Alpina reveals new D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe
by Michael Harley on Aug 5th 2008 at 1:33PM 
For ALPINA, simply substituting a larger engine for added performance is considered alien. Instead, the German automaker prefers to "maximize the sporting potential of existing units." With that in mind, ALPINA has tweaked the twin-turbo diesel powerplant from the BMW 123d and dropped it under the hood of the BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe. With a new output of 214 hp, and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, the coupe will hit 62 mph in 6.9 seconds as it accelerates towards its top speed of 152 mph. Best of all, and the modus operandi behind the eco-friendly sports car, the ALPINA D3 squeezes out a combined EU fuel economy rating of 52.3 mpg with a stick shift (50.4 mpg with an automatic). Before you go running down to your neighborhood BMW dealer, we'll remind you that the ALPINA D3 will only be sold overseas with a base price starting at £32,950 (about $64,500)
[Source: Alpina]
PRESS RELEASE
The new BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe
The factor with which the new D3 Coupe is best compared to its rivals is its Power-To-Weight ratio; an equation commonly applied in motor sport. But, with heavily increased personal taxation designed to encourage energy saving and lowered emissions, the calculation is assuming wider relevance to drivers - especially those in the select niche at which this latest ALPINA is aimed.
As epitomised by the D3 Coupe, gaining extra performance simply by substituting a larger engine is alien to the ALPINA philosophy. Instead, the manufacturer, working closely with BMW, maximises the sporting potential of existing units.
ALPINA engineers have taken BMW's state-of-the-art twin turbo diesel engine from the 123d and increased power to 214hp; producing more horsepower per litre than any other engine in a current BMW or BMW ALPINA road car.
'Added lightness' makes a significant further contribution to the remarkable figures achieved by the new model.
The extra power, lightness of the engine, plus additional weight saving technology means an overall power-to-weight ratio of 146hp per tonne – virtually matching BMW's own 330d Coupe.
The car is capable of 152mph and 0-62mph in 6.9 secs and yet the official fuel consumption and emission figures tell a very different story: 52.3mpg (overall EU) and 143g/km! (manual gearbox version).
This year, around one hundred lucky UK drivers will get all the performance and exclusivity they would expect from an ALPINA but with running costs (and, for company car drivers, benefit in kind charges) they could only dream of, until now.
ALPINA GB, part of the Sytner Group, has been the sole UK importer for ALPINA since 1983. ALPINA has worked closely with BMW since 1961, with shared warranty coverage since 1964. ALPINA was registered as an automobile manufacturer to ISO standards in 1983.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Zane 1:39PM (8/05/2008)
The best BMW body - check
Striking good looks - check
Amazing fuel consumption - check
Reasonably priced - check
Result: the perfect daily driver!
WANT!!!
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chrisdavis 1:54PM (8/05/2008)
It's all relative, but I wouldn't check off that last box.
Torrent 1:57PM (8/05/2008)
Limited Numbers: Check!
The Price of 3 Priuses: Check!
Only sold overseas: Check!
Yep! Things are looking up.
3seriesisking 3:03PM (8/05/2008)
Torrent, I respect you because you always keep it real. But you have to admit, this is pretty nice right?
Zane 3:47PM (8/05/2008)
@Torrent: While I'm sad that it isn't available stateside and that the car shall be produced in limited numbers, I'd prefer to get herpes from some cheap whore than drive that ugly box on wheels called the Prius.
Mike 4:31PM (8/05/2008)
Amazing...
Kalle 4:37PM (8/05/2008)
@Torrent:
Seems that Prius has become the ultimate example of a highly economical car. Kudos to Toyota for getting there.
While I think comparing the Alpina Coupe to a Prius is just plain ridiculous even though both get high mileage you have to consider that these two cars are very different. Perhaps you should compare this to a, say, Fisker Karma roadster instead?
As for being priced reasonably or not.. it is just a matter of perspective. Besides price, I think that the Alpina is more than three times of car than a Prius. :)
Val 5:09PM (8/05/2008)
Well, to be fair, a prius costs around £17,500 so this is less than two times more expensive. For the price of a prius you can get a nice ford mondeo with a 1.8 or 2.0 TDCi engine...
Mirko 1:12PM (8/06/2008)
@Torrent
The Price of 3 Priuses: Check!
Actually it's a lot less than 2 Prii, if you compare it's European price with the European price of a Prius.
vkchu 1:41PM (8/05/2008)
is that mpg for real? bc that is most impressive.
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Snutz 1:48PM (8/05/2008)
Those are in imperial gallons. In US gallons, it comes out to 43.5 mpg. Still impressive, but not quite as amazing as 50+.
Justin 1:41PM (8/05/2008)
Impressive, even considering the extra cost of diesel, and the fact that its got way more balls under the hood than a Prius.
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Vintage 1:42PM (8/05/2008)
If they can get 50mpg out of a fat ass pig like that, then 100mpg is definitely possible with a small car, small engine and boost.
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BigMcLargeHuge 2:07PM (8/05/2008)
Yup,
I find it pitiful that the automakers are running around chasing their tails for new technologies years away from reality, when we have engines capable of great things if they'd just build lighter cars.
vkchu 2:04PM (8/05/2008)
ah yes, that sounds about right.
Mattias 2:00PM (8/05/2008)
Real world mpg for "normal" drivers with the occasional fast autobahn rides should be between 35 and 40.
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Mark 4:13AM (8/06/2008)
Yes, because everyone in europe drives on the autobahn at >100mph. you do realise that germany is the only country with unrestricted roads, and only a small percentage of the autobahn is actually unrestricted?
Plus the EU test is fairly hardcore, i often actually get better MPG out of my VW Bora TDi than is stated in the documentation, and i don't exactly drive like grandma.
vkchu 2:06PM (8/05/2008)
i cant figure out how to reply to the correct person properly. disregard prev comment. meant for snutz
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yh 2:28PM (8/05/2008)
Holy crap... even if you got 40 hwy mpg out of this car that would be pretty amazing. 200HP w/ 330lb/ft... and the mileage of a Prius. How is that not a win for a daily driver? Its just to bad its so damn expensive.
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Mirko 1:13PM (8/06/2008)
Its just to bad its so damn expensive.
It costs less than a 330d, which costs less than the 335d they will be exporting to the USA, so... it's a performance bargain.