Photo: SB Medien
The heated subject of a possible BMW M3 Touring model has come back into the limelight lately, thanks to a rumor coming in from Slovakia. The thing is, the Germans are still claiming nothing of such sorts will come out anytime soon, but we might have a proper replacement in the works as we speak.
Our spy photographers caught up with the first prototype of the upcoming Alpina B3 Biturbo facelift model. It was also a Touring version as faith would have and you might be inclined to ask what does this have to do with anything.
Well, in case you didn't know, Alpina B3 Biturbo models have power outputs dangerously close to what the M3 is bringing to the table. The revised N55 plants they make put down 410 HP and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque, enough for incredible performance.
The best part about it is that they also make a Touring model and what you see in the photos below is the new model. Since BMW launched its facelift 3 Series range a while back, Alpina couldn't just fall behind and not offer it anymore to its prospective customers.
There's a trick to be taken into account though. The German tuner/manufacturer usually upgrades the top of the line models. That means that they will be focusing on enhancing the new 340i model which comes with the new-age B58 3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine.
Compared to the previous top dog, the 335i, this version has more power and torque at its disposal, being rated at 326 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That could also mean that the future Alpina B3 Biturbo could have a small hike in performance which would bring it extremely close to the M3.
Therefore, if you ever wanted an M3 Touring model but couldn't get one because BMW refuses to build it, you might wish to take a look at what Alpina has to offer.
Of course, at the moment this is all speculation, but considering that the Buchloe-based tuner/manufacturer usually does provide cars with incredible specs, it's more than likely to see a B3 Biturbo Touring with 430 HP and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque.
Well, in case you didn't know, Alpina B3 Biturbo models have power outputs dangerously close to what the M3 is bringing to the table. The revised N55 plants they make put down 410 HP and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque, enough for incredible performance.
The best part about it is that they also make a Touring model and what you see in the photos below is the new model. Since BMW launched its facelift 3 Series range a while back, Alpina couldn't just fall behind and not offer it anymore to its prospective customers.
There's a trick to be taken into account though. The German tuner/manufacturer usually upgrades the top of the line models. That means that they will be focusing on enhancing the new 340i model which comes with the new-age B58 3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine.
Compared to the previous top dog, the 335i, this version has more power and torque at its disposal, being rated at 326 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That could also mean that the future Alpina B3 Biturbo could have a small hike in performance which would bring it extremely close to the M3.
Therefore, if you ever wanted an M3 Touring model but couldn't get one because BMW refuses to build it, you might wish to take a look at what Alpina has to offer.
Of course, at the moment this is all speculation, but considering that the Buchloe-based tuner/manufacturer usually does provide cars with incredible specs, it's more than likely to see a B3 Biturbo Touring with 430 HP and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque.
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