BMW Is Redesigning ALPINA’s Iconic 20-Spoke Wheels: First Look

BMW acquired the rights to the ALPINA model in 2022 and took full management originally of this yr. Nevertheless, now we have but to see a automotive from the newly based BMW ALPINA subsidiary. Earlier than the rumored 7 Sequence facelift–primarily based mannequin arrives, we’re getting a peek at an important a part of the automobile’s styling. Sure, the wheels.

There are some legendary wheel designs on the market, after which there’s ALPINA’s iconic 20-spoke wheel. Its roots hint again to the corporate’s early days within the Sixties, when founder Burkhard Bovensiepen needed to create a wheel design that may set ALPINA fashions aside. That imaginative and prescient led to the 20-spoke structure in a starburst sample, initially provided in 13- and 14-inch diameters.

The launch of the BMW 3.0 CSL (E9) in 1971 gave ALPINA entry to BMW’s seller community, permitting the elegant wheels to be bought and put in instantly at BMW dealerships. As automobiles grew bigger and tires gained extra meat, wheel sizes elevated accordingly, finally reaching a stately 23 inches on the XB7, all whereas retaining the trademark 20-spoke design.

For this new period of fashions, BMW ALPINA has been engaged on a contemporary wheel design. Whereas we nonetheless desire the basic model, the brand new wheel appears to be like elegant. Maybe deliberately, the middle cap isn’t seen. That would sign a change to the brand, which means we’ll have to attend a bit longer to see it. A trademark submitting from final yr hinted at a extra minimalist methodhowever nothing has been made official but.

Within the meantime, the brand new BMW ALPINA wordmark was revealed on January 1, 2026. It indicators the delivery of the standalone model below the BMW Group umbrella. It can compete with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and GLS, positioning itself above high-end BMW fashions just like the 7 Sequence and X7.

The wheel teased right here is probably going reserved for the BMW ALPINA 7 Sequence, codenamed “G72.” Its official premiere will happen after the common “G70” receives a Life Cycle Impulse later this yr. The extra luxurious model might break cowl in 2026, though manufacturing reportedly received’t start till July 2027.

Anticipate three variants: 740 xDrive, 760 xDrive, and the electrical i7 70 xDrive. Though the BMW Group just lately pledged to maintain the V12 alive, it’s more likely to stay unique to Rolls-Royce fashions. The “N74” engine was final utilized in a BMW-badged automobile with the M760i Closing Version in 2022.