No EVs on the horizon for Alpina

German high-performance tuner Alpina has said it has no interest or demand for an EV model just yet, despite its partners over at BMW already rolling out fully-electric vehicles.

The Buchloe-based crew are well known for turning up the wick on BMW models, currently selling tuned versions of the X3 (XD3), 5 Series (B5) and 3 Series (B3) among others in Australia through BMW dealerships.

However, Alpina CEO Andreas Bovensiepen says his company has no intention of selling any electric vehicles in the near future, even after BMW released the i4 M50, a 400kW all-wheel-drive substitute for the 4 Series.

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BMW's i4 will pack a 400kW punch with a driving range of 510km

Speaking with German website Bimmer Today, Bovensiepen put his firm's hesitancy down to a lack of demand and limitations associated with electric vehicles.

"We have customers, especially in Europe, who drive 30,000 to 50,000 kilometres a year," said Bovensiepen.

"[Last year] we carried out a customer survey on the subject of hybrid and BEV. Our customers [felt] no demand for battery-electric models.

"This is also due to the high mileage: Alpina customers want to drive fast and accelerate strongly, especially in Germany – so of course [driving] ranges are still an issue.

"If you were to transfer eight-cylinder driving behaviour to a BEV, the [driving] ranges would probably be a maximum of 200 kilometres. Especially when I want to go fast, it just doesn't work."

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The Alpina XD3 features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system in addition to its 3-litre turbo diesel in-line six cylinder engine

When asked about whether Alpina would consider working on its own i4 or iX SUV, Bovensiepen told Bimmer Today it was unlikely given the brand's current projects and models.

"Our resources are limited. First of all, we want to build what our regular customers want. We observe the market and deal with the new technologies, but it is not to be expected that a BMW Alpina will come as a BEV vehicle in the short term.

"We may have to offer a hybrid or a battery-electric vehicle in the medium term. We are looking closely at the demand for the BMW i4 and iX3. With the BMW iX we are not sure."

The recently updated Alpina XD3 diesel will be launched in Australia later this year with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, boosting power and torque to 261kW/730Nm, a 66kW/110Nm increase over the X3 upon which it is based.