Alpina reveals new D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe

Michael Harley — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Coupe, Europe, Green, BMW

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]

Continue reading Alpina reveals new D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe

Alpina reveals new D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW Alpina D3: Economical Excitement

Alex Nunez — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Europe, BMW

Let's mull over some numbers.

2.0 liters. 200 horsepower. 302 lb-ft. 7.4 seconds. 6 speeds. 47.9 miles per gallon* combined.

Put them all together in one car, and you have the Alpina D3, a serious diesel performer wrapped up in a BMW 3-series shell and made better by the magicians at Alpina. Packing 100hp/liter, the D3 is more than capable of holding its own against BMW's 330i. Sure the 330 is a second quicker to 60, but we're betting that the Alpina-massaged diesel is the more fun car to drive, thanks to its sizeable torque -- better than the 330's gasoline I6's by 82 lb-ft.

At the fuel pump, the matchup between the D3 and a 330i turns into a rout. The D3's 47.9 mpg rivals the numbers put out by some city cars, and is significantly better than the 330i's 32 mpg in the combined cycle. Consider that the 330 also requires premium unleaded and the economy gap widens even further.

Finally, since it's an Alpina, buyers get the special blue paint, an exclusive aero kit, 19" wheels, and an impressive list of interior upgrades. All that for £26,995? It's a steal. The 330i's pricing starts at over £2,000 more, and while it's undeniably excellent, it lacks the Alpina's cachet.

Powerful, economical, exclusive and fun -- that's the BMW Alpina D3 in a nutshell. We'd love to have one.

*MPG figures are in Imperial gallons. 1 Imperial gallon = 1.2 gallons

(Pics, Press Release after the jump)

[Source: Alpina]

Continue reading BMW Alpina D3: Economical Excitement

BMW Alpina D3: Economical Excitement originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Sep 2006 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments