- Alpina will debut its own take on the updated 7-Series soon.
- The next-generation X7, due in 2027, is already in the plan.
- BMW says future Alpinas will not compete with its M division.
Now that Alpina sits fully within the BMW Group, the brand is entering a new chapter, one that appears to lean heavily into flagship luxury. The focus is moving toward high-end interpretations of the 7-Series and X7, setting the tone for what comes next.
Earlier this month, Alpina revealed its first model since the integration, a send-off version of the existing XB7 built to mark the end of its production run. The ultra-exclusive model is capped to just 120 units.
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When asked about future plans, BMW’s head of research and development, Joachim Post, revealed that the company “will bring Alpina from the top,” noting that it “will start from the 7-Series and X7.” AutoExpress that the next 7-Series-based model will arrive first, followed by an updated version of the next-generation X7 due next year.
Speed, Luxury, And Comfort
2026 Alpina XB7 Manufaktur
Recent spy shots suggest a facelifted 7-Series is imminent, likely debuting at next month’s Beijing Auto Show. That timing makes it all but certain the next Alpina variant will be based on the updated model rather than the outgoing version, though exactly how far the changes will go remains unclear.
Alpina’s most recent take on the 7-Series sedan was the B7, produced between 2016 and 2022. It was based on the high-end 750Li and came equipped with a 600-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8. In addition to the engine upgrades, the B7 included recalibrated air suspension, a tweaked design, and an updated interior. Similar modifications can be expected for the next 7 Series-based Alpina.
“Alpina is always different [to BMW M] in the past,” Post said when explaining why the brand won’t be an M rival. “BMW M is for the race track, and Alpina we talk about speed, not sport. Speed, comfort, and luxury. But completely different from M. [It] fits very well. We have the sporty side of M, and the other one is speed, luxury, comfort and individualisation, that’s how we take Alpina from X7 and 7 Series. You will see what’s coming.”
