Photo: SB Medien
Back in 2014, the BMW X3 received a well-deserved facelift. The SUV needed an infusion of fresh technology since it was launched back in 2011 and was still coming out of the production lines with old tech on board. Following in the footsteps of BMW as usual, the Alpina XD3 Biturbo facelift came out towards the end of 2014.
The model followed the same success recipe used by the Buchloe-based manufacturer for years: they took the regular X3 and gave it the Alpina treatment.
That includes a fresh set of aerodynamic parts, like a new front bumper with an add-on spoiler, new stripes down the sides of the car, new side sills and a revised rear bumper that now houses no less than four tailpipes instead of the traditional layout of BMW.
The biggest changes happen under the bonnet, as usual. Since the XD3 is the company’s first SUV product, Alpina had to set an example. Therefore, they took the fastest model in the range and upgraded it. Coincidence or not, that happened to be a diesel, the xDrive35d version.
In stock guise, it has 313 HP and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal coming in from a 3-liter inline 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine. The Alpina XD3 version though has 350 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal.
Hooked up to a reworked version of the ZF 8HP gearbox, the car will accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, faster than a BMW E46 M3, for example. Of course, the two won’t be comparable from a dynamic point of view but still, the numbers are worth taking a look at.
That being said, the luxury that awaits you once you get in is beyond what BMW is offering on its X3 and that’s how it’s supposed to be on an Alpina.
That includes a fresh set of aerodynamic parts, like a new front bumper with an add-on spoiler, new stripes down the sides of the car, new side sills and a revised rear bumper that now houses no less than four tailpipes instead of the traditional layout of BMW.
The biggest changes happen under the bonnet, as usual. Since the XD3 is the company’s first SUV product, Alpina had to set an example. Therefore, they took the fastest model in the range and upgraded it. Coincidence or not, that happened to be a diesel, the xDrive35d version.
In stock guise, it has 313 HP and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal coming in from a 3-liter inline 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine. The Alpina XD3 version though has 350 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal.
Hooked up to a reworked version of the ZF 8HP gearbox, the car will accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, faster than a BMW E46 M3, for example. Of course, the two won’t be comparable from a dynamic point of view but still, the numbers are worth taking a look at.
That being said, the luxury that awaits you once you get in is beyond what BMW is offering on its X3 and that’s how it’s supposed to be on an Alpina.
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