Alpina's CEO on the Past, Present, and Future of Fast BMWs - TST Podcast

Andreas Bovensiepen is the CEO of Alpina, the famous company that takes BMWs and turns them into some of the fastest and most exclusive sleepers available. Alpina Automobiles was founded in 1965 by Andreas' father, Burkard Bovensiepen. That company started out in typewriters before moving into textiles and ultimately, building fast cars. We know which we prefer.
We ask about how the company started; about his experience working for BMW before going to Alpina; attempting to put a V12 in a Z8; why putting an automatic in a car was a good idea; why racing is important; the reason for reasoning behind those famous 20-spoke wheels; why he bought an NSX; and what he thinks of BMW's new grills.
Recorded February 10, 2023
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0:00 Preview
0:34 Sponsors
5:18 Show Contents- Alpina!
6:13 Start
7:25 Start of Alpina
9:50 Niki Lauda came knocking
12:13 Iconic 20-spoke wheel design
13:17 Passion vs Marketing
14:48 BMW Starting M Division
16:15 Flashy designs in a sea of black
17:55 When Andreas started
19:25 Alpina Z8
23:30 Alpina B7 development
24:15 Much more than a tuner company
26:20 Alpina customer vs BMW M customer
27:26 Sponsor- NASCAR
28:32 Turbo V8 Wagons
30:04 Parts made in-house
32:00 Tuner company vs Manufacturer
33:30 Heritage rebuild vehicles in the future
34:18 Attempts that didn't work
37:16 Nostalgia vs The Next Project
39:55 The next few years with BMW
42:44 Wine!
46:24 Patreon questions
46:46 North American market
48:05 Big new BMW grilles
48:40 Environmental regulations good for tuners
50:35 SUV owners vs sedan owners
51:33 Favorite non-Alpina car
52:07 Inspiration for the deco stripe
53:21 Racecar development company advice
53:55 Influence over design philosophy
55:08 Benchmark other forms of transportation
55:50 Favorite car at cars and coffee
56:45 Classic Alpina service in US
57:30 Flying back to Germany
58:05 See you next week
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[@Nightmaretyrant]

The M sport virgin vs the chad Alpina gentleman.

[@asadkhan-qm1my]

Shout-out to the CEO for helping Sreten with his Alpina build.

[@mapko15]

They were 1000% not expecting the new Z to be his favorite car that he saw that morning lol

[@racechassis]

Man casually drops "I've got a 964 cup car, and I love porsche" 😅 what a legend 👏

[@pan4632]

this was a nice change of pace from the jonny liebrman episode 😂

[@nichollpictures]

Loved this episode! Would love to see Andreas Preuninger on one time to talk about all things Porsche GT.

[@BrendanEvan]

0:00 Preview 0:34 Sponsors 5:18 Show Contents- Alpina! 6:13 Start 7:25 Start of Alpina 9:50 Niki Lauda came knocking 12:13 Iconic 20-spoke wheel design 13:17 Passion vs Marketing 14:48 BMW Starting M Division 16:15 Flashy designs in a sea of black 17:55 When Andreas started 19:25 Alpina Z8 23:30 Alpina B7 development 24:15 Much more than a tuner company 26:20 Alpina customer vs BMW M customer 27:26 Sponsor- NASCAR 28:32 Turbo V8 Wagons 30:04 Parts made in-house 32:00 Tuner company vs Manufacturer 33:30 Heritage rebuild vehicles in the future 34:18 Attempts that didn't work 37:16 Nostalgia vs The Next Project 39:55 The next few years with BMW 42:44 Wine! 46:24 Patreon questions 46:46 North American market 48:05 Big new BMW grilles 48:40 Environmental regulations good for tuners 50:35 SUV owners vs sedan owners 51:33 Favorite non-Alpina car 52:07 Inspiration for the deco stripe 53:21 Racecar development company advice 53:55 Influence over design philosophy 55:08 Benchmark other forms of transportation 55:50 Favorite car at cars and coffee 56:45 Classic Alpina service in US 57:30 Flying back to Germany 58:05 See you next week

[@RichardGoose]

9:30 Matt interrupts Mr. Alpina to get excited about food

[@22trevorc]

In my opinion he's the ultimate car guy, he appreciates various different types of cars

[@SpontaneousEvolution]

Wow! I'm well into this. Wish it was longer.

[@keyboardbrick1686]

I've an Alpina G20 3 Series and love it. Something about them that tickles my pickle unlike the standard car.

[@brandonchism6960]

I’m commenting on here, but listened to the podcast on Apple. This guy was great Matt!!! To hear his father’s story and his passion for cars was truly insightful. I’m sure I along with many of your listeners wish we had access to their touring versions. I hope you’re able to continue getting guests like this in the future.

[@afhyoutube]

Whoa. Great interview. Same its only 50mins.

[@ericbergstrom9351]

I made it to 25:30 resisting the urge to comment that this host is a plug But when he said “VIN number” to the royalty of Alpina, holy F, couldn’t stop my rage

[@jasondurden2803]

The B3 & B5 wagons are for when BMW M cars are just too common. Love the brand values.

[@addamussi]

It's a shame the Alpina i8 didn't work out, that would have been a gem

[@pirkkaruuska5766]

I am surprised, that Andreas didnt correct Matt about the B5. The B5 is based on the 5 series, not 3(that is the B3). B3 uses the inline 6, not V8. But still... awesome show.

[@DBGMLV]

Probably for him in his head it's clear B3 - 3 Series, B5 - 5 Series, as he deals with this on a daily basis and didn't even make the connection that what Matt was saying was mismatched.

[@tomeschbach1871]

On looks alone, this guy couldn't be anything other than a german executive

[@realnemo4554]

I love alpina especially the older stuff such as the e30’s

[@andrewhurstcars]

Great interview and fantastic car company. Alpina the connoisseur’s choice 👌🏻

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

Alpina is almost a neighbour of mine, did never see the Guy in an interview yet - Andreas Bovensiepen - never saw him in an interview. But in Smoking Tire! Also that BMW bought Alpina - I had no idea! Breaking news here in the channel!!! well at least for me 😀

[@iluvbrownies64]

Ehrlich? Dass BMW Alpina kauft stand ca. Frühjahr/Sommer 2022 meiner Erinnerung nach in der Mindelheimer Zeitung. Aber vielleicht bevorzugst du als "Bavarian Car Enthusiast" ja den Ingolstädter NSU-Verschnitt ;)

[@DamonBlack_Media]

My guy Andreas hitting the desk so often while speaking I thought he'd start pounding out the drum beat for The Clipse "Grinding". Jokes aside: great show fellas. 👍🏽

[@Blacktouch2000]

I wish this episode was 15 hours long

[@taylorswatches881]

Being a Dad changed my perspective of my work life 100%

[@yoker3032]

You really need to put time stamps sir…appreciate these podcasts

[@Glypto7]

He usually does lol

[@DctorSkillz1]

@@Glypto7 That one really awesome guy does the timestamps and then TST adds them.

[@pikachusolu1606]

I have never seen a podcast channel this lazy. Matt should learn something from big podcast like JRE

[@BrendanEvan]

0:00 Preview 0:34 Sponsors 5:18 Show Contents- Alpina! 6:13 Start 7:25 Start of Alpina 9:50 Niki Lauda came knocking 12:13 Iconic 20-spoke wheel design 13:17 Passion vs Marketing 14:48 BMW Starting M Division 16:15 Flashy designs in a sea of black 17:55 When Andreas started 19:25 Alpina Z8 23:30 Alpina B7 development 24:15 Much more than a tuner company 26:20 Alpina customer vs BMW M customer 27:26 Sponsor- NASCAR 28:32 Turbo V8 Wagons 30:04 Parts made in-house 32:00 Tuner company vs Manufacturer 33:30 Heritage rebuild vehicles in the future 34:18 Attempts that didn't work 37:16 Nostalgia vs The Next Project 39:55 The next few years with BMW 42:44 Wine! 46:24 Patreon questions 46:46 North American market 48:05 Big new BMW grilles 48:40 Environmental regulations good for tuners 50:35 SUV owners vs sedan owners 51:33 Favorite non-Alpina car 52:07 Inspiration for the deco stripe 53:21 Racecar development company advice 53:55 Influence over design philosophy 55:08 Benchmark other forms of transportation 55:50 Favorite car at cars and coffee 56:45 Classic Alpina service in US 57:30 Flying back to Germany 58:05 See you next week

[@joshuahenry7482]

Switchblade was the word you were looking for. A Stiletto is a fixed blade knife.

[@ChadwickJames]

Truly an engineering marvel. A genuine tour de farce.

[@RealRacingRoots99]

What an awesome guest, the CEO of Alpina! That fucking rules!

[@bradcollins4114]

28:55 how does that work? Really fucking well. The B5 Touring has to be the best single car garage possible

[@MrRaitzi]

All big power wagons are great usually. Alpina rides as well as Volvo but more enthusiast tuning in handling.

[@pavelmintz]

I have b3s e91 Allrad since 2014. Will never sell it. It’s magic. Have and had m cars , 911 , Alfa , there is something so special about loins specially for longer trips , it’s unmatched

[@darienlux4735]

Loving this interview

[@energymc22]

E34 B10 Biturbo, in red what a dream

[@timmietz]

Love my XB7. Enjoy it every time I drive it. They need to sell the entire product line in the US. Especially then wagons!

[@bsg1372]

Another great podcast, glad to see heavy hitters come thru

[@Car0917]

Thank you for the video

[@ArneAsada69]

That 3series wagon!❤

[@autodata2011]

Great episode, learned a lot about ALPINA, thank you!

[@VG22.]

LOVE ALPINA and their vehicles.

[@Masblaster]

Is anyone else using headphones? Andreas Bovensiepen hitting the table is killing me otherwise great show.

[@FunnymanAintAfrican]

That's just the German translation of his English words.

[@Masblaster]

@@FunnymanAintAfrican 🤣

[@Orcawhale1]

Yeah, it's really annoying, tbh.

[@vbimmerr]

Very interesting episode, what an interesting guest! Thank you

[@LAUTTHEKRAUT]

We need a video just on the lowrider scene in Japan!

[@AleksandrHalas]

Tremendously exciting

[@crossandshoot796]

About time you guys got a mic stand independent of the desk

[@Nicolasem]

man, great episode , ANY alpina is cool !

[@ClassicCarCustodians]

Amazing family. Great people.

[@CLaFong]

Great podcast.

[@Ahhhdam850]

heavy hitter!!!! LETS GOOOOO

[@2050Wheels]

Great great episode

[@zedfender9423]

Remember this guy taking Joe achilies for a blast a few years ago. Hes got skills.. If you like this check it out. Hes doing some alpina opposite lock goodness.

[@Mahic408]

The heavy hitters are back!

[@rashesthippo]

That mid roll ad had me surprised, it's uncommon for TST podcast. get that money boys!

[@mcspikesky]

Life's tough in the peasant class

[@rashesthippo]

@@mcspikesky no complaints from me, I am happy they are getting money for mid roll ads. More power to them. I just don't do Patreon because I am sick of subscriptions.

[@ncedition]

When will Alpina build their own chassis with BMW technology ?

[@1Reddd]

Matt has a habit of cutting off his guests mid question with another question. Other than that I appreciate these podcasts

[@Liladelph]

This episode may actually put you on the map.

[@helmetculture]

No timestamps Zach!?

[@Then.Jonnnny]

Is someone tapping mics or something listening on apple podcast theres a thumping in the background

[@JSINATRA5580]

💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💨💨💨

[@panicdeluxe1337]

PLS mount your mics not on the same surface people put their fists on. Please!

[@ericbergstrom9351]

Watch a German internally wrestle with having allowed this guy a factory tour

[@Martin-kc1xj]

Oh wow, the Team Fortress 2 Medic is on the podcast! He aged very well, still in great shape!

[@Wirenfeldt1990]

Had to find something else to do after losing his medical license..

[@galactictomato1434]

Looks like Zack forgot to cut 😛

[@nololol]

I kept thinking he was saying c8 instead of z8 so my brain went to spyker then corvette then I realized I'm a moron....good pod boys you been on a good run

[@verdict1163]

All Europeans are named "Andreas". Change my mind.

[@niklasfabricius5530]

Hi

[@afhyoutube]

What is Matt talking about? All the Alpina Roadster V8s are automatic. There are no manuals.

[@Wirenfeldt1990]

Yes.. BMW made the manual and Alpina swapped in the Automatic.. I am also reasonably sure they both said as much in the show...

[@OldSkoolUncleChris]

@@Wirenfeldt1990 In the very early 80’s Alpina were known for importing into USA manual BMW’s of course. But things change and as you say they became known for auto

[@grantmasson5579]

think of the environment! Go Green🌱😂

[@simeonivanov3507]

Alpina make the best Al round car in the world. THE BEAUTIFUL BMW B5 TOURING. THAT CAR IS AS GOOD AS THEY COME .And is even not that expensive. THERE IS NOTHING ON THAT PRICE AND EVEN 100 K MORE THAT IS AS GOOD AS THAT .