BMW Alpina will kick off its new era with two luxury performance cars | Auto Express
Posted by Agent_Kozak@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 22 comments
Random_Introvert_42@reddit
So...Alpina really is a random trim package now, like Maybach with mercedes. Okay :/
racebannon0@reddit
Doubt this.
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.
strongmanass@reddit
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.
hi_im_bored13@reddit
I like the theory where they kill off the ghost & let BMW make a bit of a maybach competitor
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).
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.
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.
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.
Dunaii4@reddit
An Emira-fighting V6 Vantage? Or an MX5-fighting I4?
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.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Considering Ford ownership, I'm assuming a super plush Ka with the Fiesta ST engine.
strongmanass@reddit
The Cullinan is nearly the same length and width as the Escalade, so "smaller than the Cullinan" could still be pretty big.
schultzM@reddit
There have been a few mini goodwoods which have rolls Royce theme to them like dark paint and a plush rug and leather interior
Captain_Mazhar@reddit
Alpina has always been a GT autobahn cruiser. Their engines always had lower power than the full-blown M cars, but a much better torque band and custom transmission/suspension tuning that geared much better towards driving than crushing a track.
For the ICE 7 series, they’ll follow that tried and true formula, but how are they going to differentiate the i7? It will just be a trim package at that point with no difference to driving dynamics.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
iBS7 as the performance model, so good it'll make you shit yourself
Quatro_Leches@reddit
what in the michael bay transformers are those new BMW designs
PSfreak10001@reddit
I mean it‘s 4 years old at this point
Edgelordftwlol@reddit
And the facelift design was already leaked
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Tbf it was ugly 4 years ago. It sells well though so who am I to complain
PSfreak10001@reddit
You are right, I just find it funny that someone would call it a ,,new“ design
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
BMW never interest to make M7, so a S65 AMG from BMW answer is always made by Alpine.