Noted BMW tuner Alpina has unveiled its latest creation, the Alpina XD3. The program is based on the BMW X3 crossover, and in true Alpina fashion, it offers all-encompassing upgrades that cover all important bases for Bimmer’s popular crossover. The result is a vehicle that can give some of today’s more powerful SUVs a serious run for their money.

2018 Alpina XD3

Specifications
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  • Model: 2018 Alpina XD3
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Pros
Cons

2018 Alpina XD3 Exterior

Aesthetically, the Alpina XD3 doesn’t deviate too far away from the looks of the X3. It is, after all, the model from which this creation is based on. Look closer, though, and you will notice a few bits and pieces that don’t come standard in the X3. The front lip doesn’t come from BMW, that’s for sure. Alpina’s logo is in it, right smack in the middle. Move to the back, and you’ll notice that Alpina went with the same ingredient, fitting the X3 with a new rear bumper and a quad-exhaust setup.

The other prominent upgrade is the set of wheels the XD3 is sporting. Those aren’t just standard wheels, either. Those are massive 22-inch alloy wheels with enough spokes to hypnotize anyone that gets caught staring at them.

These cover the bulk of Alpina’s upgrades on the exterior. There are some badges scattered throughout the body, too, but for the most part, you’re not getting a lot in terms of quantity here. As far as quality goes, though? When it’s Alpina you’re talking about, you know you’re not getting anything short of the best.

2018 Alpina XD3 Interior

Don’t expect a good amount of modifications in the interior of the Alpina XD3. In fact, the most significant change is the Alpina steering wheel. The good news is that even if this section of the crossover didn’t get as much love from Alpina, it certainly got a lot of it from BMW. There are premium materials throughout the cabin, finished in either fine leather or Alcantara.

The layout of the cabin still looks the same, too. Again, that’s a good thing when you consider that the X3’s interior is already lit as it is. It’s clean, balanced, and well-dressed. Ultimately, that’s all you can ask for in a crossover like the X3.

2018 Alpina XD3 Performance

Alpina’s focus in this program lies under the crossover’s hood. That’s where the magic happens. Since Alpina used the X3 xDrive30d to create the XD3, the engine that’s lying under that hood is a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel engine. That’s a great engine that also happens to produce 258 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. Great numbers, too, right?

Well, Alpina apparently doesn’t think it is so it did a little tweaking to the engine to increase its output to 330 horsepower and a gut-wrenching 516 pound-feet of torque. With the modifications in place, the Alpina XD3 is expected to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds, almost a second faster than the standard xDrive30d and an incredible 1.4-seconds quicker than a Porsche Macan Diesel S.

Oh, it gets even better, too. Those numbers above are actually exclusive to right-hand drive versions of the XD3. Since Alpina’s awesomeness knows no bounds, the tuner also prepared left-hand drive versions of its X3-based creation. This version comes with a detuned version of BMW’s 3.0 liter, quad-turbocharged, inline-six, diesel engine, one that produces 384 horsepower and 667 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough brute force to make the earth tremble in fear.

Alpina’s work didn’t just end with the engine upgrades. The tuner also fitted both right- and left-hand drive versions of the XD3 with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a tuned version of the Bimmer’s famous xDrive all-wheel-drive system. A new sport suspension system and electronically adjustable dampers were also installed. Finally, a limited-slip differential was also thrown in and bolted onto the rear axle to help the crossover improve its performance chops.

It may not seem obvious on the surface because the Alpina XD3 still looks largely like a BMW X3, but rest assured, we’re talking about a completely different animal here.

2018 Alpina XD3 Prices

Alpina has yet to release pricing for the XD3 crossover, but if you want to get a little bit of a headstart, you can assume that it’s going to cost more than the £39,120 it costs in the U.K. That converts to about $52,000 based on current exchange rates. In case some of you are wondering why I’m using the SUV’s price in the U.K. as opposed to here in the U.S., it’s because the X3 xDrive30d isn’t available here in the U.S. Whoops.

2018 Alpina XD3 Competition

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 will always be in the conversation as a legitimate rival to the BMW X3. It has its own design hallmarks and is known for having its own quality cabin. More importantly, it also features a wealth of different engine options, including a diesel version that relies on a 3.0-liter V-6 TDI that produces around 255 horsepower and nearly 440 pound-feet of torque. Pricing for the Q5 starts at €45,100, which currently converts to $50,500.

Read our full review on the 2018 Audi Q5.

Mercedes GLC-Class

The Mercedes GLC-Class can also hold its own in the segment. The Silver Arrows crossover comes with its own wealth of engine options, including a gasoline V-6 and a turbo diesel inline-four. The diesel versions, in particular, are available in theatre GLC220d or GLC250d versions. The former has 150 horsepower on tap while the latter carries around 204 ponies. Pricing for the Mercedes GLC starts at around $40,000.

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes GLC-Class.

Conclusion

When Alpina has a new product, it’s almost a sure thing that it’s going to be good. We’ve actually been spoiled by the number of vehicles Alpina has created in the past few years that picking a favorite has become its own exercise. But I like what it did with the X3 in turning it into the Alpina XD3. There’s not much going on in the exterior and interior — that’s fine by me — but the tuner made sure to get the most out of the engine upgrades it prepared for the crossover. The result is a slick-looking X3 with the performance chops from one of the best BMW tuners in the business.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 BMW X3.