Approved before BMW's ownership of the Alpina naming rights was processed on January 1, this is the final product developed by the Bovensiepen-founded Buchloe-based company. This is the 2026 BMW Alpina XB7 Manufaktur, and only 120 will be made, exclusively finished in hues never before offered on the model. After this, no more XB7 X7-based SUVs will be made, and no more will Alpina be considered a separate entity from BMW. What makes this particularly special for us is that it will only be offered in the United States and Canada, making the end of an era a strictly North American affair.
Why us and not Germany? Because when the first XB7 was assembled at BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina back in 2020, it was the first time that an Alpina vehicle had ever been completed outside of Buchloe, so this special edition brings the story full circle, celebrating a special collaboration.
2026 BMW Alpina XB7 Manufaktur: Never-Before-Seen Luxury
BMW
The 2026 BMW Alpina XB7 leaves buying customers only one option, and it's the paint: Frozen Alpina Green or Frozen Alpina Blue, with the classic Alpina pinstriped applique running along the shoulders of each example. Both matte finishes are new for the XB7, but their coloring pays tribute to the historic colors of the Alpina brand, helping bridge the transition from private company to BMW entity. Providing contrast are Shadowling gloss black accents, appearing around the glasshouse, on the grilles, on the badges, and even on the tailpipes. Glossy black is also the finish of choice for the 20-inch forged 20-spoke wheels, whose design will evolve as BMW leaves its mark on future Alpina-branded vehicles. If the matte isn't enough to set the final XB7s apart from previous iterations, a unique XB7 Manufaktur tailgate badge subtly reminds onlookers that it's something special, while a "MANUFAKTUR" wordmark on each B-pillar does the same.
BMW
Inside, all of these limited-edition send-off XB7s will be upholstered in Tartufo Full Merino leather with Alpina scripts embroidered on the front-seat headrests. This luscious leather is complemented by Alpina Walnut Nature Black interior trim and a "1 of 120" plaque on the front section of the center console, while the floor mats get silver Alpina badges. Anodized black shift paddles are another nice touch, and even the carpet in the trunk is special, with a subtle wordmark matching those on the B-pillars. Here, customers will be treated to a pair of handmade weekender bags in brown Lavalina leather with blue and green Alpina scripts to match the headrests. Those who acually use the SUV rather than store it as an investment will also enjoy a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system.
2026 BMW Alpina XB7 Manufaktur: Big on Performance and Price
BMW
Under the hood of the XB7 Manufaktur is BMW's famililar S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, with the engine tuned to deliver 631 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an Alpina-specific version of the eight-speed automatic transmission and integrated 48-volt starter-generator, and together, these components enable 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The performance is as comfortable as possible thanks to Integral Active Steering with 2.3 degrees of rear-axle movement and air-suspension, again with Alpina-specific tuning, with the ability to raise the vehicle by 1.6 inches for better clearance or drop by 0.8 inches for a lower center of gravity. In Sport+ mode (joining Comfort and Sport modes) above 155 mph, it drops by as much as 1.6 inches, meaning a total range of 3.2 inches.
Related: Alpina’s Next Chapter: BMW Plans To Reinvent Its Most Elegant Performance Brand
All of this comes at the not inconsiderable cost of $180,000, plus $1,550 for destination and handling, and all 120 customers will have to wait some time for their builds to be produced, with assembly beginning in South Carolina in September and deliveries expected to commence shortly thereafter, in the final quarter of the year. Thereafter, the newly formed BMW Alpina can begin its challenge to Mercedes-Maybach. It's the end of one era of luxury and the beginning of another.
BMW
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