For some BMW purists, the 8 Series sedan isn’t enough. Fine. How about the 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe? It’s quick, stunningly attractive and rare with about 2,000 manufactured for those with discriminating tastes, the need for more performance and possessing deep pockets.
Founded in 1965, Alpina, the German customization specialty company, and BMW have maintained a long business relationship. The former works independently but it’s also permanently partnered with BMW. The collaboration morphs into vehicles greater than the sum of the two companies.
Key Takeaways
- 612-hp twin-turbo V8 splits the M8 lineup: Positioned between the 600-hp M8 and 617-hp M8 Competition, the Alpina B8 uses a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 backed by an Alpina-tuned eight-speed.
- 590 lb-ft of torque — 47 more than either M8: The torque advantage defines the Alpina’s character and enables a 3.3-second 0-60 run and a 201-mph top speed.
- Rare by design with about 2,000 units produced: Alpina and BMW have partnered since 1965, and the B8 is a customization specialty rather than a mass-market M variant.
- Adaptive sport suspension softens BMW’s signature stiffness: Four-wheel steering turns the rear wheels up to 2.3 degrees at low speeds, pairing with the standard xDrive AWD for more agile cornering.
- Fully optioned it checks in near $150,000: Added extras, Alpina-specific trim, and a $3,400 Bowers & Wilkins audio upgrade push a car positioned as BMW’s most exclusive 8 Series variant into six-figure territory.
Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that produces 612 horsepower, the 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe is positioned between the M8’s 600 horsepower and the M8 Competition’s 617 horsepower. Its stablemates are slightly quicker as if acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds isn’t fastest enough. The top speed is 201 miles per hour.
2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe: More Torque
For torque fanciers, the Alpina has 590 lb-ft of torque, 47 more than either M8. It also features an Alpina-tuned eight-speed transmission. Shift paddles are included, with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive available. Rear-wheel steering is standard. The gearbox is quick and crisp, although shifting requires a knack for finesse, not aggressive moves.As bravado-ridden as BMW gets, the Alpina also includes an adaptive sport suspension. The carmaker touts it offers superior ride comfort and cornering abilities. BMW is right. If the rigid driving personality of the German carmaker is appealing, the Alpina does it better, softening the manufacturer’s signature stiffness.
Accelerate while cornering. Accelerate while maneuvering through traffic. Accelerate while ascending or descending. Maintain a high speed on the highway or move around in city driving. The gran coupe is prideful without pretentiousness.
Alpina reports it has amended the standard four-wheel steering system. The rear wheels turn up to 2.3 degrees at low and medium speeds for more agile handling. Front and rear wheels turn in sync at high speeds for more stable cruising.
The 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, unlike other BMWs, has superior space for two rear seat occupants. Its comfort, including a large, multi-use pulldown console, makes the front seats less spacious.
2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe: Tight Front Seats
While adjustable to many positions, the independent cabins are tight. The giant-sized front console steals some of the available acreage. The customized 8 Series also has a sloping roofline, meaning a less comfortable experience for tall back seat passengers.BMW does the interior appointments handsomely. Materials include top-grade leather seating and an untreated Lavalina leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Further accouterments: Alpina treadplates, a crystal iDrive controller with a laser-etched Alpina logo. The interior also features Walnut Anthracite high gloss. Open any doors and the sills illuminate with the word Alpina. The Alpina branding is also on the floor mats. It’s all big, bold automotive bling.
Exterior upgrades are readily apparent. Jumbo-sized air intakes, a black rear diffuser and a decklid spoiler add sporty class. The Alpina badge on the trunk is traditional and handsome.
The German customizer has also added a 20-spoke design in a standard 21-inch size wrapped in custom Pirelli rubber. Four-piston Brembo brake calipers in bright cobalt blue clamp 15.6-inch rotors are on the front and 15.7 inches are positioned on the rear.
2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe: Purists’ Joy
The 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe is available standard in the carmaker’s signature metallic colors, Alpina blue and Alpina green. But other exterior colors are available.Technology is all neat but not tidy with BMW’s iDrive software, the combination of touchscreen, physical controls, voice commands and gestures isn’t intuitive. But it’s all worthy. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard and can connect either via USB or wirelessly. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio upgrade is $3,400.
The bottom line: Fully decked out, the 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe checks in at just under $150,000. For the BMW crowd, it’s likely a deal. For the rest of us, not so much.
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What We Like
- 612-hp twin-turbo V8 delivers 3.3-second 0-60 and 201-mph top speed
- Rear-wheel steering and adaptive suspension improve cornering agility
- Rare production volume of roughly 2,000 units makes it a collector’s piece
- Genuine luxury interior with Lavalina leather, Walnut Anthracite trim, and crystal iDrive controller
- Brembo blue calipers and 21-inch Alpina wheels deliver distinctive exterior presence
What We Don’t
- Fully optioned price approaches $150,000
- Tight front seats due to oversized center console
- Sloping roofline compromises rear headroom for tall passengers
- iDrive’s mix of touchscreen, controls, voice, and gesture is not intuitive
- Fuel economy of 17/24 mpg adds operating cost to an already expensive proposition
Facts & Figures: 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4L Turbo 8-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 612 |
| Torque | 590 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 17 city / 24 hwy / 19 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph, 3.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 201 mph |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2022 BMW M8 | $130,000 |
| 2022 BMW M8 Competition | $141,000 |
| 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 | $160,000 |
| 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo | $161,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe?
The Alpina B8 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 201 mph. Its 612-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 590 lb-ft of torque paired with an Alpina-tuned eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive.
How does the Alpina B8 compare to the BMW M8?
The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe sits between the 600-hp M8 and 617-hp M8 Competition. While slightly slower in straight-line tests, the Alpina delivers 47 more lb-ft of torque than either M8 and a softer, more comfort-oriented ride from its adaptive suspension.
How much does the 2022 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe cost?
Fully equipped, the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe lands just under $150,000. Premium options like the $3,400 Bowers & Wilkins audio system contribute to the total.
How rare is the BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe?
Alpina produces roughly 2,000 units globally. Each B8 Gran Coupe carries Alpina-specific badging, 20-spoke 21-inch wheels, Brembo blue calipers, and interior appointments including Lavalina leather and Walnut Anthracite trim.
What makes Alpina different from BMW M?
Alpina has partnered with BMW since 1965 as a customization specialist operating independently. While BMW M focuses on track-capable performance, Alpina tunes for refined grand-touring capability — softer suspension, more torque, and more luxurious interior touches.
What is the fuel economy of the BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe?
EPA ratings are 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined on premium gasoline. The 612-hp V8 and all-wheel drive come at a fuel-economy cost.
Article Last Updated: April 16, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.