We're big fans of Alpina at PH and after the admittedly rather disappointing E60 B5, Alpina has been on a roll recently with the latest
D5
and B3 GT3. We've got a standard F30-based B3 Bi-Turbo for a week from Monday, and will bring you our impressions as soon as possible.
Engine sorted through XD3's 350hp 3.0 diesel
For Frankfurt, Alpina is set to unveil its diesel counterpart, the D3 Bi-Turbo. Without any official details yet, it seems likely the D3 will use BMW's twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel to achieve some performance parity with the 410hp and 442lb ft of the petrol. In the recently launched XD3 Bi-Turbo, that diesel makes 350hp and 516lb ft, so that's the logical powertrain choice.
Expect too a similar cosmetic overhaul to the petrol B3, with the trademark Alpina wheels, spoilers and dials added to distinguish the D3.
Though it won't attract the headlines like the Bi-Turbo, a four-cylinder D3 replacement seems likely at some point also. Its popularity in Britain (we've got 14 E90 D3s for sale) and the confirmation of a six-cylinder D3 suggests a lower-powered version will follow. It could use the 320d (184hp and 280lb ft) or 125d (218hp, 332lb ft) engine as its basis.
Images: Autocar (and yes, the lead image is a B3)