BMW presented an impressive Vision Alpina GT coupe concept at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This indicates a radical change of direction for the Alpina brand, which for a long time was associated with understated luxury and quietly tuned hot performance.
A New Vision for Alpina
Comments tend to agree that this is a return to form for BMW design, although it didn’t stop us from visually transforming the concept into a wagon. Let’s look at this in more detail.
Reaching for the Stars
While some may question Munich’s new grand vision for Alpina, the reality is that it expands the possibilities for bespoke products. Simply put, Alpina now has the freedom to compete with Bentley and Aston Martin.
At 204.7 inches (5200 mm) long, the Vision coupe concept has the scale to grab anyone’s attention, but we stretched it even further to emphasize the impact, stance, and accommodate its elongated glass roof. Good details, such as the slanted front end with double kidney grilles and the sculpted hood, remain, while chrome elements have been added to solidify its luxurious intent.
The Magic of Eight Cylinders
In a breath of fresh air, BMW avoided the fully electric path and equipped the Vision Alpina with a thundering V8. Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk confirmed that the concept is built on the discontinued 8-Series Gran Coupe platform. Specifications have not been disclosed yet, but aside from the platform, any production version would likely use a modified 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged engine from the M5.
Expect partial electrification to remain, with the M5’s plug-in hybrid system helping to send at least 727 hp (535 kW) and 1000 Nm of torque to all four wheels. The current range from the 18.6 kWh battery is around 25 miles (40 km), though we expect Alpina’s sleek styling to improve that figure.
Practical Luxury
While it’s not quite a minivan in elegant clothing, the extra length configured in our study helps turn it into a practical cargo vehicle with seating for five. Ideally, it would offer over 21 cubic feet or 600 liters of leather-trimmed cargo space, complete with a set of chrome hooks, tie-down points, and power outlets.
In the front of the cabin, passengers are greeted by the updated BMW Panoramic iDrive display, where the central screen is now symmetrical. The display stretching from pillar to pillar still encompasses the instrument cluster, but the graphics are specific to Alpina.
Feeling spiritual? Alpina used pure crystal for many of the controls, and surfaces are dominated by rich grained leathers, polished finishes, and Art Deco-style ambient lighting.
A Unique Proposition
If Alpina ever decided to test the waters in the luxury shooting brake segment, it would have the market almost entirely to itself. Sure, there is the Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo and, possibly, a limited production version of the Genesis G90 Wingback Concept, but an Alpina version could stand above both, trading the practicality of a sport wagon for something closer to a bespoke grand tourer with a longer roof and the cabin that Bentley buyers expect.
Would you like to see Alpina offer a large shooting brake? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
BMW’s Vision Alpina concept demonstrates a bold step towards bespoke luxury, challenging established players like Bentley. While series production of such a model remains questionable, the very idea of combining a powerful V8, a luxurious interior, and a practical shooting brake body looks very appealing against the backdrop of general electrification. This could become a unique niche for Alpina, allowing it to stand out from competitors and offer something truly special for connoisseurs.