New Alpina B3 and B4 GT revealed with 529hp
We've not long left of born and bred in Buchloe BMWs - they're going out in style
If the news of a BMW update can often be met with indifference, then it’s easy to take comfort in the knowledge that a facelifted BMW will often mean a facelifted Alpina as well. And that’s always good news. Moreover, for the latest G20 3 Series, Alpina has gone beyond just a new B3; with presumably not many, if any, new cars left to work their magic on before becoming part of the mothership, it’s made a GT.
As it did with the larger B5, this means an improvement on pretty much everything. Said to be impressed by the reinforced connection between body and rear dampers in the stock 3 Series refresh, Alpina has added to it with a sturdy (and beautiful) front strut brace to further benefit rigidity and ‘noticeably increase’ steering precision. The steering system itself has been further honed, a new damper design employed, a stiffer front anti-roll bar is in and the xDrive has received a rework for additional rearward bias. The promise is of a driving experience ‘characterised by dynamism and agility.’ Nice.
The current generation of Alpina B3 and B4 were never lacking in performance, though nobody’s likely to refuse some extra power if it’s on offer. The 3.0-litre twin turbo straight six nestled between the strut braces now outputs 529hp and 538lb ft; that’s the same torque as before, but another 34hp - and just a solitary Pferdstarke behind the Competition M cars. This has been achieved with an ECU tweak, and means all models are capable of at least 189mph.
Distinguishing the GT models from previous B3s and B4s are a new front end complete with canards said to benefit lift; perhaps a tad OTT for an Alpina, you might say, though at least it still goes without the M grille. The rear diffuser gets a new look as well to balance out the aero. It’s the forged Alpina Classic wheels that are likely to garner the most attention, however, painted for the GT in Oro Tecnico. The colour is a first for Alpina, as is a colour-matched decal set specific to these B3s and B4s. Presumably silver will still be available if you ask nicely.
Mostly the GT interior is familiar from the 3 Series, complete with bigger screens and fewer buttons than ever. The Alpinafication includes standard carbon trim, Lavalina leather everywhere, a build plaque and a new steering wheel. The anodized aluminium shift paddles also come with every car.
It’s not going to be terrible, then, this new Alpina. Exact numbers haven’t been confirmed for the B3 and B4 GT (the B5 was limited to 250 units) though suffice it to say there aren’t likely to be many. Prices start at £89,300 for the saloon, £90,400 for the Touring and £91,400 for the Gran Coupe-based B4. The configurator is live already if you’ve nothing to do this afternoon, and Alpina recommends Daytona Violet to go with the gold. Because of course it does.
I did a back to back test drive of the B3 and the M3T and the cars felt significantly different, with the M3 much closer to my M2 than I expected it to be.
If I was doing lots of motorway miles or had a long commute the Alpina would probably be the better pick, but I'm not sure the B3 would be quite as much fun. Both fantastic cars, just built to very different briefs.
Be nice for all of us if people actually bought Alpinas though...
Cars are an utter waste of money. Period.
I like cars like everyone else, but the unnecessary modern churn is endless in the pursuit of greed/money. Society has been brainwashed into needing the latest. Your pondering over the style of the dash.
BUT, this would be my choice for a Euromillions win daily:
https://www.bramley.com/stock/2024-bmw-alpina-b5-g...
A bit more space. And the perfect spec: Green over tan, clear glass. Yum.
Is it simply that Alpina feel the GT is a better starting point for a touring conversion?
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2023-al...
Or a quick search on google throws up other articles eg EVO etc .....
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