BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe (2008) : first pictures

By Tom Richards

First Official Pictures

06 August 2008 13:07

The BMW 330d Coupe has just been made redundant because Alpina, the Buchloe-based tuner, tweaker and BMW bedfellow, has released the D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe. Alpina engineers have taken BMW’s twin-turbo diesel from the 123d, slotted it into the Three Coupe, then tweaked it to produce 211bhp. The result is an engine that produces more horsepower per litre than any other BMW or Alpina road car, they say.

That’s not the only highlight. The D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe will propel you from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds, onto a top speed of 152mph, and apparently achieve 52.3mpg while puffing out 143g/km CO2. These figures are slightly worse if you spec the auto, but the Alpina still leaves the equivalently powered BMW behind.

That 330d Coupe, with a chunky 3.0-litre engine over the front wheels, can only achieve 46.3mpg and 160g/km in manual guise. Price-wise the BMW is beaten too, the Alpina undercutting the M Sport spec 3-series by £2540. Yes, the Alpina is a little slower but we’re talking tenths rather than whole seconds. Best get those chequebooks out now as only 100 or so cars will come to the UK this year.

What do you think of the Alpina D3? Could you drive a 3-series Coupe that had six-cylinder power but was only a four-pot? Click 'Add your comment' below and let us know your thoughts

By Tom Richards