Alpina

German automotive manufacturer

Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG is an automobile manufacturing company based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany that develops and sells high performance versions of BMW cars. 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. The firm was founded in 1965 by Burkard Bovensiepen (1936–2023), a member of the Bovensiepen family of industrialists. On 10 March 2022, BMW announced its intention to acquire Alpina. That same day, BMW wrote on its website that it had officially acquired the brand.

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 crankshafts 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.

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 and , giving a 0– time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of In the bi turbocharged right hand drive version, the engine outputs and , giving it a 0– time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of .

The Alpina XD4 debuted at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. It is fitted with a modified version of the B57 diesel engine with four turbochargers, and outputs and The XD4 is the fastest accelerating diesel powered production SUV, and can accelerate from 0– in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of It is available in left hand drive markets only.

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 engine with of torque accelerates the B3 from 0– in 4.0 seconds. The top speed is 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
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 and of torque, which is more than the BMW M3, and more than the BMW M3 Competition.

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 of Power and of torque. The Touring is also available with all wheel drive, based on BMW xDrive.

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 between 5,550 and 6,250 RPM and between 3,000 and 4,000 RPM.

The Alpina B5 was introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in all wheel drive Saloon or Touring versions. The B5 features a 4.4 litre N63M30 V8 engine that generates a maximum power output of and of torque. Based on the N63B44O2 V8, it has uprated pistons, new twin scroll Garrett turbochargers and new spark plugs by NGK. The B5 can accelerate from 3.5 seconds with a top speed of , making it the fastest estate car currently in production.

The Alpina D5 S debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show 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 and of torque in left hand drive markets, whereas it has two turbochargers and produces and of torque in right hand drive markets. The left hand drive D5 S saloon has a top speed of and a 0– acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. Alpina claims it is the fastest diesel powered production car in the world. The right hand drive, saloon only version has a 0– acceleration time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of .

The high performance 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 , 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 and 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– in 3.9 (3.8 for the 2016 2019 model) seconds and has a top speed of (324 km/h or 202 mph for the 2016 2019 model)

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 and of torque. is achieved in 7.8 seconds. Top speed was 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.

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 crankshaft of an M20B23, to create a torquier engine of 2552 cc. This version put out and , 74 units were built between 1985 and November 1986. 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. 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. 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 , with of torque. 0– was achieved in 7.2 seconds. Top speed is 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 with of torque and was the fastest E30 available at the time ( 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 and of torque. Top speed is and 0– 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.

The Alpina B6 2.8 is based on the 323i, but uses the same B6/2 engine used in the B6 E21. The car makes and of torque. Top speed is 0– is achieved in 7.2 seconds. 533 cars were made from 1983 to 1986. The Alpina B6 3.5 is based on the 325i chassis, but uses the M30 "big six" 3430 cm3 engine, upgraded to and of torque. 0– is achieved in 6.4 seconds. The engine uses custom Mahle pistons and rods. The cylinder head was ported and polished, and a hotter cam was used. Top speed is Suspension and brakes were upgraded. Bigger ventilated disks and progressive springs were installed at the front. Only 210 cars were made from 1986 to 1990. The B6 3.5 was sold in Japan as the B6 2.7 and used the 2.7 L engine from the Alpina C2 as the larger 3.0 L engine was unable to pass emissions. The Alpina B6 3.5 S uses the M3 chassis. The 3.5 S, like the 3.5, uses the B10/2 M30 "big six" which makes and of torque. Displacement is 3430 cm3. 0– is achieved in 6.4 seconds. Top speed is The gearbox used is the Getrag 260/6 sport, known as a dog leg gearbox. Only 62 cars were made from 1987 to 1990. The E30 BMW 333i was developed by Alpina for BMW South Africa. It was based on the 325i chassis and M30B32 engine, with numerous Alpina components common to the B6. Customers had to choose between power steering or air conditioning because of limited space in the engine bay.

To celebrate Alpina's victory in the 2011 ADAC GT Masters with an Alpina B6 GT3, Alpina decided to produce a limited run of the Alpina B3 S Bi Turbo, called the Alpina B3 GT3. The B3 GT3 features a new exhaust system developed in collaboration with Akrapovič which is lighter than the standard exhaust and increases power to and of torque. It features upgraded brakes with 380 mm discs, a Drexler limited slip differential and fully adjustable coilovers by KW at all four corners. The most noticeable changes were on the exterior: The B3 GT3 sports a carbon fibre rear wing, a special front splitter and 19" lightweight Alpina GT3 Classic wheels, painted in Himalaya Grey. The B3 GT3 was available in Black Sapphire metallic, Mineral White metallic, Alpina Blue metallic or with a full body vinyl wrap in the official GT3 design. The car could be ordered with an extra set of lightweight wheels (also 19" Alpina GT3 Classic, but equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup+ tires) for use on the track. Only 99 units were produced. Only eleven B2 were built before the introduction of the B7.

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 at 6,000 rpm and at 3,000 rpm. In 1981, Alpina introduced the B7 S Turbo with at 5,800 rpm and at 3,000 rpm. Only sixty B7 S Turbos were produced.

The Alpina B9 was built in a small series from November 1981 to December 1985 on the basis of the BMW E28. About 500 examples were produced.

In 1985, Alpina launched the B10 3.5, based on the BMW 535i (E28). The 3.5 liter six cylinder engine from the B6 3.5 was fitted to replace the B9's 3.45 liter. The output was Only 77 examples of the B10 3.5 were produced.

The B10 3.5 was the first Alpina based on the BMW E34, With production beginning in April 1988 at launch it was the only available B10. The 3.5 liter BMW M30 inline six cylinder engine of the BMW 535i was reworked with Mahle pistons, a modified cylinder head, and a new camshaft increasing power from to In 1992 production was stopped after 572 cars were made.

In 1993 the BMW M30 ended production forcing Alpina to discontinue the B10 3.5 and B10 BiTurbo. In April 1993 Alpina launched their replacement, the first B10 with an eight cylinder engine. The BMW M60 engine of the BMW 540i was modified with higher compression Mahle pistons and a modified air intake. Power was increased from to 49 examples were built.

The B10 3.0 Allrad was based on the all wheel drive BMW 525ix, launched in October 1993. The displacement of the six cylinder single VANOS and four valve engine was increased from 2.5 liters to 3.0 liters and the performance was increased from to 64 sedans and 70 tourings were produced.

The B10 4.6 replaced the B10 biturbo from March 1994 onwards. The engine was a re designed and enlarged V8 with a displacement of 4.6 liters, which was also used in the E36 Alpina B8 4.6 With , the power was only just below the B10 Bi Turbo. 27 saloon cars were produced, and 19 Tourings all were left hand drive except one right hand drive Touring.

The B10 was built as a sedan and touring based on the BMW E39 from January 1997 to May 2004. In February 2000, Alpina introduced the Alpina D10 Biturbo, the first six cylinder diesel model produced by Alpina. The engine, a 3.0 litre twin turbocharged unit with and of torque, was based on the engine of the BMW 530d. The two V8 engines with 4.6 (B10 V8) and 4.8 liters (B10 V8S) come from the BMW 540i. Again, a larger displacement was achieved by boring the engine block, which, together with other modifications, increased the power to , then to for the 4.6 liter engine,
and through an increased stroke with the 4.8 liter engine.

The original suspension from the BMW E39 has been reworked for the B10. Changes include modified springs and tuned shock absorbers from Sachs that help lower the car.

Model Engine Power Torque Years B10 3.2 BMW M52 I6 at 5,900 rpm at 4,300 rpm 8/1997–12/1998 B10 3.3 BMW M52 I6 at 6,200 rpm at 4,500 rpm 2/1999–10/2003 B10 V8 M62B46 V8 1/1997–10/1998 B10 V8 M62TUB46 V8 10/1998–9/2002 B10 V8S Alpina F5 V8 1/2002–5/2004 D10 Biturbo M57D30 I6 4/2000–10/2003

The BMW E60 and the 4.4 liter BMW N62 engine from the 545i serve as the basis for the Alpina B5, which uses the same H1 supercharged engine as the E65 B7. Compared to the E60, the B5 has larger brakes, a new suspension with Electronic Damper Control, a stainless steel silencing system with polished double tailpipes and the typical Alpina changes to the interior and exterior. The B5 was made from February 2005 to September 2007 and the B5 S was made from September 2007 to May 2010.

The N62B44's output is increased by means of a centrifugal supercharger. The supercharger is made by the company ASA, and is also called "Turbessor" because it is able to combine the advantages of turbocharger and supercharger. At low speeds, it spontaneously responds as a conventional displacement compressor, but it can also immediately provide the thrust of a turbo. It also reaches speeds of more than 100,000 revolutions per minute. As compared to the 545i performance has increased from to , torque was increased from to .

In 2005, an Alpina B5 Touring was tested by Auto, Motor und Sport on the Nardò Ring. The B5 reached a top speed of .

At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show (IIA), Alpina presented the revised B5 S.

The motor's combustion process was optimized by changing the camshaft. This resulted in a significantly lower exhaust gas temperature, which is the basis for the performance increase. The power of the 4.4 liter V8 was thus increased by to The torque increased by to The B5 S takes the sprint to in 4.6 seconds; The top speed increases to
Alpina unveiled an updated B5 at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Power had been uprated to and torque to During 2015, Alpina sold the B5 Bi Turbo Edition 50, which marked the company's 50th year in operation. The Edition 50 uses an upgraded engine which produces and The standard B5 received this same engine for the B5's last year of production, 2016.

The D5 Bi Turbo is based on the 535d. It is powered by Alpina modified version of the BMW N57 turbo straight 6 engine, which produces and of torque. The B12 5.7 has a 5.7 litre V12 and the B12 6.0 has a 6.0 litre V12. Model Engine Power Torque YearsProductionB12 5.7 V12 12/1995–08/1998 202B12 6.0 V12 07/1999–07/2001 94

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) such as the S600 and S63 AMG, Audi (particularly quattro's Audi S8), the Bentley Flying Spur, and Jaguar XJ Supercharged, while BMW's own top of the line V12 760Li was considered uncompetitive. The E65 B7 uses a supercharged version of the 4.4 litre V8 found in the BMW 745i as the 750i and its 4.8 litre engine were not around when development began. 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.

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. Roughly 80 models will be sold in Canada, all of the xDrive variety due to that country's winter weather. 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.

The all new 2019 B7 based on the G11/G12 BMW 7 Series and features a 4.4L V8 producing and of torque. The B7 can accelerate from 0 in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of .

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 and mated to an automatic transmission.

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, 32 B12 5.7s were equipped with Shift Tronic. it produced The carbon fibre hood has cooling vents and a NACA duct.

The Alpina B8 Gran Coupé was available in 2021 and is based on the BMW M850i and M8 Gran Coupé's respectively. Powered by an Alpina tuned version of BMW's S63 4.4L V8 Bi Turbo, the B8 produces and of torque. Alpina tuned suspension and handling provided drivers with a Comfort+ and Sport+ mode for ideal ride comfort and performance. The exterior sports Alpina Classic 21 inch wheels featuring 20 spokes per wheel, Alpina designed front and rear bumpers, and a choice of Alpina blue or green metallic paint. The interior features Alpina trim appointments, custom Alpina leather upholstery, and or BMW Individual trims and upholstery.

Model Engine Power Torque Years ProductionB12 5.0 V12 6/1990 5/199497B12 5.7 V12 11/1992 11/199657

With production of the BMW Z8 completed by November 2002, for 2003 the Z8 production was replaced by the Alpina Roadster V8. Only 555 of these Alpinas were built, 450 of which were exported to the U. S. market and only eight to the UK. In the United States, this special edition of the Z8 was sold directly through BMW dealerships, marking a first for Alpina, whose cars had never been sold through retail channels in the U. S.