Trust Alpina to make diesel desirable again. Following on from the mild-hybrid M340d's addition to the BMW UK line-up, the flagship 3 Series diesel has now been given the Alpina overhaul to make it, seemingly, yet more attractive.
The last time Alpina made a D3, it wasn't far off superlative: the petrol B3s always face the inevitable M3 comparisons, which is less of a problem for the diesel, as it was sufficiently more expensive and powerful than a 335d. Then with a tweak here, a fettle there and a finessing just about all over, Alpina created a do-it-all great with the F30 D3: fast, stylish, dynamic, unassuming and economical. Last time we featured a D3 from the classifieds it had only lost half its value in more than five years and nearly 90,000 miles - they're very desirable cars.
Whether the same will hold true for this latest D3 remains to be seen. Of course, attitudes to diesel now are very different to what they were in 2014, and there's also the fact that the M340d is a vastly more potent car than any previous Alpina diesel donor. While it's said that this D3 S benefits from Alpina's own high-performance cooling upgrade and "its eager willingness to rev up to the redline", its 355hp and 538lb ft peaks are only 15hp and 22lb ft more than standard. Which stand to make it a ludicrously fast diesel car, sure, yet precious little faster than the BMW equivalent - the 4.6- and 4.8-second 0-62mph times for saloon and Touring respectively are identical to a 40d. Top speed is said to be 170mph (or 168mph as a wagon), with revisions to the eight-speed auto software promising rapid responses and swift shifts.
The chassis is usually where Alpinas feel their premium over a BMW, however. Interestingly this D3 S ditches the standard springs for a set from Eibach, working with the standard Variable Damper Control. The addition of new bumpstops and roll bars is said to deliver "tactile feedback" and "superior handling in every driving situation." The former here should be assisted by bespoke Pirelli P Zeros, changes to the variable sports steering and forged, lighter wheels, behind which sit the brakes from a B5: at the front that means enormous 395mm discs.
Elsewhere, the Alpina overhaul is familiar: the quad exhausts out back, a branded, deeper splitter up front, the blue calipers and a modest rear spoiler. The interior is kitted out with Lavalina leather, a build plaque and Alpina accents. It looks - and most probably will be - a really nice spot for whatever driving duty is required of it.
So while demand for diesel might be down - the new WLTP test knocks 7mpg off the NEDC 44.1mpg claim - a combination of familiar Alpina elements make the D3's case a strong one. It's expected to arrive with UK customers before the end of the year; priced at €70,500 or €71,900 in its home market should mean prices around £60,000 in the UK. Or, as mentioned, you could check out those old ones...
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