The Alpina B8 GT is a tribute to the firm’s founder

Published: 16 January 2025

► The last Alpina before it’s absorbed by BMW
►More power and performance revisions for flagship
► Oh, and lots of signatures of Alpina’s founder

Alpina has unveiled the B8 GT as its most powerful car ever and its last car before it becomes officially part of BMW

The B8 is the next in the line of BMWs to get the ‘GT’ treatment as a final hurrah to the brand as we know it, and follows on from the B5 GT and B3 GT. Alpina says it’s a tribute to its late founder Burkard Bovensiepen.

Just 99 will be produced, costing from €225,000 (£190,000) in Germany. 

Tell me about Alpina’s founder

Alpina was founded 60 years ago by Burkard Bovensiepen and became officially recognised as a standalone manufacturer since 1983. 

Renowned for working on fine-tuning BMWs with more power, discreet sporty styling and interior upgrades, it’s carved out a niche market and is highly respected in the automotive world. With BMW soon to be taking full control of Alpina, the B8 GT is seen is the end of its current era. 

So what is the B8 GT then?

The B8 GT starts out life as a BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and then is heavily upgraded both mechanically and cosmetically. The Alpina B8 was first revealed back in 2021 but has now had a host of changes to make it the GT. 

Key to this is its 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 being fettled to produce 625bhp and 630lb ft of torque – up 13bhp and 37lb ft. It not only makes it the most powerful version of the 8 Series yet but also the joint most powerful Alpina ever alongside the B5 GT. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 3.3 seconds and flat out it can hit 205mph. Did someone say perfect autobahn car?

Alpina B8 GT

The improved figures come from new flow-optimised airboxes and the resulting improved boost pressure, as well as a revised throttle response and power delivery. The eight-speed ZF auto ‘box has also been revised for its greater torque and for quicker launches.

Any other mechanical changes?

Alpina isn’t all about just extra power and leaving it at that, so other revisions include a more rear-biased torque distribution and a revised suspension setup that aims to bring greater differentiation between the Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes. 

The sports exhaust has also been fettled with a new centre silencer for a more ‘nuanced, sportive sound’. 

What about how it looks?

At first glance the B8 GT doesn’t look all that different to a standard Alpina B8, but there are various changes when you know where to look. 

There are lots of new carbon-fibre elements, including the air ducts and the front diffuser. Alpina’s trademark forged alluminium alloy wheels are present and finished in a new satin finish. Subtle Alpina lettering completes the look, while the door sills feature Burkard Bovensiepen’s signature. 

Alpina B8 GT

What isn’t so subtle is the slightly wild two-tone paint finish made up of Alpina Blue or Alpina Green combined with Black Sapphire paint. Just 20 of the 99 B8 GTs being produced will be painted in this bi-colour finish. 

And the interior?

Moving inside, the B8 GT gets a full leather and Alcantara interior available in four colours and with signatures of Alpina’s founder in the front seats. You’ll notice a theme here. Wood interior trim, an Alpina staple, is standard and each car comes with two bespoke Alpina weekend bags. 

Alpina B8 GT

It also comes with a specially designed chronograph from Swiss watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer with an integrated Alpina logo within it. Just 99 of these are being produced, one for every car. 

What happens to Alpina next?

BMW announced in March 2022 that Alpina would become integrated within the Munich-based carmaker. However, because of a long-standing cooperation between Alpina and BMW, last signed in late 2020 and lasting for five years, Alpina will continue to be a standalone brand until the end of 2025. 

Since the 2022 announcement, few further details have been announced and it’s unknown as to how the company will operate when integrated directly within BMW. However, the firm has said that Alpina’s operations will continue at its home of Buchloe, an hour west of Munich, in the ‘long term’. 

BMW added at the time: “There will be no changes to the existing aftersales cooperation. As part of a strategic cooperation between the two companies, there will be a further expansion of the existing development services business for BMW out of Buchloe.”

By Ted Welford

Senior staff writer at CAR and our sister website Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny

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