With Alpina's New 7-Series, You'll Never Think About An M7 Again

For decades, Alpina worked independently of BMW, but maintained a close relationship with the German brand and built some incredible BMW-based models. Now, BMW fully owns Alpina, and work is well underway on its first model under the new ownership. This new car, based on the updated 7-Series, is shaping up to be rather special.

These new spy shots offer a glimpse of the luxury sedan's design and show how it will stand out from a regular 7-Series. The changes start at the front, where this prototype, snapped near BMW's test center at the Nürburgring, has unique amber LED daytime running lights. Though it's possible these lights may not make their way into the production model, we suspect they will, serving as an obvious differentiator between the Alpina model and a normal 7-Series. The re-launched Alpina brand previewed its future with the stunning Vision Alpina concept in May, and that car also had amber DRLs, so this may become a signature of all future Alpina models.

Other changes are visible. This prototype's large kidney grilles have only three horizontal slats, compared with the seven on the standard 7-Series. The lower part of the bumper and the bottom air intake also appear unique to this car. It is also rolling on a set of eye-catching black wheels with silver elements, ensuring it stands out even further from the base car. Modifications made to the rear of the car appear to be more limited and include Alpina's familiar oval-shaped tailpipes. The production model may also feature a new rear bumper.

Alpina's previous 7-Series-based B7 was built between 2016 and 2022 and came standard with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 from the 750Li, upgraded to deliver 600 horsepower. Earlier this month, BMW unveiled the new M760 xDrive in the U.S., equipped with the latest version of this twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 producing around 570 hp and arriving standard with all-wheel drive.

The new Alpina will likely be based on this model and use the same basic engine, albeit slightly fettled to increase horsepower and torque. In typical Alpina fashion, the car will benefit from much more than engine modifications. The brand has always perfectly balanced sporty and dynamic handling with comfort and poise, and we expect nothing less of its new 7-Series model. We also wouldn't count on this prototype's wheels to make the production car, and a set of traditional, tightly-spoked Alpina wheels, seem more likely.

BMW hasn't confirmed a launch date for the new Alpina 7-Series, but it will probably be unveiled next year. If a high-end luxury sedan isn't to your taste, BMW confirmed earlier this year that Alpina will also launch its own version of the next-generation X7, tipped to launch in 2027.

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