Latest news with #Alpina
Top Gear
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Alpina is back! Sort of! Meet the 603bhp, BMW M4-based Bovensiepen Zagato
Alpina is back! Sort of! Meet the 603bhp, BMW M4-based Bovensiepen Zagato Alpina's founding family returns with a powerful GT designed by Zagato Skip 20 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 20 Meet the brand new Bovensiepen Zagato, a product of a small outfit working out of Buchloe in Bavaria. Which is in Germany. It is a powerful, 603bhp two-door GT, and it is – oh, right, the name. 'The name Bovensiepen is no stranger in the automotive industry,' said the company, 'and now it stands for a manufacturer of exceptional automobiles that embody the concept of 'fine driving'.' Advertisement - Page continues below That's right, Alpina's founding family – the Bovensiepens – have started their own company having sold that beloved name to BMW back in 2022. The first offering? A… BMW. But it is no ordinary BMW, because Bovensiepen has tasked Zagato with reshaping the BMW M4 into something quite unique, and entirely out of carbon fibre. And one that wants to bring back some of the allure of the automobile. 'As two family businesses, we still view the automobile through romantic eyes,' said Andrea Zagato. 'Today, many vehicles are highly standardised, and their romance is being lost.' To rekindle that romance, Zagato chief designer Norihiko Harada ushered in 'a kind of mixture of Italian flair, a kind of sexy and soft design, and a German, very solid, almost architectural structure'. Advertisement - Page continues below The first thing that'll strike you is Zagato's studious binning of the M4's kidney grille, replacing it with a single, streamlined intake supplemented by a pair of huge cheeks for side intakes. There are new headlights. A U-shaped vent in the bonnet. And the obligatory double-bubble roof and rear window because Zagato. The rear's been almost squared off compared to its BMW sibling, with a straighter cut bottom end where the old diffuser sat, new rear headlights, fins on either side and an elegant ducktail spoiler. The quad tailpipes are present and correct, mind. Tailipipes stuck on the end of a new lightweight Akrapovic exhaust system that cuts 40 per cent from the M4's stock exhaust weight and is said to reduce back pressure 'significantly'. That's married to a few other unlisted mods to boost the Bimmer's 3.0-litre turbo six from 523bhp to 603bhp and 516lb ft. That chops but two tenths off the M4's 0-62mph time – now 3.3s – and uncorks a top speed of beyond 186mph. Bovensiepen's bolted in Bilsten dampers offering three driving modes – comfort, sport and sport plus – and fitted 20in forged wheels. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email* Neither Bovensiepen nor Zagato appear to have messed with the M4's interior, but have layered it in copious amounts of leather and aluminium and blue. Naturally each car can be personalised to your heart's content. And each car will take over 250 hours to complete. How much you'll pay for such extravagance has yet to be revealed, nor how many of these will be built. But it's the start of something new for Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen. 'In the future, Bovensiepen will realize exciting automotive projects that combine precision and harmony in the form of timeless design and outstanding engineering,' said this small outfit working out of Buchloe in Bavaria. And what about Alpina? New BMW designer and ex-Polestar man Max Missoni is in charge of carving out the cult tuner's new identity. "I'm really confident that this will be an exciting journey with Alpina," Missoni told "When we dove into the brand and all its peculiarities, there were so many wonderfully whimsical things to discover, beyond the technology and performance side but also on the design and storytelling side. There are many new brands that struggle to be seen and heard because they have no history or relevance. Alpina might be small but it still creates an emotional connection."
Motor 1
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Zagato Made a Prettier BMW M4 With a Double Bubble Roof
We typically associate modern shooting brakes with Zagato's stunning cars, but the Speedtop unveiled this past weekend at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este was an all-BMW effort based on the M8. The legendary Italian coachbuilder also attended the annual event held on the shores of Lake Como to introduce a different car. Coincidentally, also a BMW beneath the surface. Say hello to the Bovensiepen Zagato. If the Bovensiepen name sounds familiar, it's because the company was created by brothers Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen, sons of the late Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen , who passed away in October 2023. While Alpina now operates under the BMW Group umbrella, Andreas and Florian are venturing out with a new firm, which is also headquartered in Buchloe. Their first project is a collaboration with Zagato, based on the M4. Photo by: Rather than using the coupe as the foundation, Bovensiepen took the convertible and removed its electrically folding fabric roof. You can tell it's based on the droptop because it lacks B-pillars. Additionally, the small rear-side windows go down, enhancing the distinctive character of a pillarless coupe. Zagato's signature double-bubble roof, a design motif dating back to the 1950s, replaces the factory soft top. The curvature of the rear glass and the integrated rear spoiler signal that this is no ordinary M4. Newly designed 20-inch forged wheels further distinguish it from the donor car. Still, the laser taillights unmistakably reveal its M4 origins, even if the bodywork is entirely new. Most panels are crafted from carbon fiber, and a redesigned front end features an elongated hood with a U-shaped vent. We can all agree that the absence of oversized kidney grilles is refreshing. BMW itself did a current-generation M4 with a different take on the controversial front grille. In 2022, it celebrated 50 years of M with the retro-flavored 3.0 CSL . So, who wore it better? Bovensiepen Zagato Photo by: BMW 3.0 CSL Bovensiepen and Zagato have also developed a more aggressive rear diffuser, flanked by dual exhaust tips from a titanium Akrapovič system that reduces weight by 40 percent compared to the M4's standard exhaust. The wraparound design at both ends gives the car a fresh identity, though the interior remains unmistakably BMW . Blue leather and Alcantara trim the cabin, but the embellishments can't completely disguise its origins, not that there's anything wrong with that. Under the hood lies an upgraded S58 engine: a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six producing 602 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. That's more horsepower than the 3.0 CSL, BMW's most powerful inline-six production car to date. It also delivers more torque than the M4 CS . Bovensiepen quotes a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed exceeding 186 mph (300 km/h). Since it's based on the M4 Convertible, this new coupe with Italian flair comes exclusively with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 2026 Bovensiepen Zagato at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 18 Source: Transforming the M4 Convertible into the Bovensiepen Zagato takes more than 250 hours, so it's safe to assume the car won't come cheap. Pricing and production numbers will be announced in the fourth quarter of the year. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of next year. A base M4 Convertible in the United States already starts at nearly $100,000, so this 'strictly limited' grand tourer will venture deep into six-figure territory. As for the future of the historic Alpina brand, BMW has indicated plans to move the niche marque further upmarket. Under this new direction, which aims to position Alpina as a bridge between BMW and Rolls-Royce , lower-end models based on the 3 Series and 4 Series could be phased out. As a result, expect the new Alpina to focus on BMW's largest vehicles, such as the 7 Series and X7. 2026 Bovensiepen Zagato 27 Source: Bovensiepen Automobile The Last Alpina Products Before The BMW Era: The B8 GT Is Alpina's Most Powerful Car Ever Alpina Boosts the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series to 529 HP Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Bovensiepen Automobile Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Alpina founders reveal stunning coachbuilt BMW M4 with 443kW
The founders of BMW's wholly owned tuning house, Alpina, have revealed this gorgeous – and much more powerful – coachbuilt version of the German brand's already-rapid M4 Coupe. With the Bovensiepen family having sold Alpina to BMW, they've now teamed up with famous Italian design house Zagato to produce this gorgeous BMW M4-based grand tourer, simply dubbed the Bovensiepen Zagato. Revealed at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza on Italy's Lake Como over the weekend, the first product from the Bovensiepens' independent coachbuilding business delivers 443kW of power and 700Nm of torque from its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. As is the way of the former Alpina tuners, that's significantly more than both the standard M4 manual (353kW/550Nm) and the top-shelf M4 Competition xDrive auto (390kW/650Nm), which is priced at $189,900 before on-road costs in Australia. Bovensiepen says the result is 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.3 seconds (0.2 seconds sooner than the M4 Competition) and a top speed of more than 300km/h – up from 292km/h. The powertrain gains come in part from a lightweight twin-exit titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic, which is claimed to be 40 lighter than the standard system. Bespoke three-mode Bilstein dampers help harness the extra performance. Bovensiepen claims the Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus settings deliver "a range from pronounced comfort to athletic driving dynamics". But the sleek new Zagato-designed body will likely attract even more attention than this coupe's Akrapovic exhaust. As part of the Bovensiepen family's aim to become "a manufacturer of outstanding automobiles that embody the ambition of fine driving", the Zagato features all-new body panels to make it look significantly different to the mid-size German coupe on which it's based. Said to combine Bavarian engineering with Italian design, Zagato's latest creation features the Milan-based company's trademark 'double bubble' roof and rear window, and a reshaped bonnet and bootlid with integrated rear spoiler, plus a stainless steel grille and fully retractable frameless windows. It bears the Bovensiepen logo on its front and rear, there are Zagato badges on the front wing gills and further branding can be seen on the brake calipers, wheel hubs, boot and centre console, which houses a special build number plaque alongside extra lashings of carbon-fibre. An exact production number has not been revealed, but Bovensiepen says its inaugural special edition will be "strictly" limited after first deliveries take place at the end of the second quarter of 2026. A long list of personalisation options will also be available for the interior and exterior, allowing each vehicle to be "as unique as its owner", says Bovensiepen. "Our goal is to build cars for connoisseurs and enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect symbiosis of design and technology," said Bovensiepen Automobiles CEO, Andreas Bovensiepen. Zagato's chief designer Norihiko Harada said: "It's a kind of blend of Italian charm, sensual and soft design, with a very solid, almost architectural German structure… a beautiful fusion of two automotive cultures. Established in the 1920, Zagato has previously worked with automakers including Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati and Lancia. "This project with the Bovensiepen family is particularly special, as it continues the legacy of blending Zagato DNA with that of a new and inspiring brand, starting from its very first creation," said Zagato president Andrea Michele Zagato. The Bovensiepen Zagato was revealed at Lake Como just a day after the BMW 8 Series-based Speedtop shooting brake special edition, which will enter production next year. Next year BMW will also reveal its plan for Alpina, after ex-Polestar designer Max Missoni was hired by the Bavarian brand to style all of its future luxury models including Alpinas. Content originally sourced from: The founders of BMW's wholly owned tuning house, Alpina, have revealed this gorgeous – and much more powerful – coachbuilt version of the German brand's already-rapid M4 Coupe. With the Bovensiepen family having sold Alpina to BMW, they've now teamed up with famous Italian design house Zagato to produce this gorgeous BMW M4-based grand tourer, simply dubbed the Bovensiepen Zagato. Revealed at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza on Italy's Lake Como over the weekend, the first product from the Bovensiepens' independent coachbuilding business delivers 443kW of power and 700Nm of torque from its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. As is the way of the former Alpina tuners, that's significantly more than both the standard M4 manual (353kW/550Nm) and the top-shelf M4 Competition xDrive auto (390kW/650Nm), which is priced at $189,900 before on-road costs in Australia. Bovensiepen says the result is 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.3 seconds (0.2 seconds sooner than the M4 Competition) and a top speed of more than 300km/h – up from 292km/h. The powertrain gains come in part from a lightweight twin-exit titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic, which is claimed to be 40 lighter than the standard system. Bespoke three-mode Bilstein dampers help harness the extra performance. Bovensiepen claims the Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus settings deliver "a range from pronounced comfort to athletic driving dynamics". But the sleek new Zagato-designed body will likely attract even more attention than this coupe's Akrapovic exhaust. As part of the Bovensiepen family's aim to become "a manufacturer of outstanding automobiles that embody the ambition of fine driving", the Zagato features all-new body panels to make it look significantly different to the mid-size German coupe on which it's based. Said to combine Bavarian engineering with Italian design, Zagato's latest creation features the Milan-based company's trademark 'double bubble' roof and rear window, and a reshaped bonnet and bootlid with integrated rear spoiler, plus a stainless steel grille and fully retractable frameless windows. It bears the Bovensiepen logo on its front and rear, there are Zagato badges on the front wing gills and further branding can be seen on the brake calipers, wheel hubs, boot and centre console, which houses a special build number plaque alongside extra lashings of carbon-fibre. An exact production number has not been revealed, but Bovensiepen says its inaugural special edition will be "strictly" limited after first deliveries take place at the end of the second quarter of 2026. A long list of personalisation options will also be available for the interior and exterior, allowing each vehicle to be "as unique as its owner", says Bovensiepen. "Our goal is to build cars for connoisseurs and enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect symbiosis of design and technology," said Bovensiepen Automobiles CEO, Andreas Bovensiepen. Zagato's chief designer Norihiko Harada said: "It's a kind of blend of Italian charm, sensual and soft design, with a very solid, almost architectural German structure… a beautiful fusion of two automotive cultures. Established in the 1920, Zagato has previously worked with automakers including Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati and Lancia. "This project with the Bovensiepen family is particularly special, as it continues the legacy of blending Zagato DNA with that of a new and inspiring brand, starting from its very first creation," said Zagato president Andrea Michele Zagato. The Bovensiepen Zagato was revealed at Lake Como just a day after the BMW 8 Series-based Speedtop shooting brake special edition, which will enter production next year. Next year BMW will also reveal its plan for Alpina, after ex-Polestar designer Max Missoni was hired by the Bavarian brand to style all of its future luxury models including Alpinas. Content originally sourced from: The founders of BMW's wholly owned tuning house, Alpina, have revealed this gorgeous – and much more powerful – coachbuilt version of the German brand's already-rapid M4 Coupe. With the Bovensiepen family having sold Alpina to BMW, they've now teamed up with famous Italian design house Zagato to produce this gorgeous BMW M4-based grand tourer, simply dubbed the Bovensiepen Zagato. Revealed at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza on Italy's Lake Como over the weekend, the first product from the Bovensiepens' independent coachbuilding business delivers 443kW of power and 700Nm of torque from its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. As is the way of the former Alpina tuners, that's significantly more than both the standard M4 manual (353kW/550Nm) and the top-shelf M4 Competition xDrive auto (390kW/650Nm), which is priced at $189,900 before on-road costs in Australia. Bovensiepen says the result is 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.3 seconds (0.2 seconds sooner than the M4 Competition) and a top speed of more than 300km/h – up from 292km/h. The powertrain gains come in part from a lightweight twin-exit titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic, which is claimed to be 40 lighter than the standard system. Bespoke three-mode Bilstein dampers help harness the extra performance. Bovensiepen claims the Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus settings deliver "a range from pronounced comfort to athletic driving dynamics". But the sleek new Zagato-designed body will likely attract even more attention than this coupe's Akrapovic exhaust. As part of the Bovensiepen family's aim to become "a manufacturer of outstanding automobiles that embody the ambition of fine driving", the Zagato features all-new body panels to make it look significantly different to the mid-size German coupe on which it's based. Said to combine Bavarian engineering with Italian design, Zagato's latest creation features the Milan-based company's trademark 'double bubble' roof and rear window, and a reshaped bonnet and bootlid with integrated rear spoiler, plus a stainless steel grille and fully retractable frameless windows. It bears the Bovensiepen logo on its front and rear, there are Zagato badges on the front wing gills and further branding can be seen on the brake calipers, wheel hubs, boot and centre console, which houses a special build number plaque alongside extra lashings of carbon-fibre. An exact production number has not been revealed, but Bovensiepen says its inaugural special edition will be "strictly" limited after first deliveries take place at the end of the second quarter of 2026. A long list of personalisation options will also be available for the interior and exterior, allowing each vehicle to be "as unique as its owner", says Bovensiepen. "Our goal is to build cars for connoisseurs and enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect symbiosis of design and technology," said Bovensiepen Automobiles CEO, Andreas Bovensiepen. Zagato's chief designer Norihiko Harada said: "It's a kind of blend of Italian charm, sensual and soft design, with a very solid, almost architectural German structure… a beautiful fusion of two automotive cultures. Established in the 1920, Zagato has previously worked with automakers including Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati and Lancia. "This project with the Bovensiepen family is particularly special, as it continues the legacy of blending Zagato DNA with that of a new and inspiring brand, starting from its very first creation," said Zagato president Andrea Michele Zagato. The Bovensiepen Zagato was revealed at Lake Como just a day after the BMW 8 Series-based Speedtop shooting brake special edition, which will enter production next year. Next year BMW will also reveal its plan for Alpina, after ex-Polestar designer Max Missoni was hired by the Bavarian brand to style all of its future luxury models including Alpinas. Content originally sourced from: The founders of BMW's wholly owned tuning house, Alpina, have revealed this gorgeous – and much more powerful – coachbuilt version of the German brand's already-rapid M4 Coupe. With the Bovensiepen family having sold Alpina to BMW, they've now teamed up with famous Italian design house Zagato to produce this gorgeous BMW M4-based grand tourer, simply dubbed the Bovensiepen Zagato. Revealed at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza on Italy's Lake Como over the weekend, the first product from the Bovensiepens' independent coachbuilding business delivers 443kW of power and 700Nm of torque from its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. As is the way of the former Alpina tuners, that's significantly more than both the standard M4 manual (353kW/550Nm) and the top-shelf M4 Competition xDrive auto (390kW/650Nm), which is priced at $189,900 before on-road costs in Australia. Bovensiepen says the result is 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.3 seconds (0.2 seconds sooner than the M4 Competition) and a top speed of more than 300km/h – up from 292km/h. The powertrain gains come in part from a lightweight twin-exit titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic, which is claimed to be 40 lighter than the standard system. Bespoke three-mode Bilstein dampers help harness the extra performance. Bovensiepen claims the Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus settings deliver "a range from pronounced comfort to athletic driving dynamics". But the sleek new Zagato-designed body will likely attract even more attention than this coupe's Akrapovic exhaust. As part of the Bovensiepen family's aim to become "a manufacturer of outstanding automobiles that embody the ambition of fine driving", the Zagato features all-new body panels to make it look significantly different to the mid-size German coupe on which it's based. Said to combine Bavarian engineering with Italian design, Zagato's latest creation features the Milan-based company's trademark 'double bubble' roof and rear window, and a reshaped bonnet and bootlid with integrated rear spoiler, plus a stainless steel grille and fully retractable frameless windows. It bears the Bovensiepen logo on its front and rear, there are Zagato badges on the front wing gills and further branding can be seen on the brake calipers, wheel hubs, boot and centre console, which houses a special build number plaque alongside extra lashings of carbon-fibre. An exact production number has not been revealed, but Bovensiepen says its inaugural special edition will be "strictly" limited after first deliveries take place at the end of the second quarter of 2026. A long list of personalisation options will also be available for the interior and exterior, allowing each vehicle to be "as unique as its owner", says Bovensiepen. "Our goal is to build cars for connoisseurs and enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect symbiosis of design and technology," said Bovensiepen Automobiles CEO, Andreas Bovensiepen. Zagato's chief designer Norihiko Harada said: "It's a kind of blend of Italian charm, sensual and soft design, with a very solid, almost architectural German structure… a beautiful fusion of two automotive cultures. Established in the 1920, Zagato has previously worked with automakers including Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati and Lancia. "This project with the Bovensiepen family is particularly special, as it continues the legacy of blending Zagato DNA with that of a new and inspiring brand, starting from its very first creation," said Zagato president Andrea Michele Zagato. The Bovensiepen Zagato was revealed at Lake Como just a day after the BMW 8 Series-based Speedtop shooting brake special edition, which will enter production next year. Next year BMW will also reveal its plan for Alpina, after ex-Polestar designer Max Missoni was hired by the Bavarian brand to style all of its future luxury models including Alpinas. Content originally sourced from:
Auto Car
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
The family that founded Alpina is BACK with a Zagato-styled, 603bhp super-GT
The Bovensiepen family, founders of legendary German BMW tuning house Alpina, have launched their own coachbuilding business with the unveiling of a new 600bhp super-GT at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza. With Alpina now owned by BMW itself, the family is shifting its focus to become "a manufacturer of outstanding automobiles that embody the ambition of fine driving". The first post-Alpina project from the outfit – named simply Bovensiepen – is an imposing, BMW M4-based grand tourer called Zagato, in reference to the famous Italian design house responsible for its styling. Zagato has previously collaborated with Aston Martin, Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, and its first effort for Bovensiepen is described as "a harmonious composition of individual design" which "features and bears the unmistakable signature of the traditional Milanese design studio". It is said to take more than 250 hours to build the Zagato, of which production will be "strictly limited" - though no precise figure has been given. Pricing and availability will be given at the end of this year, ahead of deliveries beginning in summer next year. Each car can be, Bovensiepen promises, "as unique as its owner", with extensive personalisation options available for the interior and exterior. It is extensively differentiated from the BMW on which it is based by a totally bespoke treatment at the front and rear, a reshaped bonnet and side profile, and Zagato's trademark 'double bubble' roof. The Bovensiepen Zagato features a 3.0-litre straight six engine that produces 603bhp and 516lb ft for a 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 186mph, Bovensiepen claims.
Business Mayor
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Mayor
BMW's South Carolina Plant Just Built Its 7 Millionth Car
BMW celebrated one heck of a milestone last month when the 7 millionth automobile rolled off the assembly line in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The automaker's Plant Spartanburg manufacturing facility, which opened in 1994, screwed together a luxurious Alpina XB7 to celebrate the occasion, which will go on to live a pampered life as a part of the historic collection at the factory for visitors to see. Plant Spartanburg has been producing cars in the US for more than 30 years now, currently churning out the X3 through X7 'Sports Activity Vehicles,' as well as the polarizing XM. The In-House Alpina Team Made Some Adjustments The XB7 is among the vehicles produced at Plant Spartanburg, which churns out more than 1,500 vehicles each day. The factory completed assembly of the 7 millionth vehicle in March, but from there, the Alpina Green SUV went to Spartanburg's white-glove team for a few adjustments, including a specially designed front fascia, rear diffuser, roof spoiler, and commemorative badge. Like all XB7s, the 7 millionth South Carolinian BMW comes equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, which makes a healthy 631 horsepower and 590 pound-feet, up from the 523 hp and 553 lb-ft found in the X7 M60i. Alpina, which has been a fully owned subsidiary of BMW since 2022, is also known for its unique interior finishes and luxury features. Extended Merino leather is standard on every XB7, and the cabin also gets exclusive piano black or walnut trim with special Alpina badges and inlays. Glass controls, plush carpeting, and the division's signature blue and green stitching appear inside, and the specially tuned air suspension offers greater comfort without sacrificing performance. Although not as aggressive as a pure M model, the Alpina XB7 is an excellent dynamic foil to the Mercedes-Maybach GLS-Class, which costs about $20,000 more and skews toward comfort and luxury.. BMW Plant Spartanburg And Its Exports Believe it or not, BMW is actually the largest exporter of vehicles by value from the US. Of those 1,500 vehicles built each day in South Carolina, around 60 percent of them are destined for other markets. Last year, BMW exported 225,000 of its US-built SUVs, with a total economic value of more than $10 billion, according to the Department of Commerce. What's more, Plant Spartanburg has built 60 percent of all BMWs sold in the last decade, owing to the global popularity of the X-branded sport-utes manufactured there. For example, the majority of all X3 and X4 models sold in Europe are built in South Carolina, though plants in South Africa and China build cars for local and nearby markets. Related Automakers will no longer be charged duties on raw materials if they're already being saddled with tariffs on imported cars. Despite its massive manufacturing footprint for BMW, cars that come from Plant Spartanburg will still be subject to Donald Trump's 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles because they're comprised of less than 85 percent domestic parts. Those tariffs are also resulting in a pause in production on BMW EVs, which are all built in Germany. The evolving tariff situation may provide some relief to automakers as they attempt to onshore their production and logistics chains, but it's not clear if that will apply to BMW – its compatriot Porsche has already announced it won't build cars in the US.
