BMW->ke178 tuners ALPINA->ke1232 have created a very likely sedan successor to their acclaimed D3 Bi-turbo coupe. Aside from the typical interior and exterior treatments from the luxury tuners, ALPINA begins the process by removing the turbocharged four cylinder engine from a BMW 123d and transplants it into a full size 3 series sedan. The 2.0 liter engine is then tweaked to produce a maximum output of 214 HP, generating more horsepower per liter than any other ALPINA road car. The vehicle can accelerate to 60 MPH (100 km/h) in only 6.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 152 MPH, while returning around 50 MPG.

If you still don’t believe in the performance diesel? Check out this video of the D3 and a 330 lapping the Donnington Park racetrack in the heart of Great Britain.

Press release after the jump.

Press release:

The new BMW ALPINA D3. Saloon car evolution of the acclaimed D3 Coupe is now in the showrooms. A four cylinder four-door car, arguably the cleverest buy for all discerning UK drivers, delivering more than any larger engined counterpart in terms of performance, economy, low emissions and sheer exclusivity.

ALPINA engineers have once again used their development of BMW’s state-of-the-art twin turbo diesel engine from the 123d, which – at 214 hp – produces more horsepower per liter than any other engine in a current BMW ALPINA road car.

Like the previous D3 Saloon, all UK cars will be ordered in a single specification meaning that customers only need to choose between manual and automatic gearbox and select their preferred color and trim.

The car is capable of 152 mph and 0-62 mph in 6.9 secs and yet the official fuel consumption and emission figures tell a very different story: 52.3 mpg (overall EU) and 143 g/km (manual gearbox version).

John Quigley, Managing Director of ALPINA GB said: “The previous model D3 was one of our most successful cars ever. We believe we really hit the spot in terms of performance, exclusivity and price. But the new car is even better than the previous model in all the key areas; performance is improved, yet both fuel economy and – crucially – emissions are reduced. Around half of D3 sales will be to business users – who will relish any opportunity to lower their personal benefit in kind charges.”

ALPINA GB, part of the Sytner Group, has been the sole UK importer for ALPINA since 1983. ALPINA has worked closely with BMW since 1961, with shared warranty coverage since 1964. ALPINA was registered as an automobile manufacturer to ISO standards in 1983.