects the B7 S Turbo Coupe from 1982 All Alpina cars are developed by Alpina and built by BMW The Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 is no exception The Alpina 4.4 liter V8 Bi-Turbo delivers 600hp and no less than 800Nm of torque This allows the rear wheel driven B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds 0-200 km/h in just 12,7 seconds and reach a top speed of 328 km/h This makes it one of the fastest limousines in the world More power and a higher top speed also require more stopping power; new Brembo brake discs measuring 395mm in size and high temperature brake pads provide the necessary performance and precision Alpina was the first manufacturer in the world to use Akrapovic high performance exhausts as standard The titanium exhaust made in Slovenia reduces the weight by 17 kilogram compared to a steel performance exhaust A large diameter and active flaps provide a powerful V8 sound that can be regulated to different levels The exhaust tips are surrounded by carbon fibre for an exclusive look The Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 comes with lightweight Alpina wheels as standard The form function design is characterized by the so called side cuts for further weight reduction In total the wheels save 15,6 kilogram despite their increased size to 9×20” at the front and 10×20” at the rear The suspension has been optimized for the high performance and high top speed of the Edition 50 models In addition the B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 comes with Dynamic Drive which reduces body roll while cornering The mechanical differential and wider track on the rear increase the levels of grip significantly We received the keys to our Alpina Blue B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 at the company’s headquarter in Buchloe Directly near the unlimited A96 autobahn and Bavarian rural roads – the perfect location for a mixed route of rural and high-speed roads At the touch of the start button the 4.4 liter V8 comes to life with a loud vroom In neutral the engine runs sovereign ready to explore the surrounding area We headed South in direction of the Alps on a beautiful sunny day Even though the Alpina B5 shares the same base chassis as the BMW 5-Series a few meters make clear this is unlike any other BMW we have driven – M5 included Alpina owner and son of the founder Andreas Bovensiepen mentioned that their models are not designated to compete with the M-performance range high performance cars that are more setup for the autobahn and sweeping bends than the race track a unique Alpina feature in use long before paddles became the standard on road cars you can override the automatic gearbox and shift manually The tremendous torque pushes us deep into the seats under acceleration from standstill often accompanied with a bit of wheel spin To make flawless standing starts launch control is also available on the B5 Driving through small Bavarian villages and over sweeping country roads we could feel that the B5 Edition 50 was hiding something from us But we couldn’t figure out what it really was Mexico and many other distant countries travelled to Buchloe to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alpina In the US Alpina is sold directly through the dealerships but the model line-up is limited to the B7 and B6 GranCoupe Alpina is also working hard on acquiring approval to sell its cars in China The increased global expansion of Alpina doesn’t mean the heritage or exclusivity of the brand is neglected Although the production of the Alpina B5 and other Alpina models takes place at the various BMW factories every Alpina makes its way to Buchloe for quality insurance and installation of bespoke parts and interiors I won’t go that far in saying Alpina can be compared with Rolls-Royce but just like Rolls-Royce Alpina builds highly individual cars based on the best BMW has to offer Talking about Rolls-Royce the Alpina leather workshop comes surprisingly close to the Rolls-Royce workshop in Goodwood which is certainly a compliment for the company from Buchloe Continuing our drive through Bavaria we made our way to the A96 autobahn to find out what it is like to really put our foot down in the B5 Bi-Turbo We accelerated onto the highway and it didn’t take long until the other traffic was nothing but a tiny dot in the mirror Ahead lay a straight empty stretch and we pressed the accelerator pedal gently to the bottom Now this is what the Alpina was hiding from us before Hardly have we come across a limousine that accelerates so quickly from 200 km/h onwards we lifted off just shy of 300 km/h as a car appeared in the left lane but there is no doubt the B5 Bi-Turbo keeps propelling forward well above the 300 km/h mark At the same time the car feels very stable definitely more stable than some purpose built sportscars We turned around and headed back to Buchloe We comfortably set the cruise control to 200 km/h and reflected on our first experience with the Alpina B5 Edition 50 We loved the power delivery of the Bi-Turbo engine the acceleration and top speed is mind blowing especially above 120 km/h and the Akrapovic exhaust finishes it off with a great full bodied sound Personally I would opt for a different exterior color and interior spec but that is not a problem for Alpina They asked me to bring my favorite fabric or color sample to create an individual interior or custom exterior color I think this car is more balanced for everyday ride than M5 Videos Home » ALPINA’s 50th Anniversary ‒ 1965 – 2015 The evolution from workshop in the 60s into a manufacturer of luxurious dream cars based on BMW models Buchloe has been the place where true experts create automobiles for true connoisseurs The name ALPINA not only stands for performance it is also synonymous with a family business‘ unique success story The company was founded in 1965 by Burkard Bovensiepen a member of the Bovensiepen family of industrialists The beginnings of Alpina found its roots in 1962 as the Weber dual carburetor was developed for the new BMW 1500 The company would not be officially founded until a few years later as the Weber dual carburetor came to completion and was certified around 1964 by BMW Alpina was founded by Burkard Bovensiepen (b 1936) in 1965 as Burkard Bovensiepen KG in Kaufbeuren following his success with investments in the stock market He started the tuning business in an outbuilding of the original Alpina typewriter factory Since 1983 Alpina has been recognized by the German Federal Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer thus Alpina-built cars are branded and registered as Alpina instead of BMW although an Alpina can be bought and serviced at local BMW dealerships Niki Lauda and Hans Joachim „Strietzel“ Stuck More from Videos By Matt Bird / Thursday As it did with the larger B5 this means an improvement on pretty much everything Said to be impressed by the reinforced connection between body and rear dampers in the stock 3 Series refresh Alpina has added to it with a sturdy (and beautiful) front strut brace to further benefit rigidity and ‘noticeably increase’ steering precision The steering system itself has been further honed a stiffer front anti-roll bar is in and the xDrive has received a rework for additional rearward bias The promise is of a driving experience ‘characterised by dynamism and agility.’ Nice and means all models are capable of at least 189mph.  Distinguishing the GT models from previous B3s and B4s are a new front end complete with canards said to benefit lift; perhaps a tad OTT for an Alpina, you might say, though at least it still goes without the M grille The rear diffuser gets a new look as well to balance out the aero It’s the forged Alpina Classic wheels that are likely to garner the most attention as is a colour-matched decal set specific to these B3s and B4s Presumably silver will still be available if you ask nicely.  Mostly the GT interior is familiar from the 3 Series complete with bigger screens and fewer buttons than ever The Alpinafication includes standard carbon trim The anodized aluminium shift paddles also come with every car.  It’s not going to be terrible, then, this new Alpina. Exact numbers haven’t been confirmed for the B3 and B4 GT (the B5 was limited to 250 units) though suffice it to say there aren’t likely to be many.  Prices start at £89,300 for the saloon, £90,400 for the Touring and £91,400 for the Gran Coupe-based B4. The configurator is live already if you’ve nothing to do this afternoon and Alpina recommends Daytona Violet to go with the gold The Pie & PistonChat about everything else… MotorsportsWin on Sunday, talk about it on Monday SupercarsNot all cars are created equal EventsMeet your hero Matt Bird in person The LoungeNeed to get something off your chest? View all forumsPistonHeads AuctionsSign up to our emailsGet the hottest news and promotions sent straight to your inbox PistonHeads® is a registered trademark of CarGurus Ireland Limited CarGurus UK Limited is an introducer appointed representative of CarFinance 247 Limited (FRN: 653019) CarFinance 247 Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance intermediation CarFinance 247 Limited is a credit broker and not a lender Sign In Register TERESA BERNADETTE (O’REILLY) Surrounded by the love of her family Teresa passed away peacefully on January 31 at the age of 95.  She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 66 years Ted.  Much loved Mom to Mary Ann (1981) and Ted Davies and his partner Shelley Dixon all of Sarnia.  She was the treasured Nanny to seven grandchildren:  Shannon Dupuis and her husband TJ of Corunna Jamie Chamberlain and his wife Katie of London Jessica Huhn and her husband Dan of Buchloe Erin Chamberlain and her partner Michael Peart of Brampton Meg and Matthew Davies of London.  She was the cherished Great-Nanny to eight beautiful children whom she loved dearly: Dylan and London Peart.  Teresa was predeceased by her parents Michael and Mary Ann O’Reilly and her siblings Mary Jamie and members of the Davies family whom she was very fond of.  She will be lovingly remembered by her sisters-in-law Mary Jane O’Reilly Diane Gordon and by many dear nieces and nephews Her faith was very important to her and she and Ted were actively involved in the life of Sacred Heart Parish for many years.  She was a gifted knitter and lovingly made many sweaters friends and those in need.  Teresa was an avid gardener and enjoyed time spent amongst her flowers She loved her family above all else and was truly a kind generous soul.  Although her last few years were difficult we find comfort in knowing she is with her beloved daughter Mary Ann whom she missed every day.  We have lost our cherished Mother but our hearts are filled with love and wonderful memories Special thanks to the amazing staff at Trillium Villa which was home to Teresa for the past nineteen months.  We are so grateful for the compassionate care love and support shown to Mom and our family day in and day out.  Thanks also to Dr Michael Stoesser for his exceptional care over the years A division of Sarnia Media Group Inc.Locally Owned and Operated This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Home > News > BMW Group acquires Alpina brand in deal that will start from 2025 News BMW has acquired the Alpina brand in a deal that will start in 2025 after close to 60 years of working with the firm The two companies initially agreed a new five year working arrangement in 2020 and will honour that deal before the takeover Alpina will become part of the BMW Group for the first time A restructuring of staff will then take place with some Alpina workers possibly being moved to work for other BMW Group brands Up until that point Alpina is expected to continue operating as normal and even after the takeover the brand will continue to be based at its Buchloe factory BMW has said the acquisition was made as switch towards electrification makes it difficult for smaller manufacturers No financial details have been revealed about the acquisition although BMW has confirmed it will not take any shares in Alpina senior vice president customer and brand BMW described the move as ‘a perfect fit’ member of the board of management responsible for customer added: ‘The automotive industry is in the midst of a far-reaching transformation towards sustainable mobility existing business models need to be re-examined on a regular basis the Buchloe firm has demonstrated how to deliver top-quality car cachet through meticulous attention to detail ‘The BMW Group is also driven by this same passion for cars that capture the imagination That is why we are now embarking on a new chapter in our long-standing partnership ‘Acquiring the trademark rights will allow us to shape the long-term course of this brand steeped in tradition.’ has a proud history on tuning special edition BMW vehicles and also has a thriving business building its own cars Last year it experienced its best ever year of sales selling more than 2,000 vehicles to customers worldwide the brand is represented by dealer group Sytner said: ‘We recognised the challenges facing the automotive industry early on and are now setting the right course for Alpina and for our family firm ‘This marks the beginning of a new chapter ‘We made a conscious decision not to sell Alpina to just any manufacturer ‘That is why it is the right decision strategically for the Alpina brand to be managed by the BMW Group in the future.’ Jack joined the Car Dealer team in 2021 as a staff writer He previously worked as a national newspaper journalist for BNPS Press Agency He has provided news and motoring stories for a number of national publications including The Sun BMW Group has bought Alpina and has revealed plans to bring the vehicle tuning firm in-house The two companies have held a partnership for almost 60 years Alpina is represented exclusively by Sytner Group in the UK An existing cooperation agreement between Alpina and BMW will be honoured until December 31 then BMW Group will be solely responsible for any future Alpina-badged models Alpina takes finished BMW models from the production line and modifies them at its own facility in Buchloe parts and accessories business for the existing and legacy BMW Alpina vehicle portfolio will continue at the Buchloe location in the long term There will be no changes to the existing aftersales cooperation As part of a strategic cooperation between the two companies there will be a further expansion of the existing development services business for BMW out of Buchloe BMW said the transformation towards electromobility and increasing regulation worldwide – particularly emissions legislation software validation and requirements for driver assistance and monitoring systems – have made it significantly more difficult for small-series manufacturers member of the Board of Management responsible for Customer said: “The automotive industry is in the midst of a far-reaching transformation towards sustainable mobility “Acquiring the trademark rights will allow us to shape the long-term course of this brand steeped in tradition.” The conclusion of the transaction is still subject to various suspensive conditions – in particular approval by the responsible antitrust authorities Both parties have agreed not to disclose any financial details Alpina began in 1962 when Burkard Bovensiepen saw an opportunity to develop a Weber dual carburettor for the new BMW 1500 BMW awarded Alpina products with a factory guarantee A milestone in the partnership between the two firms came in 1970 when they co-developed the BMW 3.0 CSL The brands enjoyed numerous forays into motorsport during their 57-year partnership Alpina has focused on offering exclusive variants of existing BMW models with enhanced performance and more luxurious appointments Last year, BMW Group outlined a new sustainability strategy aimed at “drastically reducing” vehicle lifecycle CO2 emissions by more than 40% by 2030 In this issue we present the top perfomers in the 2025 AM Dealer Recommended research Significant motor retail industry suppliers have been endorsed by UK automotive retail leaders in our research programme.  We surveyed dealers from our audience to find out who they trust most and rely on for products and services in a variety of critical aspects of their motor retail operations Almost 30 companies received sufficient support from AM's dealer audience to become Dealer Recommended this year Find out who they are and learn from them how they can problem solve in your business Plus perspectives on success: how having the right partnerships goes a long way to ensuring good outcomes for any dealership Register to receive our range of digital content By submitting any material to us you are confirming that the material is your own original work or that you have permission from the copyright owner to use the material and to authorise Bauer Consumer Media to use it as described in this paragraph You also promise that you have permission from anyone featured or referred to in the submitted material to it being used by Bauer Consumer Media If Bauer Consumer Media receives a claim from a copyright owner or a person featured in any material you have sent us we will inform that person that you have granted us permission to use the relevant material and you will be responsible for paying any amounts due to the copyright owner or featured person and/or for reimbursing Bauer Consumer Media for any losses it has suffered as a result Back in April, BMW lifted the covers off its spanking new 2012 6-Series Coupe at the Shanghai Auto Show in China Having already shown the Convertible version the only model left to complete the series is the presentation of the M6 in both coupe and open top forms as we’ve yet to hear from BMW’s longtime tuner which is considered a manufacturer in its own right We’re talking of course about the multispoke alloy wheels and the dual round tail pipes on either corner both of which are typical styling traits of of Alpina’s cars along with the characteristic white decals and subtle front and rear spoilers Alpina’s most recent take on the BMW 6-Series was the B6 which was based on the previous generation E63 Coupe and E64 Convertible models the B6 was fitted with a modified 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine pushing out 500 ponies the Buchloe-based tuner presented the B6 S but with its tweaked 4.4-liter force-fed V8 delivering 530-horses Given that Alpina’s B5 BiTurbo (built on the new 550i) is fitted with the same 4.4-liter V8 engine found under the hood of the 2012 650i but tuned to crank out 507HP it’s very likely that the tuner will use this V8 on its upcoming B6 IT’S easy to think of the Alpina B3 Biturbo Touring as the M3 wagon that BMW never made The 301kW load lugger instead offers a softer-edged take on going quickly with the reassuring exclusivity that comes with every Alpina product badging and distinctive alloy wheels looks great or gauche (again and the interior is all buttery thick leather build plaques and factory crests of carbs and cranks The engine is the N55 engine from the 335i modified with a pair of turbos rather than the single twin-scroll unit it’s usually supplied with It also gets a specially cast crankcase design that Alpina ships to Munich for installation on the line before the car arrives at Buchloe for final fettling It’s an open-deck design rather than the closed-deck architecture of BMW’s successor engine so in many ways it’s a bit of a pick’n’mix but when teamed with a custom-calibrated ZF eight-speed auto it’s a heck of a combination The Akrapovic exhaust adds a few pops and bangs on the overrun in the Sport modes to amp up the aural excitement and from 5000rpm towards the redline there’s a yowling intensity with the rear always feeling just on the edge of needing some electronics to rein in the 600Nm in the lower gears that’s 50Nm more than an M3 or M4 Competition so you need to really think twice before doing the long press on the stability control button Get the B3 sliding and you need to be on your game The chassis is relatively benign and the steering excellent but plugging into that Goldilocks zone where there’s just enough torque before the big turbo really gets excited requires a sensitive right clog keeping the engine around 4000rpm gives the Alpina a sinewy feel leaping from apex to braking zone with an addictively elastic muscularity The transmission is a sweeter thing at most speeds than the M3’s twin-clutcher although it does occasionally have the propensity to kick down a bit too sharply when you’re just ambling The shift buttons on the back of the wheel spokes are a flat-out bad idea If you’re really jinking through tight corners you can often find the car running to its redline while you’re fumbling for the dollar-coin sized bumps but a set of paddles is just a better execution for shifting on the fly There are clearly more conspicuous claims on your $167K than the Alpina B3 Biturbo Touring It’s an easy car to overlook based purely on numbers but to do so ignores a blend of talents that Buchloe has spent half a century honing It’s a lovely thing to drive either quickly or slowly with Alpina’s nuanced understanding of balanced dynamics giving it the sort of polish that feels anything but the ‘tuner car’ that the uninformed will pigeonhole it as the B3 feels a more cohesive proposition than any current 3 Series and one that richly rewards the keen driver there are only two Alpina B3 cars left for sale in Australia but that’s actually no great cause for regret Winging in at the same $167,727 price point is the new Alpina B3 S Based on the updated ‘LCI’ version of the latest 3 Series fettled suspension and remapped transmission software Mercedes sells more than 4000 AMG models per year in Australia “We’re supply limited,” explains Sales Manager Phil Jeffery “BMW only allocates Alpina between 1500 and 2000 build slots per year If we considered ourselves to be 1 percent of that we’d be extremely fortunate If the B3S still seems a bit too pedestrian for your tastes the next-gen Alpina B5 is due to launch in February/March Arriving at much the same time as the new M5 the B5 is the product of BMW and Alpina working hand-in-hand with the new G30 Five Series platform the B5 Biturbo Touring will also run on to a top speed of 330km/h Wheels' Road Test Editor brings 25 years of experience to the hot seat Enright has driven virtually everything and loves telling the stories behind both new and old metal Enright loves cars that retain a sense of fun and deliver functional ingenuity Strangely hates convertibles and is befuddled by fine dining options The two silver badges perched on the tail of the Alpina D5 S speak volumes they signify that the depth of engineering that goes into this 171 mph super saloon is such that BMW is happy for the small independent manufacturer to badge these cars as its own Secondly – and perhaps to some people’s surprise – the ‘D’ signifies that this formidable machine drinks diesel We’ll get on to the driving experience in a minute but first it’s worth pausing to look at how these cars are built began life in 1965 when the owner of a typewriter company started producing revised cylinder heads and carburettors for the BMW 1500 saloon BMW was so impressed with the quality of these conversions that it granted the vehicles a full manufacturer warranty It was the start of a unique relationship that endures to this day Alpina has its own factory in the town of Buchloe It’s here that the final assembly is carried out on the firm’s model range which spans from the 3-Series derived D3 to the mighty B7 Biturbo It’s also home to a substantial R&D centre including climate chambers and an emissions laboratory Alpina uses these facilities develop its own models as well as carrying out consultancy work for BMW begins on the BMW production line at Dingolfing Each of the cars is assigned an Alpina-specific build code right from the start The company supplies a comprehensive kit of new and revised parts that is fitted by the BMW technicians as it progresses down the line The full list of modifications is too numerous to list the internal components of the D5 S engine are unchanged but virtually every other part of the powertrain is revised in some way starting with a bespoke pair of sequential turbochargers Next comes a heavily modified cooling pack followed by new intake and exhaust systems Such is the level of detail here that Alpina has developed its own specifications for the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and the selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system the ECU calibration has been thoroughly reworked too The result is 326 bhp – a healthy 65 bhp increase over the BMW 530d The engine quietly spins into life and settles into an inoffensive idle that sounds much like any other premium diesel Shift the ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic into Drive somewhere in between a petrol V8 and a Riva speedboat But put your foot to the boards and it hardens into growl that lasts all the way to the 5,500 rpm red line Alpina UK expects to sell around 12 of these cars in 2018 which means you have roughly the same odds of spotting a Bugatti VeyronBefore we get too carried away it’s worth stating that there are fleeting moments – particularly at low rpm – when you can still sense that it’s a diesel Listen very carefully and you can also detect a faintly synthetic edge to the soundtrack which betrays the presence of a noise enhancement system This uses a microphone placed in the intake to sample the engine’s natural tones and then boosts the more favourable frequencies with constructive interference piped through the stereo but this principle is applied on virtually every modern performance car and this is one of the more subtle examples we’ve come across Nonetheless there is still a tell-tale warble if you listen carefully revs and responds better than a lot of modern petrol engines Its appetite for revs is particularly uncanny Alpina actually limits the torque at low rpm to give the engine a more progressive character – much like Ferrari does with its turbocharged petrol engines The end result is a torque curve so unswervingly linear that it might as well have been drawn with a ruler The D5 S makes an effortlessly refined motorway cruiser capable of around 45 mpg when driven with restraint But it’s out here on the sinewy roads of the Yorkshire Dales that the chassis really has a chance to shine this near-two tonne saloon miraculously shrinks around you flowing down the road with impressive agility and precision the only real reminder of its considerable size is the sharp intake of breath that accompanies the appearance of oncoming traffic on these narrow moorland roads A lot of work has gone into the Alpina’s astonishing blend of comfort and agility The springs are some 40 per cent stiffer than their BMW equivalents yet the electronically-controlled dampers are nominally softer in compression and firmer in rebound The bushes and top mounts have also been re-engineered while the 20-spoke forged alloy wheels shed around 15 kg of unsprung mass compared to normal cast items In the softest Comfort Plus setting the Alpina actually makes a more relaxed limo the standard BMW sportier drive in the more aggressive settings It’s the perfect combination of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde This particular D5 S comes with a modified version of BMW’s hydraulically-controlled anti-roll system It’s similar in principle to a passive anti-roll bar but it is automatically adjusted front and rear to adapt to different drive modes and changing road conditions The same options pack also brings rear-wheel steering this steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts by up to 2.5 degrees to improve agility both sets are steered in the same direction for increased stability Alpina has sprinkled its magic on the drivetrain too but the BMW xDrive system has been recalibrated for a more pronounced rear-bias  It never feels wild in the same way as a Mercedes-AMG E63 or indeed BMW’s own M5 but the changes are enough to make it feel noticeably rear-driven when you’re in the mood there’s almost limitless traction when you want it The icing on the cake is the driving environment despite amounting to little more than a re-trim that’s quite a good metaphor for the D5 S as a whole but they add up to a car that feels genuinely special and a great deal more than the sum of its parts the D5 S’s starting price of £62,000 is not at all unreasonable (you can spec a normal 530d to more than that if you try) Even our generously equipped test car – optioned to £86,690 – feels special enough to justify the premium which means you have roughly the same odds of spotting a Bugatti Veyron the D5 S can be supplied with the badges and decals removed at no extra cost meaning that most people would have no idea what a remarkable vehicle lies underneath CLICK HERE FOR MORE AUTOMOTIVE CONTENT Supported Characters→ alphanumeric→ space→ dash Operators→ &→ |→ ( … ) Example→ (hybrid | electric) & suv & perodua to match arictles of perodua suv with either hybrid or electric engine If a BMW is ‘the ultimate driving machine’, then an Alpina is the ultimate ultimate driving machine is widely regarded as making some of the best performance and luxury cars on the planet Calling Alpina a ‘tuner’ is selling the firm a bit short Alpina is deeply integrated into BMW’s operations: their vehicles are assembled on the same production lines as normal BMWs before being sent to Alpina’s factory in Buchloe Alpina is actually recognised by the German government as a car manufacturer in its own right and therefore it issues its own VINs Alpina likes to do things a little differently to BMW and its M division and often come to different conclusions about how to achieve power gains All Alpina models are turbocharged (not all M cars are) and Alpina likes to install its own manumatic transmissions they’re a bit special; a bit idiosyncratic They’re a bit of an ‘if you know you know’ real enthusiast car brand – the epitome of cool for people who are really into their cars But those people are set for a bit of a rude shock Alpina announced that they’ve been bought by the BMW Group and that the production of Alpina vehicles at their Buchloe site will wrap up in 2025 The two firms “will continue to cooperate closely in the future with a focus on engineering and development services,” their press release elaborates and “the spare parts supply and the service offering for BMW ALPINA automobiles of all ages is guaranteed in the long term.” You can read the press release in full here The phrasing of the release implies that Bovensiepen (Alpina’s new name) will simply be responsible for legacy servicing and will instead work more as a design/engineering bureau for BMW rather than a tuner/manufacturer Our order books are as full as ever and several new products and product updates are imminent“ we will continue to bring different but impressive mobility offerings to market… Our manufacturing activities will transform into engineering services over time.” While it’s good to hear that Alpina hasn’t gone bust or anything – and that current Alpina owners will continue to be looked after – it’s not clear from the press release what BMW’s plans with Alpina are exactly One potential future is we could see Alpina become a sort of trim level/specification for new BMWs A similar thing has happened with other car companies: for example which has long been associated with Mercedes-Benz started off as an independent tuning firm before being bought out and absorbed into Mercedes Alpina’s press release references how from 2026 BMW wants to introduce more luxury offerings in their range Perhaps Alpina will become a luxury designation for BMW models All we know is we’ll be very sad to see Alpina disappear entirely We hope BMW keeps the Alpina vision alive; to continue to make incredibly luxurious incredibly fast and somewhat understated versions of their already impressive cars We also hope this doesn’t make Alpina prices on the used market even crazier than they already are (but that’s probably some wishful thinking) It would be great to be able to own a B12 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