The increasing success of hybrids and pure electric vehicles is forcing ALPINA to consider a future hybrid in their lineup. In recent years, the Buchloe-based automaker has seen significant success with their diesel models in Europe.
Speaking at the firm’s recent 50th birthday celebrations, CEO Andy Bovensiepen said: “Hybrid technology is advancing quickly. We’re now seeing what I’d call ‘second-generation’ hybrids and EVs, like the BMW i8, and it’s becoming more interesting.” Furthermore, Bovensiepen says that until now the hybrid technology wasn’t good enough to be considered by the small automaker, but the landscape and technology have changed.
“The thing we have to remember is that our customers like to drive quickly and they also buy our cars to be used daily. And hybrid technology hasn’t been good enough for that up to now. The danger is that the car is terrific for 200 miles, but then the small battery runs out and for the rest of the journey you have a disappointing drive.
“If we have a good technical base of a car from BMW and we also see the sales figures taking off, then we could have a car ready within two years.”
ALPINA’s CEO also said Alpina would continue to look at alternative fossil fuels, including LPG, as well as hybrid applications.
“We can’t forget our six-cylinder petrol engine,” he said. “Sure, we have strong demand for diesel, but the gains in petrol engines have been very strong as well.”
[Source: Autocar]
