BMW ALPINA B7: end of production of an icon

Few automobile classes have exerted such a fascination as the BMW 7 series. And few BMW models have been such a perfect fit for the ALPINA philosophy: innovative, luxurious, comfortable, yet extremely high performance, without ever being obtrusive. It’s no wonder that ALPINA founder Burkard Bovensiepen embraced this model series with such enthusiasm when the first BMW 7 series automobile was launched in 1977, and that it provided the inspiration for such outstanding BMW ALPINA models over six model generations. With the latest change in the BMW G11/12 series to the G70 generation, the era of the BMW ALPINA B7 is coming to an end in the ALPINA automobile manufactory. We look back at the fascinating automobiles which came about in Buchloe on the basis of the BMW 7 series.

Six model generations

It all started in 1977 with the BMW E23 model series. Burkard Bovensiepen immediately recognised the potential of the new series for ALPINA and, together with then chief engineer Dr Fritz Indra, set about applying the ALPINA philosophy to the BMW top model – with a significant increase in performance, a comprehensively re-engineered suspension and the classic ALPINA components for interior and exterior. The result was a true automotive masterpiece, which was followed by another five extraordinary model generations. In the photo gallery, we present all the BMW ALPINA 7 series automobiles developed and produced in Buchloe from the 1970s to today.

 

 

A crowning finish: the BMW ALPINA B7 (G12)

“The BMW ALPINA B7 in its final stage of development marks a personal high point in the model history of the 7 series at ALPINA. This model is the culmination of everything that ALPINA and the 7 series at BMW stands for,” says Florian Bovensiepen, ALPINA CEO, upon the collection of the last BMW ALPINA B7 to be built in the Dingolfing plant. BMW plant manager Christoph Schröder hands over the last two models in the iconic ALPINA Green and Blue paint finishes to the two Bovensiepen brothers and joint CEOs personally. “ALPINA and the Dingolfing plant are connected by a long and deep partnership. We produced over 2,000 automobiles of the highest quality of the last B7 model generation alone here, which have been further refined and personalised in the manufactory in Buchloe. When I look at the last ALPINA green BMW ALPINA B7, soon to be making its way to Scottsdale in Arizona, I see a milestone in our collaboration,” says Andreas Bovensiepen at the ceremonial handover.

Manufactory packages

But before the final BMW ALPINA B7 automobiles make their way to their lucky owners, they are given the finishing touch in the manufactory in Buchloe: assembly steps that cannot be integrated into the production line at BMW are done by hand in Buchloe. Each model is individually approved, with personalised interiors made a reality in the in-house leather workshop. Every fifth BMW ALPINA B7 of the latest model generation sold outside of the United States had a high-quality personalised LAVALINA leather interior. The last one-of-a-kind B7 automobiles are currently being given the finishing touches by hand in the ALPINA leather workshop.

 

 

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions BMW ALPINA B7 (G12)*:

Fuel consumption NEDC correlated combined 11.1 l/100 km / 25.4 mpg, CO2 emissions NEDC correlated combined 253 g/km, efficiency category F (Germany), fuel consumption WLTP combined 11.6 l/100 km / 24.4 mpg, CO2 emissions WLTP combined 264 g/km.

Stated fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are measured pursuant to EU Regulation 715/2007 in its applicable version. For more information see www.ALPINA.de/DAT-Hinweis.