An era is ending, and it’s leaving us with an SUV. Yes, you read that right—the very last 'true' Alpina, a brand synonymous with precision, performance, and understated luxury, is bowing out with a limited-edition XB7 SUV. But here’s where it gets emotional: this isn’t just any SUV; it’s the final chapter of a 60-year legacy crafted by the Bovensiepen family, who built Alpina into a revered name in automotive tuning. And this is the part most people miss—this SUV isn’t a BMW-led project, despite the brand now being under BMW’s ownership. It’s a swan song developed under the family’s watchful eye, a last hurrah before the keys were handed over on January 1st.
Set to be unveiled this Friday, the XB7 is billed as an “exclusive, limited-production” model destined for the United States and Canada. It’s a fitting finale, but it also marks the beginning of a new, controversial chapter. Is Alpina losing its soul now that it’s fully under BMW’s wing? Some purists argue yes, while others see it as an evolution. After all, the first BMW-developed Alpina, set to debut later this year with fresh branding, will test whether the spirit of the Bovensiepens can survive in a corporate structure.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Alpina, founded by Burkard Bovensiepen in 1965, was more than just a BMW tuner. It was an independent manufacturer with factory warranties, celebrated for its subtly styled performance saloons and coupés—think the 3 Series-based B3 and D3. These cars weren’t just fast; they were refined, blending power with elegance in a way few others could.
But why sell to BMW? Here’s the controversial bit: The Bovensiepens’ ethos was ‘no compromise,’ a philosophy they felt couldn’t survive in the electric age. Andreas Bovensiepen himself admitted that hiring top-tier software engineers to differentiate electric Alpinas from BMW models would be prohibitively expensive. So, they stepped aside, leaving BMW to steer the brand into uncharted waters.
BMW, for its part, has big plans. It’s positioned Alpina as a high-performance rival to Mercedes-Benz’s ultra-luxurious Maybach brand, promising “an extraordinary range of bespoke options.” Former Polestar design chief Max Missoni has been brought on board to shape Alpina’s future styling, and the first BMW-led Alpina is expected to showcase this new direction later this year.
But let’s not forget the Bovensiepens. They’re not done with cars just yet. The family has launched an eponymous car company, revealing a modified BMW M4 coupé with coachwork by Zagato—a stunning reminder of their craftsmanship.
So, as we bid farewell to the last ‘true’ Alpina, it’s worth asking: Can Alpina retain its magic under BMW, or will it become just another sub-brand? And what does this mean for the future of automotive tuning? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
