FYI: The new Alpina B8 GT Homage celebrates the legacy of Brukard Bovensiepen with standout performance and exclusivity. Limited to just 99 units, it serves as a high-powered swan song before BMW takes over Alpina production in 2025.
Alpina, the renowned German manufacturer known for enhancing BMW vehicles, has unveiled the B8 GT Homage, a potent special edition of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe. Released as a tribute to the company’s late founder, Brukard Bovensiepen, who passed away in 2023, this limited-run model represents a fitting nod to Bovensiepen’s enduring influence on the brand. With plans to produce just 99 units, the B8 GT Homage stands as a rare and powerful edition that heads up Alpina’s portfolio ahead of its 2025 transition to being under BMW’s production arm.
A Tribute in Motion
The Alpina B8 GT Homage pays homage not only in naming but through its formidable performance enhancements. Equipped with a robust twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, it delivers an elevated 625 horsepower, an upgrade from the 612 horsepower configuration in the standard Alpina B8. This engineering feat allows the vehicle to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds, emphasizing its prowess with a top speed of 205 mph.
Design and Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship details abound in the B8 GT Homage. Twenty units are offered with an optional two-tone paint scheme, available in blue or green with a sophisticated black top, creating an aesthetic as dynamic as its performance. Handling improvements include new bulkhead struts to fine-tune agility, supplemented by Alpina’s unique tweaks to the BMW 8 Series’ all-wheel-drive system, optimizing power delivery predominantly to the rear wheels.
Underpinning Performance
In addition to the high-performance engine, the Alpina B8 GT Homage features an electronic differential and model-specific Pirelli P Zero tires, supplemented by striking 21-inch wheels. Such meticulous attention to detail ensures enhanced driving dynamics, while carbon fiber flicks at the front add a touch of aerodynamic sophistication.
Interior Elegance and Exclusivity
Internally, the car maintains Alpina’s emphasis on luxury and exclusivity. A Brukard Bovensiepen signature embellishes the headrests, with backlit door sill treadplates making an elegant statement of authenticity and homage to the founder’s legacy.
Availability and Pricing
Alas, for fans in the United States, the Alpina B8 GT won’t be available in the local market. However, automotive enthusiasts in Germany can expect prices to start at 225,000 euros (about $231,500), with an additional premium for the two-tone paintwork.
Conclusion: A Final Chapter of Performance Excellence
Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi, notes that the Alpina B8 GT Homage Brukard Bovensiepen doesn’t just mark an end but rather celebrates a rich legacy. It’s a fitting curtain call for Alpina’s bespoke touch on BMW vehicles, embodying a fusion of luxury, performance, and the craftsmanship hallmarks that have defined the brand under Bovensiepen’s guidance.
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