Alpina is one of BMW's most loyal tuners and the latest 3 Series-based B3 models continue to boast with a unique identity and performance figures that irk any M3 owner. The G20-generation B3 Touring is the 462 horsepower stopgap in a world without an M3 Wagon in it. Our only complaint? That we can't buy this pinstriped grocery-hauler Stateside.

Once upon a time, Alpina and AC Schnitzer were duking it out on the race tracks of the world as BMW's favored privateers teams. Both received support from Munich and decades of on-track rivalry now see both companies - but especially Alpina - put out some of the best modified cars on the market. So good, in fact, that Alpina has been a manufacturer for over three decades - although you'll still find BMW logos on the B3. But Alpina doesn't plan to crash the party of the upcoming M3 Competition either. That's fair play!

2020 Alpina B3 Touring

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2020 Alpina B3 Touring
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 462
  • Torque: 516
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Alpina's History and Quirky Naming

For decades, Alpina has taken in everything that BMW produced and gave it an added dose of flair, making it stand out from the ever-expanding gang of modified BMWs and, also, BMW's own M models.

The B3 nameplate has been around since 1987 when it replaced Alpina's C2 model that was based on the E30-generation BMW 3 Series. The first B3 was powered by the same 2.7-liter C2/2 Alpina-built inline-six that offered more oomph compared to the standard 2.5-liter straight-six from the factory. Back then, the B3 was merely the mid-tier model based on the E30 3 Series that Alpina was offering. It was also selling at the time the C1 powered by a 2.5-liter engine, the B6 powered by a 3.5-liter engine, and the B6S that was Alpina's take on the first M3.

As such, each Alpina model currently in production comes with a name that starts with either 'B' or 'D' (the latter in the case of diesel-engined models) and then a number that refers to BMW's own naming system that features numbers. So, in short, the B3 is Alpina's souped-up 3 Series while, for instance, the B6 is the German tuner's faster-than-stock 6 Series. The exceptions are the XD3 Bi-Turbo AWD and the XD3 Bi-Turbo RWD which are the first SUVs ever to be modified by Alpina, both starting life as the F25-generation X3 compact SUV with the diesel engine.

Exterior

- Subtle yet aggressive body kit - Bigger grilles in the front with Alpina lettering - Side skirts and a hatch spoiler complete the look - New 19-inch rims with a 5x4 multispoke design are available - Quad exhaust tips in the back - Endless customization options including Alpina pinstriping

Having somewhat cleared the mist hovering above Alpina's once-quirky way of naming its products, we can move on to the car we're talking about today, Alpina's latest mid-size people hauler, the B3 Touring. Based on the G20 3 Series, it sports the same body kit as the sedan that, unusually, was unveiled after the wagon version the wagon version}}. In an attempt to silence those that are already shoveling dirt over the station wagon's casket, Alpina took the wraps off the B3 Touring during September's Frankfurt Auto Show, waiting until October's Tokyo Auto Show to unveil the same car in sedan form.

We like that approach simply because we like fast wagons and we think the world needs more fast wagons and, frankly, more wagons in general. We know nobody's really buying wagons anymore, hence all the doomsday foretellers, but we haven't heard the fat lady sing and we're sure you won't either, at least not while strapped inside a B3 Touring with that quad exhaust howling in the background.

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In the front, the B3 Touring sports a rather aggressive bumper that plays to the strengths of the muscular-looking front fascia with its multi-faceted surfacing below the headlights.

The two black bars thus separate the central area of the main inlet, which is where you'll find the front radar/sensor, to the two outboard ones around the intercooler. There are also grilles in the corners of the nose, below the headlights.

These are bordered by black surrounds to the outside and by the protruding bumper to the inside. Besides all the intricacy surrounding the way the bumper falls down on itself around the sides, Alpina adds another level by coming up with a lip molded into the lower edge of the bumper. The lip then goes up and above the 'Alpina' lettering placed in the middle, with individual letters, below the main grille. It may seem a bit weird to have the name of your car spelled out in the lower bumper and it's something that could get damaged if you try to climb higher curbs, but it looks cool in the context of an Alpina - a brand known for covering its products with its very own logo.

Above the kidney grille there's the BMW roundel. While Alpina does, as mentioned, stick many of its own logos on the cars it makes, it keeps the BMW badges on the car out of respect but badge deletion is always an option.

The B3 Touring is both wider and slightly lower than a standard 3 Series Wagon. On paper, the B3 is almost 9.5 inches wider than its stock sibling, a wider track at both ends pushing the total width up from 71.93 inches all the way to 81.41 inches. The wheelbase is, however, unchanged at 112.24 inches, 1.5 inches longer than the old 3 Series. The height difference is negligible despite the fact that the B3 comes with Alpina-tuned shocks and can be had with those huge 20-inch rims hugged by low-profile rubber.

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Sure, the side skirts are new and they reduce the ground clearance (which is 5.36 inches in the case of the standard model) a bit but they blend in with the overall design so well, you'd think they were there from the factory. The one in Munich, that is (Alpina's HQ is in Buchloe, Bavaria). As mentioned, you can fit some insanely big wheels to this car - all part of Alpina's tradition - but we think the 19-inch standard alloys do the job of showcasing the blue calipers just fine. The 5x4-spoke design is new for the 2020 3 Series.

The front and rear bumpers are more aggressive but there's nothing particularly ludicrous anywhere around this car. There are no roof scoops, no awkward vents carving their way through the bodywork anywhere, it's all quite serene. Alpina allows the G21's original design to speak through with the chiseled lower edge of the sides making the car seem both shorter and sportier. Then there's the main line beltline connecting the two wheel arches as well as the crease across the rear quarter panel and the back doors which make the rear arches seem more flared than they really are. These are all design elements thought up by BMW's own design team. Again, the Alpina kit merely complements the 3 Series' inherent design features, it doesn't' try to banish the original lines and, instead, come up with something bombastic to stand out.

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In the back, the protruding top edge of the rear hatch, just below the edge of the rear window, is complemented by the appearance of a really subtle roof spoiler. Down below, the lower bumper features room for quad exhaust tips, two on either side, and a mini diffuser with four vertical elements. There are also two outboard vents placed in the vicinity of the exhaust on both sides of the rear fascia. 'Alpina' and 'B3' badging stand on either side of the BMW roundel above the taillights. It's worth pointing out that Alpina didn't take the time to redesign either the front or the rear light clusters, leaving the standard LED units as they were.

You can, however, add some flashy stuff to the exterior of a B3, chief among which being the white pinstriping along the sides with Alpina written towards the front and the back. It may seem tacky, just like that Alpina front bumper insert, but this is part of the company's heritage. Ever since Alpina began modifying Beemers, it added those stripes to help them further stand out.

Alpina B3 Touring exterior dimensions

Length (mm)

185.78 in (4719)

Width (mm)

81.41 in (2068)

Height (mm)

56.61 in (1438)

Wheelbase (mm)

112.24 in (2851)


Interior

- Leather-wrapped steering with Alpina badge - Custom digital instrument cluster - Sportier seats - Infotainment system remains unchanged - Lavalina leather among options - Trunk capacity not affected by modifications

Alpina didn't alter the 3 Series' cabin too much. Sure, the varnished wood paneling (which you can exchange for some brushed metal, it's all up to each and every customer) features a different imprint and the leather's different too, but there's nothing too dramatic going on inside.

Having said that, the front seats are new and offer better side bolstering than the standard BMW ones. The seats can be, along with most of the cabin, wrapped in Lavalina leather. There's leather on the heated steering wheel too and it's stitched by hand. While there are BMW logos on the outside, it's Alpina's own badge that takes pride of place on the wheel.

Behind it, you'll find the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that's as big as on any other 3 Series. There's a twist, here, however: the menus now feature the Alpina logo at the top although it's still BMW’s latest-generation iDrive infotainment system running the show. In the middle of the dash there's another 10-inch screen, slightly tilted towards the driver. The B3 thus packs the range-topping infotainment layout (known as the Live Cockpit Professional system) as the basic 3 Series comes with a nine-inch unit on the dashboard and a six-inch display behind the wheel.

The screen on the dash is responsive to touch but there's always the iDrive rotating knob in between the seats that's better than ever. On top of all that, the voice control functionality has been fettled with and you can set the route on the navigation system, change the cabin temperature, or make a phone call just by telling the system what you want.

There are some things missing, though. Android Auto compatibility is nonexistent even in the case of the B3 that's usually jam-packed with all the extras. Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay is only free for a year. Wireless charging is another clever extra along with the louder Harman Kardon stereo system.

Away from the luxury features inside the B3, we're happy to report that the design of the cabin isn't overly futuristic. You still get buttons, arranged in groups that control the climate system, the radio, and that help you browse through the menus of the infotainment system. There's no shortage of storage spaces inside the 3 Series with the biggest around the dash area being the one below the climate control buttons, that's hidden behind a cover that continues the theme of the dash in terms of the materials used.

As you'd expect, the G20 boasts with all the safety features of any 3 Series including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist with lane departure warning. Self-driving features can also be had and if you opt for them, the car can reverse itself after coming to a halt at a dead end while also driving down the highway just fine, as long as you're alert and with the hands on the steering wheel just in case.

The increase in wheelbase makes the latest 3 Series slightly roomier than its German rivals from Audi or Mercedes-Benz although it's still up for debate if the fit and finish - as well as the overall quality of the materials - matches Mercedes' and Audi's high standards given BMW has historically been lagging behind in this department but we're seeing improvement with the G20/G21 and even more so in the Alpina version that's slightly more posh.

On paper, the 3 Series offers more headroom and legroom in the front than both the A4 and the C-Class although it's the latter that's roomier in the back. However, two adults can finally sit comfortably in the back of the 3 Series, even in sedan form. The A4 offers a bit more headroom in the back while shoulder room varies within small margins between the three contenders both in the front and in the back. The trunk's capacity is also not impacted by Alpina's extensive modifications and remains at 17.65 cubic feet with the seats up and up to 53.32 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Those chunky wheels of the Alpina, oddly enough, don't impact the smoothness of the ride as much as you'd think and that's because the suspension isn't ultra-stiff. As mentioned, Alpina's products are fine-tuned to behave well on the highway and this means the dampers know how to absorb bumps and other irregularities in the road surface. The old B3 came with three settings for the adaptive dampers, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, and even in Sport the car didn't feel particularly stiff or unforgiving - a trait that's probably been carried on to the G21-based B3.

Drivetrain

- Powered by the future M3's 3.0-liter S58 straight-six - Upgraded twin turbochargers and optimized cooling system - 462 horsepower - 30 hp more than the old B3 - 18 hp more than M3 Competition - 516 pound-feet available from just 3,000 rpm - Top speed is 186 mph, 17 mph slower than the Alpina B7 - 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds - 0-124 mph in little over 13 seconds

The B3 Biturbo is, in a way, a sneak preview at the G20 M3 since it employs the same S58 3.0-liter straight-six, an engine that's been put to work already in the X3M and the X4M SUVs.

The power is sent to all four wheels through an improved eight-speed automatic transmission built by ZF. Alpina fits its very own CNC-machined aluminum flappy paddles for shifting through gears in manual mode.

To put it into perspective, the standard M340i xDrive, the closest match to the B3 (it's powered by the 3.0-liter B58B straight-six), puts out 369 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque from just 1,520 rpm. Having said that, we expect the M3's output to surpass 500 ponies.

Still, Alpina says its B3 will go from naught to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds while the M340i xDrive needs 4.4 seconds to get to 62 mph and it'll top out at 155 mph while the B3 goes on all the way to 186 mph. What's interesting is that Alpina boasts with an average fuel consumption of 23.98 mpg while the M340i xDrive gets 34 mpg on average according to BMW. While that's a 10 mpg difference, it's worth pointing out that the rivaling C63 AMG gets 21 mpg average but the 2020 RS4 gets 25.6 mpg (WLTP cycle).

All the upgraded bits weren't tuned for range-topping performance and that's easy to see when you consider that the same S58 with two turbochargers puts out 473 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque in the X3M and the X4M and the output should go beyond 500 horsepower in Competition trim. So, in other words, Alpina focused on adding a touch of sporty refinement when upgrading the 3 Series.

The chassis has been made stiffer and there's an electronically controlled limited-slip differential for more traction and better handling through the twisty bits. The brakes are bigger with 15.5-inch rotors in the front with four-piston fixed brake calipers and 13.58-inch rotors in the back. Drilled brake discs are optional while Pirelli P Zero rubber is Alpina's tire of choice for the B3.

Suspension is by double-joint spring-struts with hydraulically damped torque strut bearings in the front and adaptive dampers. In the back, there's a five-link axle, again with adaptive dampers and the electronic LSD.

According to Alpina, the stainless steel exhaust system "reduces the exhaust back pressure to a minimum." What is more, the exhaust valves allow the driver to influence how noisy they pop and bang. The aural experience is toned down a notch or two in Comfort mode but things get quite noisy in Sport and Sport+.

Alpina B3 Touring specifications

Engine

3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, S58 straight-six

Output

462 HP @ 5,500 - 7,000 rpm

Torque

516 LB-FT @ 2,500 - 4,500 RPM

Gearbox

8-Speed Sport-Automatic ZF 8HP76 with paddles

Suspension

Double-joint spring-strut with hydraulically damped torque strut bearings and adaptive dampers in the front and a five-link axle with adaptive dampers and electronic LSD

Steering

Variable sport steering with EPS, rack-and-pinion

Brakes

Discs all around, 15.5-inch rotors in the front with four-piston fixed brake calipers in the front and 13.58-inch rotors with floating calipers in the back

0-62 mph

3.9 seconds

0-124 mph

13.9 seconds

Top speed

186 mph

Weight

3,500 pounds


Pricing

You know going in that buying an Alpina isn't a cheap affair but, then again, this is one of the finest modified BMWs you can buy - if you live in Europe or Australia, that is, because the B3 won't come to the U.S. most likely.

That's quite a hefty amount when you consider that a standard 3 Series xDrive will set you back about $42,750 although you can pay as much as $56,000 if you throw most of the options into the mix.

Having said that, $70,000 isn't too much when you begin to compare the B3 Touring with its peers. For instance, the 2020 RS4 Avant starts at $89,000 while the C63 AMG comes with a $68,100 sticker price in sedan form. The Estate version is more expensive.

Competition

2020 Audi RS4 Avant

Bummed that you can't get your hands on the B3 Touring? Here's more bad news: while you can order an RS6 in the States, the 2020 RS4 Avant won't arrive on American shores. So, if you don't like the $112,745 RS6 Avant, Audi doesn't give you any options, much in the same way that Alpina only offers the $142,800 B7 sedan to American customers. Sure, it's nice to know us here in the U.S. can enjoy the 205 mph modified 7 Series limo but we'd like the more compact offerings as well.

The already drool-worthy cabin has been updated for 2020 and it packs a new MMI infotainment system with Audi's clever virtual cockpit that we think surpasses whatever Mercedes and BMW offer in this department.

The engine, however, remains unchanged. It's the same 2.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 mill from the old RS4 but we can't complain since it cranks out 443 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. That's almost 20 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque below the B3 and you can notice that. 0-62 mph takes 4.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than in the B3 Touring and the top speed is 174 mph, 12 mph slower than Alpina's hot wagon. The Audi too reaps the benefits of AWD with the Quattro system doing its job under the skin, with power reaching all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Read our full review on the 2020 Audi RS4 Avant

2020 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Wagon

Mercedes-Benz announced a while back that the next C63 will pack PHEV technology and a four-pot engine. That means it's now or never if you want a brand-new C63 AMG powered by the glorious 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. It's the same engine you'll find under the hood of the C63S but it's more powerful in that application, while the C43 AMG is fitted with the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6.

In the C63 AMG Wagon, that 4.0-liter V-8 puts out 476 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque which is 14 ponies more than you get from a B3 but also 37 pound-feet of torque less. The extra power doesn't, however, translate to a quicker 0-62 mph time as the Merc is slower than the Audi too, completing the task in 4.2 seconds flat en route to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Large inlets below the headlights, a comprehensive diffuser in the back, as well as small vents in the corners of the rear fascia, quad exhaust tips, and AMG 19-inch alloys, complete the sporty image of the C63 AMG. Overall, the mods don't make that big of an impression on you and we think the lower RS4 looks sportier than both the Alpina and the Mercedes-AMG.

The cabin of the C63 Wagon is covered in leather and while we're no fans of the rather small central infotainment display propped above the three air vents on the dash, we like the lighting inside and the AMG Performance seats. Top Gear reckons this is "the best fast estate money can buy," and it's hard to argue with that claim although all of these cars are closely matched pretty much across the board and, at the end of the day, you'll choose one over the others on subjective terms because, objectively speaking, it's hard to set them apart.

Yes, the Alpina's ride isn't as poised as the Merc's or the Audi's because it's been engineered to ride well on the highway and yes, the current C63 AMG doesn't look as hardcore as it once did but all three of these cars are great at blending practicality and ludicrous performance. If you're an American buyer, the choice has been made a lot simpler for you as you can only buy the C63 Estate out of all three, unless you want to pay exponentially more for the RS6 Avant.

Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Wagon

Will we ever get an M3 Touring?

Talking about the Alpina B3 Touring got us thinking - for the umpteenth time - about BMW's continuous reluctance to build and sell an M3 Wagon.

We last wrote on the possibility of an M3 Touring late last year when some reports emerged telling us BMW is actively considering an RS4 Avant killer based on the G20/G21 platform that debuted this year. Autocar wrote at the time that "the development costs would be minimal," but, since then, we haven't heard much on the subject. BMW did introduce the 3 Series in wagon form (codenamed G21) and renders appeared almost on the spot previewing what would surely be a tasty M3 wagon but BMW still doesn't seem to be fully sold on the idea.

The Germans have toyed with the idea in the past, even building an M3 E46 Estate as a development mule but nothing came of it. Right now, all you can do is just add some M Performance parts to your 3 Series Estate to quench that M3 thirst and, while that's nowhere near enough considering the M3 sedan will be a neck-bending +500 horsepower beast, it's still something. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention that, even if an M3 Estate does make it past the suits down in Munich, it won't be available for sale in the U.S. since the standard 3 Series Estate isn't either. Blame the American customer's disinterest in wagons for that.

Final Thoughts

Historically, Alpina's products have delivered on their promise of a perfect blend between refinement and performance. While you may be turned off by the big wheels combined with the low-profile tires and the white pinstriping down the sides, you shouldn't. The Alpina B3 is a genuine performer with a soft side that knows how to take care of its passengers while also feeling mighty potent through the twisty bits and effortlessly powerful while chugging miles down the highway. If only they'd allow us to buy it here in North America!

Further reading

2020 BMW 3 Series Touring

2020 Alpina B3 Saloon