ALPINA, as we’ve come to understand it over the many years, isn’t any extra. The Bovensiepen household, which has owned the corporate since its inception, offered the rights to the identify and badge to BMW, which is taking the model upmarket and doesn’t plan on making any smaller fashions. So no matter BMW might bear the ALPINA badge beginning in 2026, it’s not going to be a “actual” ALPINA as a result of it’s not going to be a automotive that comes out of Buchloe.
However the ALPINA we all know will not be useless. It’s evolving and likewise shifting upmarket, but it surely’s additionally staying true to its roots. Since it may possibly not use the ALPINA identify, the corporate is now known as Bovensiepen Car, and its first product is this totally gorgeous Zagato coupe. I’ll admit I’m not normally a fan of some Zagato designs, however the Bovensiepen Zagato is up there with a few of Zagato’s finest current efforts, just like the vehicles it created for Aston Martin.
This Is the First Automobile From Bovensiepen After ALPINA: A Zagato-Constructed Stunner
We answered Bovensiepen’s invitation to witness the revealing of the Zagato coupe reside close to Lake Como, and we have been glad to see the automotive in individual and be taught extra about its story and the rebranded firm’s future route.
The coupe is predicated on the G83 BMW M4 cabriolet, but it surely has a set hardtop roof. Bovensiepen selected the drop-top as the bottom as a result of it didn’t need a B-pillar, which detracts from the expertise of driving a elaborate coupe. So that they eliminated the manufacturing unit roof and its electrical folding mechanism and put their very own double-bubble carbon fiber roof as a substitute.
How a BMW M4 Convertible Grew to become a Hand-Constructed Carbon Coupe
The complete automotive’s physique is carbon fiber. Nonetheless, a whole M4 convertible continues to be hidden underneath there, with all its manufacturing unit physique panels. Bovensiepen did this as a result of it wanted to protect the M4’s security credentials and basically not need to homologate the Zagato as a totally new automotive. But even with each layers of bodywork, the automotive stays lighter than the M4 on which it’s based mostly, primarily as a result of the heavy folding roof has been eliminated.
It weighs 4,133 lbs (1,875 kg) in comparison with the donor M4’s 4,243 lbs (1,925 kg), so a distinction of 110 lbs (50 kg). It’s additionally longer and wider than the M4. It grows from 74.3 inches (1,887 mm) in width to 75.3 inches (1,913 mm) with out mirrors, and size will increase from 189 inches (4,801 mm) to 194.6 inches (4,943 mm), though it doesn’t seem like a much bigger automotive once you see it within the steel. It’s marginally decrease than the M4, however solely by just a few millimeters.
Contained in the Bovensiepen Zagato: Luxurious Leather-based, Retro Particulars, and Craftsmanship
Bovensiepen doesn’t attempt to cover the hardtop design, leaving a transparent seam the place the highest meets the physique. That seam stays seen as a result of physique flex would finally trigger the paint to crack if it have been lined, and there’s an additional dose of fanciness that’s derived from leaving it there—I believed it added to the luxurious really feel of the automotive.
Nonetheless, making a completely new physique for a automotive is a departure for the corporate previously often known as ALPINA. It outsources the carbon fiber parts and places every thing collectively in its Buchloe facility, and every automotive takes over 250 man-hours to finish, not together with the manufacturing of every particular person piece.
There’s a lot to say concerning the exterior design. It enhances the M4’s broad and aggressive stance, and the beltline has a extra pronounced rake than it does within the BMW. The rear flanks have a extra seen sharp character line that rises and continues into the massive rear spoiler. The wheels subtly nod to the basic ALPINA design acquainted to lovers, they usually look nice on the automotive.
Bovensiepen retained the M4 LCI’s headlight internals, however they’ve a unique form, which works very effectively with the design of the entrance finish, which doesn’t also have a trace of a kidney grille. For the rear, the M4/4 Collection laser lights are carried over unchanged, however they appear completely different within the context of the redesigned again.
The automotive’s inside is beautiful, utilizing the identical Lavalina leather-based that ALPINA automobiles have. Bovensiepen calls the shade of blue used all through “Heaven,” and whereas that will sound a bit corny, seeing and experiencing the inside in individual, it begins to make sense. Similar to in ALPINAa, leather-based covers most surfaces, and it’s a visible and tactile delight.
The seats are carried over from the M4, however they’re reskinned and redesigned for an much more premium aesthetic. The design of the quilt for the seat squab is totally completely different from the M4, hinting on the longitudinal stripes that you simply would possibly see within the basic BMW E9 or an previous Alfa Romeo.
Over 600 HP, Carbon Fiber Every thing, and Restricted to Only a Few Hundred Models
Underneath the hood, which can also be made out of carbon fiber and has an embossed “Bovensiepen” script on the underside, lies a tweaked model of the M4’s S58 twin-turbo 3-liter straight-six. With Bovensiepen’s particular consumption, turbos and tuning, it pumps out 602 bhp (611 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), sending the automotive to 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in 3.3 seconds and on to over 186 mph (300 km/h).
The brace that Bovensiepen positioned over the engine for further torsional rigidity and improved steering really feel is lifted straight out of the M4 CS, but it surely was painted black for a extra delicate integration. The engine cowl, similar to the remainder of the automotive, is all in carbon fiber and it proudly shows the Bovensiepen brand, which is new, but it surely nonetheless hints on the automotive’s BMW roots.
Bovensiepen hasn’t launched any official manufacturing figures for the Zagato two-door, however it will likely be someplace within the low a whole lot yearly. Since every automotive is hand-assembled, the annual manufacturing capability shall be very low. Holding the determine low can also be key to making sure the vehicles’ exclusivity and their worth over time, so it’s Bovensiepen enjoying on its strengths right here.
The goal worth for the automobile hasn’t been finalized, and it is determined by what number of vehicles they’ll truly construct, however they anticipate the Bovensiepen Zagato to price between €400,000 and €500,000. It’s round 4 occasions greater than the donor automotive and in the identical worth bracket because the manufacturing variations of BMW’s Skytop and Speedtop ideas. That appears a bit steep, but it surely options much more craftsmanship than the BMW, it has a singular Zagato-designed physique that basically stands out and it has the heritage of ALPINA backing every thing up. We’re excited to see this automotive hit the street and for what Bovensiepen has deliberate subsequent.
