A camouflaged BMW Alpina 7 Series ran past 300 km/h, about 186 mph, on the 12.6-kilometer high-speed ring at Nardò in southern Italy, in a test BMW published on November 3. It is the first production car of the Alpina brand BMW relaunched on January 1, 2026.
BMW has confirmed a V8 for it and says customers will see it next year.
An electric version rests on a statement from BMW’s design chief for the brand, who said in May that Alpina “will offer both powertrain options.”
Key Takeaways
- BMW tested the first BMW Alpina production model past 300 km/h (about 186 mph) at Nardò, Italy, and published video of the run on November 3, 2026.
- BMW says it is inspired by the 7 Series, and it uses a V8, which BMW says delivers maximum torque across almost the entire rev range.
- BMW says customers can experience it in 2027. It has not announced a name, output, price or U.S. timing.
- BMW has not confirmed the B7 name. The last Alpina B7, revised for 2020, made 600 hp.
- An electric version is expected: Maximilian Missoni, BMW’s head of design for Alpina, said in May that the brand “will offer both powertrain options.”
- Alpina hallmarks carry over: 20-spoke wheels with tires developed for them, four oval tailpipes and the brand line “Speed, not Sport.”
What BMW Showed at Nardò
BMW gave the V8 its own engine management calibration and accelerator mapping, meant to deliver power smoothly without an aggressive feel, and the company says peak torque is available across virtually the whole rev range. The transmission is tuned for higher maximum engine speeds and more power.
The 20-spoke alloy wheels were developed together with specific tires, so each wheel and tire is a matched set, and the tires carry an extra foam layer for high speed. Four oval tailpipes sit in the rear bumper.
“Speed has always been baked into the ALPINA brand’s DNA. However, we are not just interested in top speed alone. What matters is how natural, stable and confident it feels to drive at that speed,” said Oliver Viellechner, vice president of BMW Alpina.
BMW’s release gives no displacement, horsepower, top speed or plant. The company’s August announcement said Alpina models will be built at “selected BMW Group plants” prepared for the brand.
A V8, and an Electric Version Promised
Maximilian Missoni, head of BMW Design for midsize and luxury cars and for BMW Alpina, said in a May interview at Villa d’Este that “the same rule applies as we have for BMW as a brand” and that “even ALPINA will offer both powertrain options.”
“The customers will have a choice out of the portfolio of powertrains of the respective BMW vehicles,” he said.
BMW has not shown an electric Alpina. Every 2027 7 Series, including the electric i7, is built at Plant Dingolfing in Germany. In the U.S., the electric BMW i7 60 xDrive makes 536 hp and starts at $124,700.
Will It Be Called the B7?
BMW has not named the car.
Its May release for the Vision BMW Alpina concept used the B7 name only for history: the shark nose “traces back to the Alpina B7,” and “the Alpina B7 coupé of the late 1970s marked a turning point.”
The last car to wear the badge was the BMW Alpina B7 xDrive, sold in the U.S. from the 2017 model year and revised for 2020. Its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 made 600 hp and 590 lb-ft, BMW quoted 3.5 seconds to 60 mph and a 205 mph top speed, and the 2020 car started at $141,700 plus $995 destination.
Where the Alpina 7 Series Will Sit
BMW sells the 2027 7 Series in the U.S. from $99,800 for the 740. The 2025 Alpina XB7 started at $152,400, and its last 120 cars are a 2026 Manufaktur edition at $180,000 plus destination.
BMW has described Alpina as filling a gap between BMW and Rolls-Royce. The story of how BMW took over the Alpina brand covers the 2022 deal and the 2026 relaunch.
What We Know About the Alpina 7 Series
BMW has a V8 Alpina 7 Series running past 300 km/h in testing and says customers will see it in 2027, at a price it has yet to announce. The last B7 made 600 hp and started at $141,700 for 2020, and BMW’s Alpina design chief says Alpina will offer an electric version too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BMW Alpina B7 coming back?
BMW is building an Alpina it describes as inspired by the 7 Series and says customers can experience it in 2027. It has not confirmed whether the car will be called the B7.
What engine will the new Alpina 7 Series have?
BMW has confirmed a V8 and says peak torque is available across virtually the whole rev range. It has not published displacement or output. Alpina design chief Maximilian Missoni said in May that the brand will also offer electric power.
How fast is the new BMW Alpina 7 Series?
BMW tested the camouflaged production model past 300 km/h, about 186 mph, on the Nardò high-speed track in Italy. It has not announced a top speed.
When will the new Alpina 7 Series be released?
BMW says customers will be able to experience the first BMW Alpina model in 2027. It has not given a U.S. on-sale date.
How much will the new Alpina B7 cost?
BMW has not announced a price. The 2020 Alpina B7 started at $141,700 plus $995 destination, the 2027 BMW 7 Series starts at $99,800, and the 2025 Alpina XB7 started at $152,400.
How much horsepower did the last Alpina B7 have?
The 2020 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive had a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 making 600 hp and 590 lb-ft, with a claimed 3.5 seconds to 60 mph and a 205 mph top speed.
Will there be an electric Alpina?
Maximilian Missoni, BMW’s head of design for Alpina, said in May 2026 that Alpina “will offer both powertrain options,” following BMW’s practice of offering combustion and electric versions. BMW has not shown an electric Alpina.
Where will the new Alpina be built?
BMW says Alpina models will be built at selected BMW Group plants prepared for the brand. It has not named the plant for the 7 Series model. Every 2027 BMW 7 Series is built at Plant Dingolfing in Germany.
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
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