Yahoo Autos Alpina B3 Sedan Based on BMW 3-Series Has 188-MPH Top Speed
BMW specialist Alpina's B3 sedan was unveiled at the Tokyo auto show. Based on the G20 BMW 3-series, it launches from zero to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds.
It's powered by a 462-hp twin-turbo version of BMW's latest and greatest inline-six and is paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
Unfortunately, it's likely it won't be offered in the United States.
Shortly after we got the gorgeous green Alpina B3 Touring from the 2019 Frankfurt auto show off our mind, Alpina gave us something else to gawk over. The BMW tuning specialist just dropped the green wagon's sibling, the B3 sedan, at the Tokyo auto show.
Alpina is known for taking cars right off the BMW factory line, upping their performance and luxury, slapping on a nice set of multi-spoke alloys, and lathering on some fresh green, blue, or brown paint. This time, the performance division has given its treatment to the latest generation of BMW's 3-series (G20).
The B3's front end is a lot more aggressive than the standard new 3-series on which it's based. It has optimized air intakes for increased cooling, and of course, there's that wonderful Alpina front splitter. The example we're shown is finished with an elegant blue metallic paint job, and there's a gorgeous green metallic, too.
The B3 sedan hurtles to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds, a tenth of a second quicker than the Touring model, and it maxes out at 188 mph. Those numbers are achieved thanks to Alpina's version of BMW's latest inline-six, beefed up with 3.0 liters of displacement and two turbos to produce 462 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
The all-wheel-drive platform used in the B3 is derived from BMW's xDrive system, which allows for evenly distributed torque flow to all the wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. We're speculating that a manual will be available in the new M3, and we hope that Alpina takes the hint and eventually offers one in the B3 as well.
Alpina has updated the G20's suspension for the B3 with sport springs and stiffer anti-roll bars as well as variable damper control with Comfort, Comfort +, and Sport modes. An enhanced variable sport steering system allows for switching among these three modes.
The interior is fitted with typical Alpina swag and features enviable interior craftsmanship since, of course, Alpina has its own in-house leather workshop. The B3 gets a hand-stitched Lavalina leather Alpina heated sport steering wheel, metal emblems in the floor mats and seat backrests, Alpina doorsills, and a production plaque with each B3's build number.
We can't wait to see how the B3 will stack up against the yet-to-be-unveiled next M3. We do know, however, that the new M3 will use the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine found in the monstrous X3 M and X4 M SUVs, and a rumored Competition spec with around 500 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive will be the leader of the pack. The Alpina B3 will most likely be available starting next year for European customers.
However, the B3 will most likely not make its way to the U.S.—we only get the B7 here.
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