The BMW Alpina B7 is coming back, and the first prototype has now been caught testing. Spy photos published late on October 28, 2026 (US time) show a camouflaged 7 Series near BMW’s Nürburgring test centre wearing tell-tale Alpina details.
This matters because it is the first production car from the new BMW Alpina, which became part of the BMW Group in January 2026. BMW Alpina’s boss has already told Top Gear that the first model will be a B7 with a V8 and no plug-in hybrid system.
What BMW has not confirmed is the launch date, the power output or the price. BMW India’s Alpina page also says availability details will come “at a later date”. Here is what the photos show, what is known, and what an Indian luxury buyer should take from it.
What do the spy shots show?
The car is clearly a 7 Series, but several details set it apart. Carscoops, CarBuzz and SlashGear all published the photos within a few hours of each other.
- Amber LED daytime running lights. These yellow lamps have been an Alpina signature for years, and the Vision BMW Alpina concept from May 2026 had them too.
- A different kidney grille. Carscoops counts three horizontal slats, against seven on the standard 7 Series.
- A revised lower bumper and air intake.
- Oval quad exhaust tips at the back, another classic Alpina trademark.
- Black wheels with silver details. Carscoops doubts these will reach production and expects traditional multi-spoke Alpina wheels instead.
The rear changes look limited, although a new rear bumper is possible.
Why is the BMW Alpina B7 such a big deal?
For decades, Alpina was an independent company in Bavaria that worked closely with BMW and built its own fast, comfortable versions of BMW models. BMW took over the brand, and it is now positioned as BMW’s most exclusive luxury and performance label.
That is different from BMW M. BMW India’s own Alpina page describes M as motorsport-inspired and Alpina as focused on “serene speed”, long-distance comfort and discreet luxury.
The pricing plan is also clear. In the Top Gear interview, BMW Alpina boss Oliver Viellechner said new Alpinas would start where the most expensive BMW ends and stop just before Rolls-Royce begins. CarBuzz sees the B7 as a direct rival to Mercedes-Maybach.
Even the drive modes show the different focus. Top Gear reports that every new Alpina will default to a “Comfort+” setting that is softer than BMW’s own Comfort mode, and that Sport and Sport+ are replaced by “Speed” and “Speed+”. In other words, the brand wants to feel fast and relaxed at the same time, rather than track-focused. Alpina’s design boss Max Missoni also told Top Gear the brand will not try to be deliberately rare, but will be careful about where it starts selling.
What engine will it use?
BMW has not announced any powertrain details for this prototype. Here is what we know from on-record statements and reports.
Viellechner told Top Gear in May 2026 that the first Alpina would offer “a pure V8 without a plug”, and that an Alpina engine “can’t be the same as the engine in a base model 7 Series”.
Carscoops and CarBuzz expect the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 from the new M760 xDrive, which BMW revealed in the US this month with around 570hp, to be the starting point. The previous B7, built from 2016 to 2022, made 600hp from a V8. So more than 570hp is a reasonable expectation, but no figure has been released.
SlashGear’s story mentions that a hybrid layout is possible. We give more weight to the direct quote from Alpina’s boss, which rules out a plug-in hybrid at the start.
BMW Alpina B7 at a glance
| Item | What is known |
|---|---|
| Base car | Updated BMW 7 Series |
| Engine | V8 expected; “pure V8 without a plug” per Alpina boss |
| Likely base engine | 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 (around 570hp in the M760 xDrive) |
| Previous B7 output | 600hp (2016-2022 model) |
| Drive modes | Comfort+ default, Speed and Speed+ (per Top Gear) |
| Exterior clues | Amber DRLs, 3-slat grille, oval quad exhausts |
| Reveal timing | Not confirmed; reports point to 2027 |
| India availability | “Will be communicated at a later date” (BMW India) |
BMW Alpina B7: confirmed vs not confirmed
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| First new BMW Alpina will be a B7 based on the 7 Series | Confirmed by Alpina boss (Top Gear, May 2026) |
| V8 without plug-in hybrid at launch | Stated by Alpina boss |
| Prototype testing near the Nürburgring | Spy photos, Oct 28, 2026 |
| Power output | Not confirmed |
| Reveal date | Not confirmed; Carscoops expects next year |
| Production wheels and amber DRLs | Not confirmed |
| India launch and price | Not announced |
When will the new Alpina 7 Series be revealed?
BMW has not given a date. Carscoops says the car will probably be unveiled next year, and evo has reported that the first new Alpina model will launch in 2027. Carscoops also notes that BMW has confirmed an Alpina version of the next-generation X7, tipped for 2027.
A prototype at the Nürburgring usually means chassis tuning is well under way. That fits a 2027 debut, but treat any exact month as a guess until BMW confirms it.
What would the BMW Alpina B7 cost?
There is no price anywhere yet. For context, SlashGear notes that a 2027 BMW 740 starts at $99,800 in the US, and that the last Alpina B7 it knew of cost more than $144,000 in 2021. Viellechner told Top Gear that US Alpinas such as the B7, B8 and XB7 were selling at around $200,000 with essentially no discount.
In India, the current 7 Series starts at ₹1.95 crore ex-showroom for the 740i M Sport, while the electric i7 M70 costs ₹2.65 crore, according to BMW India’s launch release. If the “above the most expensive BMW” rule holds, an India-bound B7 would logically sit above the i7 M70. That is our reading of BMW’s positioning, not a price forecast.
The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the car the B7 is aimed at, is listed from ₹3.35 crore in India.
Is BMW Alpina coming to India?
BMW India already runs an Alpina brand page with the Vision BMW Alpina concept and the brand’s history, which is a good sign of interest. But the page states clearly that availability details will be shared later.
Top Gear’s interview gives one more hint. Alpina plans to become a “global offering”, sold only through selected BMW dealers with dedicated showroom areas. India’s luxury market is growing, and BMW already sells high-end cars here, from the 7 Series to models like the BMW i5 long-wheelbase sedan. So India is a plausible market, but there is no date.
CarBike Insight Analysis
The spy shots confirm what BMW Alpina promised: the first new model is a big, V8-powered 7 Series with its own look. The amber lights and oval exhausts show BMW is keeping the old Alpina identity rather than turning it into another M badge.
There is a bigger trend here too. While BMW M is moving towards electric power, with projects like the first electric BMW M3, Alpina is starting with a pure V8. Rivals are spreading their bets in similar ways, as we saw with the Mercedes-AMG GT electric SUV.
Who should wait? Indian buyers cross-shopping a 7 Series and a Maybach who value comfort over sportiness. The B7 could be the most interesting option in 2027 or later, if BMW India brings it. Who should not wait? Anyone who needs a luxury sedan within the next year. There is no India timeline at all.
We will update this story when BMW reveals the production car.
FAQ
What is the new BMW Alpina B7?
It is the first model from the new BMW Alpina brand, a luxury sedan based on the updated BMW 7 Series.
Will the BMW Alpina B7 have a V8?
Alpina’s boss told Top Gear it will be “a pure V8 without a plug”. Power has not been announced.
When will it be revealed?
BMW has not said. Reports point to 2027.
Will the BMW Alpina B7 launch in India?
Not announced. BMW India says availability details will be shared later.
How much will it cost?
No price exists yet. BMW Alpina says its cars will start above the most expensive BMW.
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