Photo: CAR Magazine
If you're looking to an alternative to BMW and don't want to go to Audi or Mercedes-Benz, Alpina is the brand for you. Even though their cars look strikingly similar, the Alpina creations have a little something on the side.
The guys from CAR Magazine tested the B3 Bi-Turbo ahead of the official launch of the 2014 BMW F80 M3. Just as expected, the B3 provided quite a lot of thrills and set new standards in the compact sedan segment.
The 3-liter engine on the car, used on the 335i model, was upgraded and now has 2 turbochargers, 410 HP and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque at its disposal. Hooked up to either a rear-wheel-drive transmission or an all-wheel-drive one, the B3 is a completely new vehicle.
As for the performance, it should be said that the upcoming M3 has some pretty stiff competition ahead of it. The 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint is done in 4.2 seconds for the rear-wheel-drive model and 4 seconds flat for the AWD version.
Around the corners the car handles exceptionally well, especially thanks to the new Eibach springs, new anti-roll bars and Alpina dampers. Traction is plenty, despite the massive torque numbers but the brakes could use a slight improvement.
Bottom line, until the new M3 shows up, this B3 is the perfect alternative. When the F80 model will show up, we'll have to drive them side by side to see which is best but until then, this is as close as it gets.
Via: CAR Magazine
The 3-liter engine on the car, used on the 335i model, was upgraded and now has 2 turbochargers, 410 HP and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque at its disposal. Hooked up to either a rear-wheel-drive transmission or an all-wheel-drive one, the B3 is a completely new vehicle.
As for the performance, it should be said that the upcoming M3 has some pretty stiff competition ahead of it. The 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint is done in 4.2 seconds for the rear-wheel-drive model and 4 seconds flat for the AWD version.
Around the corners the car handles exceptionally well, especially thanks to the new Eibach springs, new anti-roll bars and Alpina dampers. Traction is plenty, despite the massive torque numbers but the brakes could use a slight improvement.
Bottom line, until the new M3 shows up, this B3 is the perfect alternative. When the F80 model will show up, we'll have to drive them side by side to see which is best but until then, this is as close as it gets.
Via: CAR Magazine
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