I find it strange that Alpina only uses the base bumper design of each model it improves.

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They don't use the high performance versions, typically with larger intakes and significantly more aggressive lines. Instead, they take the base versions with more chrome, smaller intakes and fewer flourishes, and add an Alpina splitter. That's it!

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For example, here's the current B7 compared to the 745:

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Identical, other than the splitter and slightly deeper valance on each corner. Admittedly the end product looks aggressive, but it's a puzzling decision on cars that are supposed to be the top of the line performance models. And I have two theories for this.

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Theory #1 - BMW restricts them to the base bumper to not steal sales from it's own top of the range models, like the M760Li. Their own version gets the dark trim, wide intakes and mega-aggressive attitude. Plausible, in my view, though maybe changing with Alpina being absorbed into BMW proper.

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Theory #2 - Alpina's historical aesthetic has been less flamboyant than BMW, going for stateliness over pure anger. The use of the base bumper could be because those tend to be more chrome heavy. Adding the splitter is enough of a performance hint.

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This theory has more cracks in it to me, though. If subtlety was the overarching reason, those 21-spoke iconic Alpina rims, ducktail spoilers and big chrome quad pipes on the back wouldn't be as bold as they are. Nor would their beautiful mono color paint jobs, especially the instantly recognizable Alpina blue or the rarer dark green. In fact, there are some Alpina models over the years that were VERY subtle in their visual cues to their performance potential.

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And back in the 80s and 90s, BMW hadn't grown into it's aggressive streak yet. Its high performance designs were subtle, purposeful and largely identical to Alpina, save for rims, badges and colours.

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My bet with my own money? That's theory #1 is the reason. BMW was warier of Alpina before it bought it, far more so than Mercedes with AMG, because they produced their own high-performance models concurrently. Instead of AMG taking the reigns of the top Mercs, Alpina was never allowed to lead any model line for performance.

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The M6 always had to be positioned as superior to B6, M5 to B5 etc. Though one caveat is the 7 series, which never positioned the 760 as a fast machine until the F01 generation.

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I find this interesting. I would love to hear any insights from Alpina insiders themselves and it remains to be seen how Alpina will fit into the mix now that BMW owns them.

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In the meantime, give me a B5 in green. Even with that base fascia!

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