Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, popularly known as BMW, a German automobile manufacturer, is a known name in the automotive industry. The brand name ‘BMW’ is synonymous with luxury vehicles and over the course of its history which dates back to 1916, has produced millions of vehicles. BMW vehicles are made with state-of-the-art technology and the brand has expanded with the introduction of modern luxury vehicles including motorcycles.
The expansion of the BMW brand has seen the introduction of several subsidiaries and Alpina BMW is a known name among the list. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and learn all about the subsidiary of the luxury vehicle manufacturer.
Brief History of Alpina BMW
BMW made a name for itself with cutting-edge technology and its deep lineup of luxury cars. With time, BMW adapted to the changes and you can find several luxury electric cars with the brand name. One of the expansion steps for BMW was increasing subsidiaries over time.
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co, founded by Burkard Bovensiepen on 1st January 1965 in Germany, started off as a parts supplier for BMW. Alpina initially started as a typewriting group and the BMWs were tuned on the factory’s backside. Not much longer, it developed a Weber dual carburettor which was used in the BMW 1500. The carburettor was licenced and used in BMW vehicles with a factory guarantee.
What started with a carburettor eventually became the stepping stone for the start of a long-running partnership which is still ongoing. Alpina BMW now produces between 1200 to 1700 vehicles every year which are transported all over the world. On 10th March 2022, BMW announced the acquittal of Alpina and gained rights to the brand.
What Makes BMW Alpina Vehicles Unique
While BMW has a unique vehicle lineup of its own, Alpina produces customised models of the luxury brand. From engine to car upholstery, the BMW Alpina models are fairly different from the original ones. Listed below are the major techniques used by Alpina that makes its vehicles unique:
ENGINEERING DESIGN
Alpina vehicles are customised and high-performance versions of original BMW models. All engines used in BMW Alpina are assembled by hand. The production process involves thorough research and development. Additionally, quality training is provided to the workers before they step foot in the vehicle production plant.
PROTOTYPING
Car components play an important part in aerodynamics and efficiency. At Alpina BMW, every design is started from scratch to meet the requirements of the pertaining model. Wind tunnel testing is also carried out to ensure every detail is perfect and fulfils modern requirements.
HIGH TECH TEST BAYS
Alpina BMW plant is equipped with state-of-the-art testing facilities. Before a car is assembled, all car engine parts go through a clearance test to ensure they are safe to use in a vehicle. Alpina car engines traditionally achieve more power and the development cycle of the engine is 2 years.
LEATHER AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
With BMW Alpina, customers have the choice to opt for handcrafted upholstery. People who wish to add more luxury to their BMW Alpina vehicle can ask for embossments, stitchings, liners, and seams to be customised as per their preferences. The handcrafted work turns BMW Alpina vehicles into unique cars.
Additionally, Alpina vehicles also come with Lavalina leather upholstery. The popular kind of leather provides comfort, humidity control and temperature balancing.
Alpina BMW Logo
Although Alpina is a subsidiary of BMW, it has its unique logo emphasising heritage and individuality. The Alpina emblem is in a white circle while there’s a black layer with the words ‘Alpina’. All letters are in capital case which portrays the brand as stable and powerful.
The white colour in the inner circle represents loyalty and purity while the black frame is a representation of the brand’s responsibility and strength. Check out these meaningful car logos to learn more about other famous car brands.
Alpina BMW Models
The Alpina car models have been out on the roads for a long time. Many customised versions of the original models have been released. Listed below are the BMW models customised and released by Alpina BMW.
- Models based on BMW 3 Series – E21, E30, E36, E46, E90, E91, E92, E93, F30, F31
- Models based on BMW 4 Series – F32, F33
- Models based on BMW 5 Series – E12, E28, E34, E39, E60, E61, F10, F11, G30, G31
- Models based on BMW 6 Series – E63, E64, F12, F13, F06
- Models based on BMW 7 Series – E32, E65, E66, F01, F02, G12
- Models based on BMW 8 Series – E31
- Models based on BMW X Series – G01, G02
- Models based on BMW Roadster – Z1, Z8 (E52), Z4 (E85)
While the customised models can be intriguing, the original models still hold a charm. You can buy any of the original BMW models at reasonable prices. Check out the following:
- Used BMW 3 Series for sale in the UAE
- Used BMW 4 Series for sale in the UAE
- Used BMW 5 Series for sale in the UAE
- Used BMW 6 Series for sale in the UAE
- Used BMW 7 Series for sale in the UAE
- Used BMW 8 Series for sale in the UAE
This was everything you needed to know about Alpina BMW. With more powerful engines, higher torque and performance, the Alpina BMW models have gathered fame. The handcrafted upholstery adds more uniqueness to the luxury brand. You can also browse through BMW facts to learn more about the parent brand.
If you want to add the luxury Alpina BMW or any other luxury vehicle to your car collection, check out these used cars for sale in the UAE and select from a wide variety of vehicles listed.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for information about car brands and more.
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