Skip to main content

The Quiet Powerhouse: How the ALPINA XB7 Became BMW’s Undisputed Champion

ALPINA has long been defined by its subtle prestige and exclusivity. Though exact sales figures have remained a well-guarded secret, only adding to the brand’s mystique, we know that roughly 40,000 of the 60,000 cars built since Burkard Bovensiepen founded the company are still on the road today. However, the last five years have seen a powerful shift in the brand’s success, driven almost entirely by one model: the massive and luxurious ALPINA XB7.

The XB7: A Smash Hit from Day One

The arrival of the XB7 in 2020 marked a turning point for ALPINA, quickly becoming the brand’s heaviest hitter. According to the brand's North American representative, the luxobarge has been an undeniable success, completely selling out its allotted supply for each of its first five model years. This staggering demand confirms that ALPINA has been able to fully fill every build slot allocated at the Spartanburg plant. Built alongside the regular BMW X7 M60i at the dedicated "SVO (Special Vehicle Ops)" workshop inside the South Carolina facility, the XB7 commands a significant premium, starting at over $157,000—a difference of more than $42,000 compared to its BMW-badged equivalent. This price gap is a testament to the distinct value and exclusivity buyers place on the ALPINA badge.

The Future is Ultra-Luxury and Electric

The overwhelming success of the XB7 is already dictating ALPINA’s future direction, particularly now that the brand has been integrated into the BMW Group. The second-generation XB7, expected later this decade, is reportedly set to move even further upmarket, consciously bridging the luxurious gap between the existing X7 and the ultra-exclusive Rolls-Royce Cullinan. This elevation will likely be marked by significant changes, including a dedicated codename and a rumored shift to a five-seat-only layout. Removing the third row would create an even more luxurious, spacious, and specialized cocoon for rear occupants.

Looking ahead, BMW’s plan is to consolidate the ALPINA portfolio, focusing only on its strongest performers: the XB7 and the returning B7 sedan. These two flagship vehicles will feature new names, new designs, and a new dimension of performance, as both will be offered with a choice of combustion engines and fully electric drivetrains. The electrified future of ALPINA is coming, and it will begin with the models that have already proven they define ultimate, bespoke luxury.

If you are looking for OEM BMW Parts and accessories, such as genuine 2025 BMW X7 parts, check out the BMW Discount Parts Catalog. All products are manufacturer direct from BMW with a nationwide warranty.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 2027 BMW 3 Series Redefines Itself in Gas and Electric

The most significant overhaul in the history of the BMW 3 Series is coming. For the first time, BMW is treating its most iconic nameplate to a parallel transformation, debuting a next-generation gasoline sedan and its all-new electric sibling, the i3 , side-by-side. While prototypes are still heavily camouflaged, the design direction is clear, and it promises to usher in a new era of aesthetics, power, and interior technology. The Neue Klasse Design Language Takes Over If you want a sneak peek at the 2027 3 Series, look no further than the recently unveiled iX3 electric SUV. BMW’s design strategy is aligning its gas and electric models, meaning both the new 3 Series and i3 will embrace the clean, modern look of the Neue Klasse platform. This shift finally moves away from the more contentious kidney grille designs of the recent past, favoring a flatter, tauter aesthetic with tidier proportions and minimal visual clutter. The key difference between the two sedans will be subtle: the com...
Post a Comment
Read more

BMW Unveils New Brand Logo

With every successive geneartion, BMW has updated their brand in the form af a new logo which represents current, and projected, ideals of the company. As of today, BMW has unveiled their latest rendition of their brand logo. As pictured below, the updated BMW logo represents the current generation. According to Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President of the BMW Customer Brand, this updated logo is representative of a younger generation who are digital natives. Additionally, Thiemer stated this update also represents brand mobility and the joy of driving in the future. In addition to an updated BMW logo, the "i" and "M" sub-brand also received their latest renditions which reflect similar ideals as mentioned previously. You can check out the updated renditions below! As with any major design change, whether its a vehicle body style or a brand logo, varying opinions will reflect a wide range of attitudes towards the update. In this case, whether you are a fa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Facelift For Bavarian Police Force BMW Vehicles

For the better part of 20 years, Bavarian police cars were manufactured with silver BMW 3 series vehicles. Prior to the silver color scheme, these vehicles sported a white base coat. Recently, the Bavarian government has decided to revamp their BMW police vehicles in terms of a color scheme. The new color scheme draws inspiration from the nostalgic white base coat used prior to 2003.  Modeled after their previously utilized retro white, blue, and yellow color scheme, new Bavarian BMW police vehicles have gone back to their roots by shedding the apparently outdated silver and green paint job. All new Bavarian police vehicle will be manufactured from BMW 3 Series Touring models with the new color scheme. This shift comes primarily from BMW's discontinuation of the Glacier Silver base color for the 3 series, but a higher resale value for white vehicles might also be a variable.  In contrast to the prior white Bavarian police BMWs, the new vehicles will be manufactured with a Mine...
Post a Comment
Read more