The Alpina brand’s storied history intertwined closely with BMW was founded by Burkard Bovensiepen in 1965, Alpina began as a tuning company with a focus on enhancing the performance of BMW vehicles. Bovensiepen’s venture into the automotive industry started with the development of a Weber dual carburetor for the BMW 1500, which caught the attention of BMW’s senior engineers. Recognizing the potential of Bovensiepen’s work, BMW approved the carburetor as an official accessory, marking the beginning of a long and prosperous partnership.

Burkard Bovensiepen, the son of a typewriter manufacturer, initially pursued a career in the family’s business before his passion for cars led him to explore the world of automotive engineering. In 1962, he developed the aforementioned dual carburetor, which significantly improved the performance of the BMW 1500. This innovation not only earned Bovensiepen recognition but also laid the foundation for Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG, officially established in 1965. Alpina’s mission was clear from the outset: to create high-performance variants of BMW vehicles that combined superior driving dynamics with luxury and exclusivity. The collaboration between Alpina and BMW is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in the automotive industry and to mark this and future projects, the rights to the Alpina brand was purchased by BMW in 2022, further creating a stronghold in their long lasting partnership.

Unlike many tuning companies, Alpina’s modifications are so extensive that their vehicles are considered manufacturers in their own right, with unique VIN numbers and specific model designations. This close relationship allows them to integrate their enhancements seamlessly into BMW’s production process such as, significant engine tuning, suspension adjustments, and aesthetic refinements to achieve a distinct blend of performance and luxury. 

We have seen automotive partnerships create lasting business relationships creating remarkable products. For example, Mercedes-Benz and AMG have collaborated to create high-performance variants of Mercedes vehicles, resulting in the creation of the Mercedes-AMG sub-brand. So as BMW-Alpina team up to make renowned iterations, the automotive space has reaped in the high standards of quality and reliability associated with the BMW brand. 

Alpina has created several iconic models based on BMW’s various series, each exemplifying the brand’s commitment to performance and luxury. The most notable models include those based on the 3-Series, 5-Series, 7-Series, and 8-Series.