The Audi SQ5 may not have a direct competitor from BMW, but Alpina has unveiled the XD3 Biturbo - a tuning kit that seems to be a direct response to Audi's model - at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

The XD3 is based on the 3-liter straight-six-cylinder version of the X3 and, with significant updates made under the hood, it adds plenty of extra horsepower to the engine's standard output. The engine is coupled to a new eight-speed automatic transmission and numerous other updates have also been made to the SUV's chassis.

Along with upgrading the engine's characteristics, Alpina engineers also built an aerodynamic kit that includes a new front spoiler with integrated air intakes. On the rear, Alpina adds new elliptical double-ended tailpipes integrated into an Alpina-designed rear valance.

Hit the jump to read more about the Alpina XD3 Biturbo and find out if it really does offer any competition to the SQ5.

2014 BMW Alpina XD3 Biturbo

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 BMW Alpina XD3 Biturbo
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 350
  • Torque: 516
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Alpina started by upgrading the X3’s look. For this it installed a new aerodynamic kit that includes a new front spoiler with integrated functional air intakes for an optimum air flow to the coolers.

On the rear, the tuner installed a new rear valance that is designed to allow the use of an optional tow bar. There is also a new exhaust system with Alpina’s trademark elliptical double-ended tailpipes, which fit the new look perfectly.

Interior

For the interior, the tuner offers a new sport steering wheel wrapped in Lavalina leather combined with Blue-Green stitching. Also included is a new instrument panel with black-panel LCD technology that is used to display vital information, including a digital speed read-out and gear indicator.

The kit continues with new door sills, floor mats and emblems in the seatbacks. As an option, the interior can be trimmed in Alcantara with contrasting stitching.

Standard Features:

-Leather Upholstery

-Supportive Sport Seats

-Xenon Headlights

-Cruise Control

-Park Distance Control

Drivetrain

The standard 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine received a series of upgrades, including optimized air intake flow, new air intake ducts with larger diameters, and modifications to the turbocharger and injection pressures. The result is a total output of 350 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

The engine is coupled to an advanced SWITCH-TRONIC 8-Speed Sport-Automatic transmission with three driving modes: Automatic (D) Shift Mode, Sport (S) Shift Mode and Manual (M) Shift Mode. With all these updates, the XD3 Biturbo will go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and up to a top speed of 157 mph.

Suspension and brakes

Numerous upgrades have also been made to improve the car's comfort at high speeds. The suspension system receives electronically adjustable dampers plus a new Dynamic Stability Control system that features three modes: Normal, Sport and Sport+.

The XD3 comes with 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires measuring 255/40ZR20 (101Y) EL, E/A/ 71 dB front and 285/35ZR20 (104Y) EL, E/A/ 73 dB rear.

Prices

Prices for the new Alpina XD3 will be announced at a later date.

Competition

2014 Audi SQ5 TFSI

The SQ5 is powered by 3.0-liter TFSI engine that delivers a total of 354 horsepower between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm and a peak toque of 346 pound-feet between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 second and up to a top speed of 155 mph.

The SQ5 is probably the coolest Q5 offered by Audi and we think it looks far better than the XD3.

Conclusion

With all the updates it received the new Alpina XD3 is a model that fits perfectly just above the standard X3. It looks pretty good and with the improved output will help draw in a ton of customers.