Drivin' in Czechia
All you need to drive smart in the Czech Republic
Alpina has long been known as a maker of high-performance BMWs. It’s not just a specialized tuner or official modifier, but a true car manufacturer with its own distinct VIN numbers, even though its models are essentially extensively modified BMW vehicles. But in 2026, a major shift is coming — Alpina will become a full subsidiary of BMW, which will bring about many changes.
Design of future Alpina models
The brand from Buchloe has been closely tied to BMW for decades, always focusing on Munich-based models, yet always operating as an independent entity. In 2022, however, BMW announced that Alpina would come fully under its wing. The announcement came at a time of great uncertainty in the automotive world, with a forced transition to electric vehicles looming — something that could significantly impact small manufacturers.
However, the actual takeover of Alpina by BMW will happen only in 2026, since the current cooperation agreement remains in effect until the end of this year.
That’s also why BMW hasn’t shared much about its future plans for Alpina. An exception was a statement by Group Head of Design Adrian van Hooydonk for the British magazine Autocar, where he admitted that future Alpina cars will differ more visibly from their BMW counterparts. However, he also mentioned that they should maintain a common design language, which suggests that the stylistic differences will remain mostly cosmetic. The new Alpina brand identity is currently being developed by Maximilian Missoni, formerly of Polestar.
Along with design comes the possible use of a new Alpina logo, which the carmaker had registered some time ago. It’s simpler than the current one — as is customary in today’s branding landscape.
New vehicles for 2026
Let’s take a look at new cars planned for 2026 we already know something about.
Character of the new Alpina models
The new design identity is linked to a potential shift in brand character. There is speculation that Alpina could fill the gap between BMW and Rolls-Royce, becoming a kind of Munich-based alternative to Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Maybach division.
That idea was hinted at years ago by Christian Tschurtschenthaler, then head of the group’s luxury vehicle division, who mentioned in an interview that there’s unoccupied space between the top of BMW and the entry-level Rolls-Royce. He also spoke about a move towards larger, more expensive models, and hinted at a possible end for the current mid-size sedan Alpina B3/D3 based on the BMW 3 Series.
New Alpina models for 2026
We’ll learn more about Alpina’s future under BMW in 2026, when the first cars developed under the new strategy are expected to debut. The very first model is expected to be the new Alpina B7, set to launch alongside the facelift of the base BMW 7-Series. Our AI-generated render offers a glimpse of what it might look like. In addition to the V8 engine, it might also offer an electric version, which would make it the brand’s first EV.
New BMW X7: First info
The new BMW X7 is already taking shape, with prototypes spotted during testing. You can watch them in the attached video, along with other prototypes of future BMW models.
There is also talk of a new generation of the Alpina BX7, expected to debut with the upcoming second generation of the BMW X7, slated for 2027. This model too could receive an electric variant.
What comes next remains unknown. Reportedly, Alpina will not introduce a unique standalone model with no BMW-branded counterpart. But more will become clear within the next few months. That’s when we’ll also find out how much of its current character — powerful yet comfortable BMWs — the brand will retain.
