After the 3 Series received the anticipated facelift in May 2022, it was inevitable for the BMW's luxury line, Alpina to release the B3 models, along with the diesel-operated D3 S. Similar to the updated 3 Series, Alpina brings both visual, performance, and technological upgrades to the respective models with a hint of exclusiveness.

Alpina's Perfect Blend of Luxury and Sporty Styling

As you have been noticing, most BMW cars now have the biggest kidney grilles in their history. The new BMW 7 Series, the XM Concept, the 4 Series, the i7, and even the X7, are all possessing the newer BMW design language to make its grilles even bigger. So when the new 3 Series arrived, it was a bit shocking to see no enlarged kidney grilles.

Now it is time for Alpina to sleeve up its game, and it did, quite efficiently. We have the B3 Sedan, Touring, and the D3 S with updated visuals. The front bumper design has gotten more aggressive with the wider and broader lower intake grilles. The M5-CS-like LED headlights suit the B3’s appearance, even when it is geared more toward luxury. A set of 19-inch alloy wheels will come fitted to the new B3 as standard but 20-inch wheels are optional. The rear sports quad-exhaust pipes and a diffuser with both the Sedan and the Touring models.

Revised Performance, even with the diesel-operated D3 S

The updated Alpina B3 features a more powerful S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six that puts out 488 horsepower (up by 33 horsepower) and 358 pound-feet (up by 22 pound-feet) of torque. These figures represent an increase of 5 horses but a deficit of 48 pound-feet compared to the standard M3. As for the other drivetrain parts, the new B3 will be driving all four wheels via the xDrive system and will be mated to a revised eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

Alpina states that the B3 Sedan will do naught to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.6 seconds, while the Touring will be 0.1 seconds behind. Compared to the model it replaces, the new B3 Sedan and Touring are 0.2 seconds faster. BMW’s luxury division has also increased the top speed to 190 miles per hour for the sedan and 188 miles per hour for the wagon.

On the D3 S side of things, there is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six engine, like before, and the power figures have strangely stayed the same. It still puts out a healthy 355 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. So there is ample torque, but there is now an electric starter-generator placed between the engine and the transmission to make driving more smooth and instantaneous. This mild-hybrid setup will also be responsible for better fuel economy. The same eight-speed gearbox carries over and the xDrive AWD is standard like before.

But unlike the nippy performance brought by the B3 saloon and wagon, the D3 S is not as fast. It does a 0-62 mph sprint (0-100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and the Touring model is 0.2 seconds behind. The former is said to hit the limiter when it reaches 170 mph, and the latter will do the same when it hits 168 mph.

Alpina's Gorgeous Interior and Mouth-Watering Price Tag

Like the 3 Series they are based on, Alpina’s latest offerings the B3 and the D3S benefit from an updated cockpit. It means that there are two curved displays, one is a 12.3-inch MID and a 14.9-inch touch-sensitive display for the infotainment system. The system is now updated with the iDrive 8, which is more fluid and comes with enhanced graphics. The steering wheel is gorgeous, is wrapped in luscious Lavalina leather, and has the Alpina badging in the center.

The 2023 Alpina B3 is available in Germany with a starting price of €88,600 ($94,000 approx.) for the B3 Sedan or €89,900 ($96,000 approx.) for the Touring. The diesel-operated D3 S Sedan will cost you €77,050 ($82,000 approx.) for the Sedan and €78,450 ($83,600 approx.) for the Touring. Unfortunately, these models are typically limited to Europe, so don't expect to see them on American roads anytime soon.