Alpina

Brand distinctions

Since 1983, Alpina has been recognized by the German Federal Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer, so its cars are branded and registered as Alpina rather than BMW, though they can be serviced at any BMW dealership and are fully covered under warranty. Alpina vehicles are also sold at some BMW dealerships. The production process is largely hand-made: engines are fine-tuned at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, delivered to BMW's plant in Dingolfing for installation, and the assembled car returns to Alpina for interior upgrades with specific components.

Alpina also optimizes the transmission and installs steering wheel-mounted button shifters called Switch-Tronic on most models, with paddle shifters used on the B4 S Edition 99. Exterior distinguishing marks include 20-spoke alloy wheels with hidden valves under the center cap and exclusive metallic colours such as Alpina Blue or Alpina Green. Inside, fine materials and a blue-and-green pattern are often used on stitching and other interior parts.

A thin pinstriped body decor in gold or silver is a hallmark of older models and remains optional on new ones. The Alpina wordmark at the front of the car, derived from its racing heritage, and a metal plate inside bearing the serial number further identify the vehicle. Compared to BMW M models, Alpina vehicles emphasize touring, higher torque, and use their own shiftable ZF automatic transmissions rather than manual or semi-automatic units. For example, the Alpina B5 of the E60 5 Series uses a supercharged 4.4L V8 producing similar horsepower and greater torque at lower rpm than the BMW M5's naturally aspirated 5.0L V10.

3 Series based Alpinas

The Alpina C1, based on the E21 323i, was among the company's most popular early models. The C1 2.3 produced 125 kW and 225 Nm of torque, achieving 0–100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 213 km/h, thanks to special Mahle pistons, a modified exhaust and ignition system, dry-sump lubrication, and a short-ratio five-speed gearbox. Only 35 C1 cars were built, making it one of the rarest Alpina models. Later, Alpina offered the C2 2.5 and 2.7 models based on the BMW 325i, with power between 190 and 210 hp, along with upgraded brakes and suspension.

The C1 2.5 and early C2 models used a reworked M20B23 engine with increased bore and stroke to reach 2552 cm³, producing 136 kW and 246 Nm, with 0–100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h. Production estimates for these models range from 35 to around 400 cars. The first C2 combined the wider bore of the M20B25 with the 76.8 mm crankshaft of the M20B23 to create a 2552 cc engine producing 185 PS and 265 Nm; 74 units were built between 1985 and November 1986.

After the C2 2.7 appeared in spring 1986, the 2.5 was upgraded to 190 hp and renamed C1 2.5, which was discontinued with the September 1987 facelift of the E30.

5 Series based Alpinas

The Alpina B2, based on the 1976 BMW 5 Series (E12) 528i, featured a bored-out 230 hp 3.0-liter straight-six with three double-barrel carburetors. Only eleven B2s were built before the introduction of the B7. The Alpina B7 Turbo, also based on the E12 528i, was produced from 1978 to 1982 with a B7 engine producing 221 kW at 6,000 rpm and 462 Nm at 3,000 rpm. In 1981, the B7 S Turbo arrived with 243 kW at 5,800 rpm and 500 Nm at 3,000 rpm; only sixty were made.

The Alpina B9, built from November 1981 to December 1985 on the BMW E28, saw about 500 examples produced. It used a 3.45-liter Alpina-tuned engine based on the 3.5-liter M30, with a replaced cylinder head, pistons, camshaft, and modified Bosch Motronic ECU, transmitting power via a 5-speed gearbox or optional automatic. The suspension used Bilstein gas dampers, and the interior featured Recaro seats, a new shifter, and a modified instrument cluster.

In 1985, the B10 3.5 appeared, based on the BMW 535i (E28), using the 3.5-liter six-cylinder from the B6 3.5 producing 192 kW; only 77 were built. The B10 3.5 for the E34 began production in April 1988, with the 3.5-liter M30 engine reworked to 187 kW; production stopped in 1992 after 572 cars. In 1993, Alpina launched a B10 with an eight-cylinder engine based on the BMW 540i's M60, modified to 232 kW; 49 examples were built.

7 Series based Alpinas

Alpina launched the B12 5.7 in 1995 and the B12 6.0 in 1999, both based on the BMW 750i and 750iL. Unlike the standard BMWs, these cars had no electronic top-speed limiter, hitting over 280 km/h for the 5.7 and 291 km/h for the 6.0. The B12 5.7 was the first production car to come standard with an electrically heated metal catalyst. Its engine was a 5.7-liter V12, while the B12 6.0 used a 6.0-liter V12.

The B7, built on the E65 7 Series, debuted at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show in both standard and long-wheelbase forms. It ran a supercharged 4.4-liter N62 V8—the first Alpina to use a centrifugal supercharger—since the 750i’s 4.8-liter engine wasn’t ready when development started; the 760Li’s 6.0-liter V12 was considered too heavy.

BMW of North America sold 800 limited-edition B7s for 2007 and 2008, all quickly snapped up. For 2011, the F01 B7 returned to the US with about 500 cars, offered in rear- or all-wheel drive and standard or long wheelbase. Canada got roughly 80 units, all with xDrive due to winter conditions.

Did You Know?

• Alpina's roots trace back to 1962, when Burkard Bovensiepen developed a Weber dual carburetor for the BMW 1500, which BMW certified with a full factory guarantee in 1964.
• Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen KG was established on 1 January 1965 in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, with eight employees, and moved to Buchloe by 1970.
• The Alpina XD3, debuting at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, uses a quad-turbo version of BMW's B57 diesel inline-six engine producing 388 PS and 770 Nm.