The automaker’s 8 Series may be gone, but its spiritual successor is already taking shape.
The spiritual successor to the BMW 8 Series is expected to come from BMW’s newly minted BMW Alpina subbrand, and it will adopt styling cues from the Vision BMW Alpina concept shown in May .
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After decades of cooperation, BMW effectively acquired the storied Alpina tuning house in 2022 and finalized the deal early this year . But instead of simply continuing to enhance existing models as Alpina had done for decades, BMW is focusing the bulk of its initial efforts on creating a distinct BMW Alpina model, which is coming next year in a luxury segment not covered by BMW’s existing product lineup, according to Philip Koehn, senior vice president Head of Product Line BMW Luxury Class Vehicles, BMW Alpina, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
A new-generation BMW Alpina version of the recently discontinued 8 Series makes sense given that there has been no announcement of a direct BMW replacement.
BMW Alpina Vision Concept is Striking
The BMW Alpina Vision concept that the 8 Series–inspired model will likely derive much of its styling from is a large, four-passenger coupe with V-8 power. BMW has described the concept as inspired by the 7 Series, and given that the previous Alpina B7 sedan was 7 Series–based, it makes sense. It also makes sense that the new BMW Alpina will use the 7 Series platform.
The 8 Series was offered in two-door and four-door Gran Coupe versions, so it remains to be seen how BMW will develop the first model, which will come with numerous Alpina signature cues such as its distinctive striping, but they’ll now be painted lines under the clear-coat.
Although Koehn said the Vision BMW Alpina is a one-off concept, he confirmed that it offers a pretty good idea of what the first new BMW Alpina model will look like. During a media roundtable after the global reveal of the new 2027 BMW X5 , Koehn said reaction to the Alpina Vision and the BMW Alpina effort in general has been positive thus far. That includes from dealers who have been shown the concept as well as an Alpina variant of its coming new-generation BMW X7, which would be a successor to the XB7 SUV (below) that is in its final model year.
The present Alpina XB7 is built at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, home of the BMW X3, X5, X6, X7, XM, and electric versions of some of the SUVs. Koehn would not say if a future XB7 would continue to be built at the U.S. plant.
The Alpina treatment gives models a distinctive look and takes them more upscale , while offering speed and a comfortable driving experience. BMW Alpina as a brand will offer luxury models that slot above BMW but below Rolls-Royce, said Koehn, who describes his job as overseeing the “candy shop of BMW.” That means BMW Alpina vehicles would live in the $160,000 to $340,000 price range, competing with the Mercedes-Maybach brand.