Yesterday, a group of journalists had the chance to drive the newly facelifted ALPINA B7, our own Horatiu among them. While driving impressions are still under embargo, there is some other information coming from Buchloe. Some very exciting information. According to this report from CNET’s Roadshow, there will be an ALPINA B8 Gran Coupe and it will come to the US market.

“We will have a replacement for the 6 Series Gran Coupe,” ALPINA  Boss Andreas Bovensiepen told Roadshow at the drive event. “Customers will expect a successor.”

ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe

As you may already know, the ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe was one of the coolest cars to come from either ALPINA or BMW in recent memory. Not only was it spectacular to look at but it was spectacular to drive as well. Now that it’s gone, though, ALPINA will sink its teeth into the new 8 Series Gran Coupe, a car that’s arguably even better looking than its predecessor. When the ALPINA B8 Gran Coupe finally debuts, there’s a good chance it comes to the US market.

“When we had the B6 and B7 it was the first time that we had two model lines in the United States running parallel,” said ALPINA product manager Jonathan Ganser. “The United States is an important market for us in terms of volumes, even though it’s an overall small-volume company. We want to make sure that we have two different life-cycles interact so we don’t drop off with US volumes completely.”

A BMW USA representative wouldn’t confirm to Roadshow that the B8 Gran Coupe would come to America but did state that new ALPINA models are on the way. Put that together with the fact that a B8 Gran Coupe is coming and the B6 Gran Coupe was old in America and it seems likely that the new car will be here as well.

We don’t know exactly what the ALPINA B8 Gran Coupe will be like but it’s probably not hard to guess. Like most ALPINA models, it will likely have about as much power as the BMW M8 Gran Coupe, so expect around 600 hp-ish. Though, it will be much more luxurious than the M8 Gran Coupe, with softer leather and a more comfortable suspension. Also, it will look the business, thanks to ALPINA’s killer wheels and gorgeous paintwork/livery. We can’t wait.

[Source: CNET Roadshow]