Alpina Works Over the BMW X3 In All the Right Ways!

TopSpeed

By Kirby Garlitos

Published Feb 28, 2018

We don't expect anything less from the noted BMW tuner

As is the case every year, Alpina is headed to the Geneva Motor Show with a fresh tune of a new BMW model. This year, the new X3 gets the honor of the German tuner’s time, and once again, Alpina didn’t disappoint. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Alpina XD3. It’s a handful in more ways than one, which is typically the case when it’s Alpina we’re talking about. After all, this is the same tuner that gave us the B4 Biturbo, the B7 xDrive, and most recently, the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe BMW CCA Edition.

As you might expect, Alpina put in some work to give the X3 a new look. A big part of this program is the aerodynamic body kit that includes a new front bumper that also happens to have the word “Alpina” on the front lip. There’s something to be said for bumpers and lip spoilers that help give a car a sportier and more aggressive look. That’s the case here. The rear bumper is also new. It’s not as prominent as its counterpart in the front, but it does provide a good aesthetic balance with the X3’s quad exhaust setup. A new set of 22-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels complete the exterior upgrades. The interior also gets its share of upgrades, none more prominent than the Alpina steering wheel that’s now sitting in front of the driver.

It goes without saying that engine upgrades sit at the heart of every Alpina program for a BMW. The tuner didn’t veer away from tradition with the XD3 as the crossover benefits from a hearty slice of engine tuning that results in an output of 338 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque coming out of right-hand versions of the X3’s 3.0-liter six-cylinder bi-turbo engine. This version allows the XD3 to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, making it 1.4 seconds quicker than the Porsche Macan Diesel S. Customers can also opt for the left-hand drive variant and its more powerful 3.0-liter quad-turbo diesel unit. In this case, the output increases to 384 horsepower and 567 pound-feet of torque, enough to propel the XD3 from an idle position to 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 165 mph.

All these components paint a picture of what Alpina is capable of. What’s more impressive is that the X3, on its own, is already an impressive piece of machinery. It’s engaging to drive and has one of the best chassis of any SUV in its segment. It says a lot of Alpina’s capability as a BMW tuner when it can turn what is already a great car and turn it into something better.

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