BMW Alpina will kick off its new era with two luxury performance cars | Auto Express

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Random_Introvert_42@reddit

So...Alpina really is a random trim package now, like Maybach with mercedes. Okay :/

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racebannon0@reddit

Doubt this.

Maybach is not a trim package, the car is physically a different vehicle with an extended wheel base.
BMW can’t sell a Maybach competitor with a trim package. They’re going to make it nice.

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Random_Introvert_42@reddit

It's an S-Class. With far less changes than the (Mercedes-)Maybach 57/62-models. So yes, it's trim, perhaps with the perk of an LWB-alteration.

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This has been rumored for a while. For the Alpina i7 (iB7? just not iB7 please), basically take the i7 M70, max out all the options, give it the multi-spoke wheels and some other exterior trim, and you have your $250K i7.

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hi_im_bored13@reddit

I like the theory where they kill off the ghost & let BMW make a bit of a maybach competitor

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strongmanass@reddit

It makes me wonder what they plan to do with Rolls Royce. The Phantom is only about 10% of sales. The Cullinan is about 50%. We know the Spectre outsold everything but the Cullinan last year - let's say that's 25% of sales. That would put the Ghost at 15% or about 900 units.

They're expanding Goodwood specifically to increase the number high-margin Bespoke builds. Production is at capacity so I guess they figure they don't need the 900 units of the lowest-margin product. They've also been seen testing a smaller SUV than the Cullinan, so maybe Ghost gets replaced by an SUV.

Either way it sounds like RR becomes even more expensive and exclusive, which probably suits both the brand and the buyers (although I know some Ghost owners are unhappy with the rumor).

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RazingsIsNotHomeNow@reddit

How odd, they might release a mid size suv. Wonder what the market looks like for that. Reminds me of the Aston Cygnat. How long until a RollsRoyce mini lol.

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Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit

The Cygnet is weird because their resale isn't horrible: Aston was kinda right that the market for a super plush Toyota iQ really did exist. It was just astronomically small.

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IAmWellBehaved@reddit

If they'd been able to make more fully a super mini Aston (engine, design, etc) I am so curious what they'd have come up with.

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Dunaii4@reddit

An Emira-fighting V6 Vantage? Or an MX5-fighting I4?

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IAmWellBehaved@reddit

In my dreams, perhaps something like a micro-Vantage-looking thing in the vein of a GR 86/Miata with regard to size but packing some kind of Cosworth hybrid that's low emissions (to meet the whole reason the Cygnet existed) but packing the luxury I'd associate with an Aston (the interior, the paint, etc).

And while I will say I doubt the market is large, I am someone who doesn't really need the 600 horsepower and track-breaking performance in my cars. They're impressive and all, but at the end of the day I'd love something fun like the aforementioned small cars but with the polish and craft of more exotic fare - as opposed to a M4 or something.

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