Alpina B3 (F30)

The Alpina B3 (F30/F31) and Alpina D3 (F30/F31) are high performance compact executive cars manufactured by German automobile manufacturer, Alpina. Based on the BMW 3 Series (F30), the B3 is available in saloon and wagon body styles. The car was officially launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

Development and introduction

The B3 is based on the BMW 335i and utilises a modified version of its N55 straight six engine. Alpina modified the engine by adding two smaller variable-geometry turbochargers in place of the standard single turbocharger, NGK spark plugs, electronically controlled bypass valve system, a high-performance fuel pump, a 40 percent larger intercooler, Alpina specific ECU along with a wiring loom and a forged high-strength steel crankshaft. These modifications allow the engine to generate 410 PS with RON 98 fuel and 600 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm. The front subframe along with the strut brace were modified in order to accommodate the powerful engine. The engine is mated to an 8-speed ZF "Touch tronic" automatic transmission with no manual transmission available as an option. The car is available in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.

The transmission consists of three modes, "Automatic (D)", "Manual (M)" and "Sport (S)". The Automatic mode focuses on driving comfort while the Sport mode reduces shift time and throttle response. When combined with the "Sport" or "Sport +" driving modes of the Drive performance system, the gearshifts are quicker due to a reduction in torque caused by the interruption of the injection of fuel into a given cylinder for a fraction of a second.

Variants

D3

The D3 is the diesel powered variant of the B3. Unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the D3 is based on the 330d and utilises a modified version of its 335d 3.0-litre N57 inline-6 engine. The engine has received the same modification as the B3, those being a larger intercooler, Alpina specific ECU and wiring loom and a high-strength steel crankshaft. These modifications allow the engine to generate 350 PS at 4,000 rpm and 516 lbft of torque. The engine is mated to the same 8-speed automatic transmission as found on the B3 with a limited slip differential available as an option. Like the B3, the D3 is available in either a saloon or a wagon body style.

The engine delivers its peak torque from 1,500 rpm to 3,000 rpm and has a red-line of 4,800 rpm. The transmission features buttons for shifting gears mounted behind the steering column and has the same gear ratios as the donor car.

The suspension system is the same as the B3 and features 40 percent stiffer springs as well as the wheels and tyres. The dampers are set to be softer in compression and firmer in rebound. The bushings and anti-rollbars are Alpina specific and the car's front sub-frame and strut-brace have been modified to accommodate the engine.

There are four exterior colour choices available, those being Classic Alpina Green, Classic Alpina Blue, Sapphire Black and Mineral White with optional Alpina pinstripes.

The D3 can be ordered with any option available on the standard 3 Series. Along with Alpina's own options of interior trim and leather upholstery.

The D3 can accelerate from 0-97 kph in a claimed 4.6 seconds and can attain a claimed maximum speed of 173 mph. The car has a claimed combined fuel economy of 53.3 mpg.[4]

B3 S

Introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the B3 S is the high performance variant of the B3. The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine found in the B3 is further modified to generate 441 PS and 487 lbft of torque.

The transmission remains the same as in the standard B3 along with interior and exterior options.[5]

Performance figures include a 0-97 kph acceleration time of 4.0 seconds (4.1 seconds for the wagon), although Auto Motor and Sport measured 3.8 seconds or the B3 S Touring Allrad, and a top speed of 306 kph. Unlike the B3, the B3 S is based on the updated 340i, but still uses the N55 engine.[6]

manufacturer	Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG
production	March 2013 – May 2019
assembly	Germany: Buchloe
class	Compact executive car (D)
body style	4-door saloon 5-door station wagon
layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive/Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (xDrive)
related	BMW 3 Series (F30) Alpina B4
engine	Petrol: 3.0 L BMW N55 twin-turbocharged I6 Diesel: 3.0 L BMW N57 turbo diesel I6
transmission	8-speed ZF 8HP70 automatic
wheelbase	2810 mm
length	Saloon: 4620 mm Wagon: 4628 mm
width	1811 mm
height	1430 mm
weight	Saloon: 1610 kg (dry, RWD version) 2160 kg (Max permissible) Wagon: 1675 kg (dry, RWD version) 2225 kg (Max permissible)‡R1R‡
predecessor	Alpina B3 (E90)
successor	Alpina B3 (G20)

Development and introduction

Performance

Variants

D3

B3 S

Gallery

External links

References