Words: Kyle Cassidy
Published 12 May 2026
BMW is preparing to reveal a bold new vision for Alpina, with the covers set to come off a striking concept car at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 15.
Known as the Vision BMW Alpina, the concept marks the first major presentation for the Alpina brand since BMW officially took ownership in January, signalling the beginning of a new chapter for the long-running luxury performance specialist.
A teaser image released ahead of the reveal points to a sleek grand touring coupe with a long, elegant silhouette. The proportions appear similar to the now-discontinued BMW 8 Series Coupe and the limited-production BMW Speedtop, while also hinting at bespoke front and rear lighting designs that could become exclusive signatures for future Alpina models.
Read more – BMW ALPINA is born, and it could mark the return of the V8 flagship
The teaser suggests upcoming Alpina vehicles may become more visually distinct from their BMW counterparts than previous generations. Historically, Alpina models such as the BMW Alpina B3 were relatively understated, differing from standard BMW models through subtle styling tweaks, upgraded interiors and enhanced performance.
This latest concept could indicate a broader shift in strategy, with Alpina potentially moving towards more bespoke low-volume vehicles rather than simply reworking existing BMW products.
Joachim Post,BMW Group R&D chief, recently outlined the future direction for Alpina, saying the brand “will talk not about sport but speed, comfort and luxury”, remaining faithful to the character that has long defined Alpina vehicles.
Although BMW has not confirmed what platform underpins the concept, its size and proportions appear closer to the former 8 Series than the smaller BMW 4 Series Coupe. Should a production version eventuate, it would likely use an existing BMW architecture rather than being a completely bespoke model due to the expected low production volumes.
Reports from overseas suggest the first next-generation Alpina production models will be based on the BMW 7 Series and upcoming BMW X7, positioning the brand closer to rivals such as Mercedes-Maybach in the ultra-luxury space.
The concept is also expected to retain traditional Alpina styling cues, including updated versions of the brand’s signature multi-spoke wheels and iconic side stripes, which are reportedly set to become hand-painted in future models.
While electrification is expected to eventually play a role in Alpina’s future, early indications suggest this concept retains combustion power beneath its long bonnet. Teasers shared through Alpina’s social media channels appear to show the marque’s trademark quad exhaust outlets, fuelling speculation that a V8 engine could feature under the skin.
If approved for production, the luxury coupe would likely sit above conventional BMW models in both exclusivity and pricing, though still below the ultra-luxury territory occupied by Rolls-Royce.
