BMW 3 Series-based Alpina B3 breaks cover
ALPINA is ramping up its own hot take on the latest BMW 3 Series, judging by these latest spy images of the next-generation B3 saloon undergoing testing.
The specialist Bavarian manufacturer – whose products are assembled on the main BMW lines, before bespoke retrimming takes place at a small factory in Buchloe – considers the B3 as one of its ‘mainstream’ models. As ever, the firm will offer two versions: the B3 and the more potent B3 S.
Our new images show reprofiled front and rear bumpers, with space for Alpina’s traditional branding at the bottom edge of the front splitter. The front alloy wheels are also of a multispoke Alpina design, letting the engineers test brake cooling.
The car is expected to be powered by a retuned version of BMW’s B58 3.0-litre straight-six petrol turbo. Alpina’s reworking, along with a bespoke exhaust system, should allow the unit to produce more than 450bhp. That’s a useful increase over the old B3 S’s output but, in typical Alpina fashion, not quite the same level of grunt as the next M3 that BMW itself is developing. Meanwhile, the chassis will feature adaptive dampers with Alpina’s own software map.
There’s no word yet on when the car will go on sale. However, Alpina traditionally launches major models at the Geneva Motor Show, so a spring debut is possible.
Expect prices to start at around £65,000 for the B3, and go north of £70k for a B3 S. Unlike BMW’s M3, the Alpina product will continue to be offered in four-door saloon and estate bodystyles; and a B4 coupé and convertible are in the pipeline, too.