Alpina D3 Bi-turbo saloon and estate revealed
* Fastest diesel production car revealed * D3 produces 345bhp and 516lb ft of torque * Available to order now, priced from £46,950...
The new Alpina D3 Bi-turbo will cost £46,950 in saloon guise and £49,950 for the estate when it appears at dealers.
The D3’s engine is based on the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel that appears in the latest BMW 335d, but modifications to the air intake, cooling system and exhaust mean that it produces an extra 36bhp and 51lb ft of torque. The headline figures are 345bhp and 516lb ft.
Power is delivered through BMW’s eight-speed automatic gearbox, which propels the the D3 from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speeds are 173mph for the saloon and 172mph for the estate.
Despite the impressive performance figures, the D3 saloon returns 53.3mpg in official tests, with CO2 emissions of just 139g/km. The estate manages 52.3mpg and emits 142g/km CO2.
The D3’s pricing means it will cost between £5795 and £7500 more than the closely related BMW 335d M Sport saloon and estate, but the upgrades aren't limited to the engine bay.
On the outside, there’s a bespoke front splitter and new side skirts, as well as dual twin exhaust tailpipes. BMW’s adaptive M Sport suspension is fitted as standard, while 19-inch wheels in familiar Alpina 20-spoke design fill the wheel arches.
The D3 comes with plenty of equipment as standard, including leather upholstery, heated sports seats, climate control and bi-xenon headlights. There’s a sprinkling of Alpina logos around the cabin, and buyers will be able to customise their car with a range of bespoke interior finishes.
Buyers can order the Alpina D3 Bi-turbo now, while the rival BMW 335d models will be available to test drive at dealers from early November.
