BMW Alpina Officially Announced as New Standalone Performance Brand

BMW has officially taken full control of the Alpina performance brand, starting from Jan 1, 2026, onwards.

BMW has officially announced the full takeover of the Alpina performance brand, marking the end of a 60-year-old dynasty founded by the Bovensiepen family. Now known as BMW Alpina, this famous performance brand will become what BMW described as “an exclusive standalone brand,” with future models set to focus on a “unique balance of maximum performance and superior driving comfort.”

Dubbed the most potent Alpina model ever, the Alpina B8 GT is the final standalone model created by the firm before the full acquisition by BMW Group.

Founded in Munich back in 1965, Alpina became famous for its extensively modified versions of BMW cars, with the firm’s final standalone model being the Alpina B8 GT unveiled back in Jan 2025, which was dubbed the most potent model it has ever made.

News of BMW Group’s full acquisition of the Alpina brand surfaced a few years back, as the agreement between the Bavarian automaker and the Bovensiepen family expired at the end of 2025. Through this full acquisition, BMW Alpina will sit alongside other brands under BMW Group’s portfolio, such as MINI and Rolls-Royce, with the early focus set on “brand activation.”

While there are no official details regarding any future product plans, BMW has already been preparing for its expansion, with former Polestar design head Max Missoni having been appointed as the brand’s new design boss.

That said, it remains to be seen how BMW Group will try to differentiate BMW Alpina from BMW’s own M brand, although the automaker said that “key elements of the BMW Alpina brand are its unique balance of maximum performance and superior ride comfort, combined with hallmark driving characteristics.”

BMW Group further added that there will also be a “remarkable portfolio” of bespoke options available, with a focus on high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship—each will make a BMW Alpina vehicle “an exclusive object for connoisseurs in pursuit of the extraordinary, without compromises on performance, comfort, and individuality.”