Alpina vs. M: What's the Best BMW Performance Recipe?

The XD3 will be Alpina Australia's latest model to feature a 245kW/700Nm turbodiesel engine.

If you wanted a fast BMW in the past, a German car with an M badge would be the obvious choice.

The M car lineup now includes models from the M2 Competition coupe to the fast-paced M5 Competition sedan, and has recently expanded to include the X3 and X4 M SUVs.

But the M division isn't the only one making high-performance BMWs, as Alpina stepped up its game - and presence in Australia - to offer a more luxurious alternative to M's track-focused offerings.

Launched in late 2016, Alpina products are available locally at eight outlets, from the BMW Doncaster in Melbourne to Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney.

Alpina is aiming not only for body kits and wheel upgrades, but also for more comfortable tuning of engines and transmissions without sacrificing performance.

However, unlike other tuners, Alpina has almost unlimited access to the BWM production line, as its models are produced at the same time as standard cars.

Their relationship is so close that the Alpina B3 Touring (unveiled at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show) is actually the first mass-produced passenger car to be powered by the S58 engine - the same one rumored to be shown in the as-yet-unveiled car. A pair of M3 and M4 new generation.

The new B3 develops 340 kW and 700 Nm of power thanks to a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine.

While this engine debuted in the X3 and X4 M midsize SUVs, reaching up to 375kW/600Nm in the competition version, under the bonnet of the B3 Touring, a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six delivers 340kW/m. 700 Nm.

What matters, however, is that the B3 Touring is available exclusively in station wagon form, while BMW has said the new M3 will be strictly limited to sedan form.

With the B3 Touring's conclusions sent to the road via an Alpina-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive system, expect zero to 100 km/h to be completed in less than 4.0 seconds, which is better. the outgoing rear-wheel drive only B3 and the competing Mercedes-AMG C63 S Estate - 4.3 and 4.0 times, respectively.

Although the B3 Touring has not been confirmed for an Australian launch, the local division is developing a business case for the new model but expects to see the B3 Down Under sedan late next year with the same powerplant, priced at around $140,000 before travel expenses. .

Alpina Australia also offers a 4kW/324Nm based 660 Series B4 S which sells for $149,900 and $159,900 for the coupe and convertible respectively, up from the 331kW/550Nm M4 Competition , which costs $US 156,529 167,829 and $ XNUMX XNUMX in the fixed-roof convertible version. .

The B5 based on the 5 Series is available in sedan and station wagon formats.

Meanwhile, the B5 - a variant of the Alpina 5 Series - is now available in both sedan and station wagon formats, while the M5 is only available in the same body style.

Powered by the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, the B5 delivers 447kW/800Nm of power compared to the M5 Competition's 460kW/750Nm power output, with both sending power to the road via an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. xdrive drive. system.

While the M5 Competition is faster from 0 to 100 km/h with a time of 3.3s, compared to the B5's time of 3.5s, the former is also more expensive at $229,900 than the latter, which has a sedan/wagon price of $210,000/217,000 XNUMX dollars.

For those who want something more, Alpina is also offering their 7 Series-based B7, which uses the same 447kW/800Nm 4.4L engine as the B5, for $369,720.

While BMW doesn't offer a full M version of the big 7 Series sedan, the B7's closest competitor will be the 448kW/850Nm 6.6L M12Li twin-turbocharged V760, which sells for $378,900.

The Alpina B7 is powered by the same 447-litre 800kW/4.4Nm engine as the B5.

Alpina Australia will also launch its first SUV locally soon with the XD3 midsize crossover expected to become one of the most popular models given the healthy appetite of tall riders.

Priced at $109,900, the X3-based XD3 is positioned more as an alternative to the $99,900 X3 M40i than the $157,900 X3 M Competition, but boasts a 245-litre twin-turbo diesel engine with 700kW/3.0Nm in as a difference. .

In overseas markets, the XD3 is also available with a 285kW/770Nm turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the X4-based X4 SUV coupe is exclusively built with the more powerful engine.

The business case is still being developed to introduce the XD4 to local showrooms, and with the X4 accounting for about a quarter of BMW's midsize SUV sales, the outlook looks positive.

The business case is still in development to introduce the XD4 to local showrooms.

However, those hoping for a cheaper Alpina may be disappointed to learn that the company won't be customizing anything smaller than the 3 Series, leaving out things like the 1 and 2 Series of the new generations.

So Alpina will have no alternative to the M2 Competition and the new-generation M135i with all the paws, while electrified models such as the i3, 530e and the X5 plug-in SUV are also not considered for luxury-oriented cars. tuner.