Because it remains in basic M4
Real surprises have become rare in the car industry. Yet the family behind Alpina managed to outwit friend and foe during the Como Car Week with a coachbuild that nobody had seen coming, except Zagato. The Bovensiepen Zagato comes in an extremely exclusive edition and that he is not allowed to be called Alpina because the trademark rights of that name are now at BMW, and then BMW determines how much of it can come. After all, the car leans on the current M4 Cabrio.
Agreed, keeping a secret at a manufacturer with two hundred employees is easier than at a multinational with twenty thousand employees. Yet it remains a great achievement when you consider that both Alpina and Zagato (and probably also people at BMW) were involved in the conception of the first top sides. That is the new sign of the German family of the same name, who is about to hand over the Alpina-Badge to BMW. Instead, the founding family will focus on his past with Alpina Klasik and at the same time also on the present with the Bovensiepen brand that has unveiled his first throw in Como. Due to the capital builder Zagato, that has become a modern coachbuild. Although again on the basis of an existing BMW, this time it is very different. This is what we already know about the Gran Turismo that must be ready for sale in the mid -2026.
No Restomod, what many thought
When the sale of Alpina to BMW in 2022, there was speculation aloud about a future Restomod. The timeless BMW E9 Coupé from the 70s was considered for this, just like the popular E30 3 series from the following decade. But after several feasibility studies, the slope turned out to be a dead end trail for the Bovensiepens. Not only have the good specimens of those classics become rare and expensive, they convert into something very special would cost much more. Just look at the prices of other restomods such as a Singer 911 or a Kimera 037. Moreover, it was very important for the family to keep as many employees as possible in Buchloe, on the one hand to produce parts for classic alpina’s and on the other hand by developing this coachbuild together with Zagato and in-house.
Bovensiepen and Zagato have been friends for a long time
The friendship between Bovensiepen Sr. and Zagato Sr. Neighbored decades ago at the Geneva Motor Show. There were the families there for years, which led to a close friendship between the family loaders and their sons. The late Burkhard Bovensiepen even bought an Alfa Romeo SZ from Zagato, who is still unused in the family collection. When the thinking started in the direction of the new car brand, Zagato always came up. The cult status that the Italian bodywork builder in Japan also took into account. After Germany and America, that remains a very important market for Alpina. Perhaps not the biggest, but the most fanatic where the only BMW-independent Alpina concession was located for a long time. The icing on the cake is that the Bovensiepen Zagato was signed by the Japanese Norihiko Harada.
Under that Italian costume an M4
Here the story becomes really interesting. Because despite the separation of BMW – that Alpina wants to position as a competitor for Bentley and Maybach – there is still an M4 under the bodywork of this Zagato. An M4 convertible still, to realize the ultimate GT look without B-styles and to be able to integrate the Double-Bubble roof with Z-signature. The fact that the coachbuild is still 142 mm longer and 26 mm wider than its donor is due to the special construction method. The carbon panels are largely draped over the existing bodywork to avoid new homologation and crash test procedures. That is why the outdoor color options are limited to the shades that BMW offers. The canvas roof with convertible mechanism is of course replaced by a fixed one, while the interior is completely covered in lavalina leather-whether or not in combination with Alcantara. In total, the transformation takes up 250 man -hours and includes it more than 400 adapted parts.
125 kilos lighter than an M4 convertible
With Alpina’s motorcycle expertise, Bovensiepen is obliged to upgrade the blown 3.0-liter six-cylinder of the BMW M4. This results in a peak power of 611 hp and 700 Nm, good for a sprint of 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and a top of more than 300 km/h. The whole exudes through a Titanium exhaust system from Akrapovič. This not only lowers the rear pressure, but also weighs 40% less at 22 kg than a comparable exhaust line. The sound was specifically tuned for the GT calling of this Zagato. Furthermore, the dampers have been replaced by specially developed Damptronic shocks from Bilstein, while the new 20-inch wheels have become a bit lighter again. Nevertheless, the largest weight saving is compared to the M4 Cabrio of the fixed roof structure that is also carried out in carbon. Fully equipped, the Bovensiepen Zagato weighs 125 kg less than an M4 Cabrio, which in its basic shape already puts 2 tons on the scales.
Behind the scenes test and development work for BMW remains
The CEO brothers Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen remain vague about the new relationship with BMW. The roads of Alpina and Alpina Classic officially separate on January 1, 2026, although the production of the B3 GT (Touring) and the B4 GT will continue for a few months. Then the co -production between the two houses ends completely. Yet it is almost impossible that BMW has agreed to have the M4 Cabrio used as the basis. All the more so because the S58 M3/4 engine is fairly sacred in Munich and here 61 hp is more powerful than the strongest version that BMW itself offers. On the other hand, the two CEOs claim that they have to order an M4 Cabrio from the dealer for each top session before the conversion can begin. Behind the scenes, however, Bovensiepen would continue with test and development work for BMW, as it has been doing for decades.
How many in the next three years the question is still
At the time of writing, Bovensiepen does not want to make any statements about how many Zagatos will produce for what price. There would still be too many question marks for that, which mainly concern the intended markets and the accompanying import duties. If that knot is disrupted, the Germans can decide how much they think they will sell in the next three years. That number in turn determines how much a copy will cost.
The production restriction until 2028 does not come from Bovensiepen itself but from BMW, which has announced that the current M3/M4 will be replaced by the Neue Class successor in that year. Between 50 and 150 pieces therefore appears to be a reasoned gamble, with a price that is at the upper limit of what customers want to spend on an exclusive 911. Whether that will be a six -digit number with a 3 in the beginning, we know at the end of this year.
Because it basically remains an m4
Real Surprises Have Become Rare in the Automotive Industry. Yet the Family Behind Alpina Succeded in Surprising Friends and Enemies Alike Duration Como Car Week with A Coachbuild That No One Had Seen Coming, Except for Zagato. The Bovensiepen Zagato Comes in an Extremely Exclusive Edition and the Reason It Cannot Be Called Alpina Is that the Brand Rights of That Name Lie With BMW, and BMW Still Determines How Many of Them Can Come. After all, The Car is based on the current M4 Convertible.
Granted, Keeping A Secret at a Manufacturer with Two Hundred Employees is Easier Than At A Multinational with Twenty Thousand Employees. But It is Still QUITE AN Achievement When You Consider That Both Alpina And Zagato (And Probably also People at BMW) Were Involved in the Conception of the First Bovensiepen. That is the new figurehead of the German family of the same name that is about to cede the alpina badge to bmw. Instead, The Founding Family Will Focus On Its Fits with Alpina Klassik and At The Same Time On The Present With The Bovensiepen Brand, which Unveed Its First Creation in Como. Thanks to Coachbuilder Zagato, IT HAS Become a Modern Coachbuild. Admittedly again on an existing bmw, but this time executed very differently. This is what we already know about the gran turismo that should be ready for sale in mid-2026.
Yet not a restomod, as many thoughts
When the sale of Alpina to BMW was announced in 2022, there was much speculation about a future restomod. The Timeless BMW E9 Coupé from the 70s was Considered for This, as was the popular E30 3-series from the Following Decade. But after Several Feasibility Studies, That Avenue Turned Out To Be A Dead End For The Bovensiepens. Not only have good examples of those classics Become Rare and Expective, Converting Them Into Something Very Special would cost even more. Just look at the prices of other restomods Such as a singer 911 or kimera 037. Moreover, it was very important for the family to keep as a many employees as possible working in Buchloe, on the one hand by producing parts for classic alpina and Coachbuild in-house Together with Zagato.
Bovensiepen and Zagato Have Been Friends for a Long Time
The Friendship Between Bovensiepen Sr. and Zagato Sr. Arose Decades ago at the Geneva Motor Show. The families were standmates there for many years, which led to a close friendship between the family fathers and their sons. The Late Burkhard Bovensiepen Even Bought An Alfa Romeo SZ From Zagato, which is Still Unused in the Family Collection. When the thinking started about the direction of the new car brand, Zagato Kept Coming Up. The cult status that the Italian coachbuilder Enjoys in Japan was also tasks into account. After Germany and America, That Remains A Very Important Market for Alpina. Perhaps Not The Biggest, But The Most Fanatical, Where The Only BMW industry Alpina Concession was locationed for a long time. The fact that the bovensiepen Zagato was designed by the Japanese Norihiko Harada is the icing on the cake.
Under That Italian Suit, Still An M4
This is where the story gets really interesting. Because Despite the Separation from BMW – which Wants To Position Alpina As A Competitor For Bentley and Maybach – There is Still An M4 Under The Body of This Zagato. An M4 Convertible at that, to achieve the ultimate gt look without B-pillars and to integrate the double-bubble roof with Z-signature. The Fact That The Coachbuild is Still 142 MM Longer and 26 mm Wider than its Donor is due to the special construction method. The Carbon Panels Are Largely Draped Over The Existing Bodywork to Avoid New Homologation and Crash Test Procedures. Hence the Exterior Color Options are limited to the shades that bmw sacrifices. The canvas roof with convertible mechanism is of course replaced by a fixed copy, while the interior is fully upholstered in Lavalina Leather – Whether or not in Combination with Alcantara. In Total, The Transformation Takes 250 Man-Hours and Includes More Than 400 Modified Parts.
125 kg Lighter than An M4 Convertible
Behind the Scenes, Test and Development Work for BMW Continues
The CEO Brothers Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen Remain Vague About the New Relationship With BMW. Officially, Alpina and Alpina Classic Will part Ways on January 1, 2026, Although Production of the B3 GT (Touring) and B4 GT Will Continue for a Few More Months. After that, co-production between the two houses ends completely. Yet It is Almost Inevitable That BMW HAS Agreed to Allow Bovensiepen To Use The M4 Cabrio As A Base. ESpeciate the S58 M3/4 Engine is Fairly Sacred in Munich and Here it is still 61 HP More Powerful Than The Strongest Version That Bmw Itelf Offers. On the other hand, the two ceos claim that they have to order an m4 convertible from the dealer for every bovensiepen zagato before the conversion can start. Behind the scenes, However, Bovensiepen would Continue With Test and Development Work for BMW, AS It has Been Doing for Decades.
How much in the next three years is still the question
At the time of writing, Bovensiepen does not because to make any statements about how many zagatos it will produce for what price. There would still be still a many question marks for that, mainly concerting the intended sales markets and the associated import duties. Once That Knot Has Been Untangled, The Germans Can Decide How Many They Think They Can Sell In The Next Three Years. That number in Turn determines Exactly How much a copy will cost.
The Production Restricion Until 2028 does not come from Bovensiepen Itelf, but from BMW, which has announced that the current m3/m4 will be replaced by the neue class Successor in that year. Between 50 and 150 Units Therefore Seems A Reasoned Guess, With A Price at the Upper Limit Of What Customers Want To Spend On An Exclusive 911, For Example. Whether That Actual Becomes A Six-Figure Number With A 3 At the Beginning, We Will Know At The End Of This Year.