Stop Craving A BMW M3 Touring, Because The New Alpina B3 Is Better

The all-wheel drive, 455bhp B3 fills the M3 Touring void with subtle brilliance. We'll have ours in green, please
Stop Craving A BMW M3 Touring, Because The New Alpina B3 Is Better

Last month, BMW M boss Markus Flasch said that the famed division he now runs won’t be making fast estates. Apparently, that box is already ticked by SUVs. Boo and indeed hiss.

If you’re hankering after a Touring version of the next M3, then, there are three solutions: cry yourself to sleep, spending a preposterous amount of money building one yourself, or go to Alpina.

Stop Craving A BMW M3 Touring, Because The New Alpina B3 Is Better

Yet again, the German company - which has its products built on BMW’s own production lines before being finished at a separate facility - has filled the M3 Touring void. It’s done so by working over the latest ‘G30’ 3-series, creating something that might just be better than an M3 wagon.

It’s much more subtle than M Division products, with those 20-inch multispoke wheels being the only clue those who know need to tell this apart from a normal 3-series. Plus, it’s been made with ‘real-world’ fast driving in mind.

Stop Craving A BMW M3 Touring, Because The New Alpina B3 Is Better

Should the next M3 match the specs of the S58-powered X3 M, it’ll develop 503bhp and 443lb ft. The Alpina is less powerful at 455bhp, but its twin-turbo converted B58 inline-six is much torquier thanks to a punchy 513lb ft of twist arriving at 3000rpm.

All that is sent through an eight-speed automatic gearbox rather than a DCT, fed to a very sensible all-wheel drive system. Alpina hasn’t given a 0-62mph time for the B3, but it has said that the top speed is over 186mph.

Stop Craving A BMW M3 Touring, Because The New Alpina B3 Is Better

We don’t know anything about the suspension work other than, well… it’s had some, but there’s no need to doubt Alpina in this area - its products always ride extremely well despite sitting on huge wheels. To make it even more wafty, there is a 19-inch option too.

Orders will open early next year, with deliveries starting halfway through the year. It’s on display now in all its green glory at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Comments

Anonymous

I need to know that paint code…. Everything I own needs to be that colour!!

09/11/2019 - 07:12 |
44 | 0
🎺🎺thank mr skeltal

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Alpina green goes by the paint code X09, pre-2017 also U08. BASF paint code 931723.

09/11/2019 - 07:58 |
58 | 0
Lord Saucius The Divine

Amazing

09/11/2019 - 10:05 |
0 | 0
Wogmidget

The virgin M division vs the chad Alpina

09/11/2019 - 10:50 |
16 | 0
Fahim Kazi

Tbh im not a fan of the new 3-series design but the Alpina styling really makes it look good especially in that stunning color

09/11/2019 - 12:18 |
4 | 2
Anonymous
09/11/2019 - 13:21 |
34 | 0
Hast

B I G N U T

09/11/2019 - 14:03 |
2 | 0
LEitner

Alpinas are just the best every day cars for enthusiasts. But please tell me the new B3 is still available with RWD and an LSD. Because the last generation B3S is just the definitive dream daily of mine because of that option. I mean a 300kph estate with rear wheel drive and a 400+ hp straight six. How much more could you want?

09/11/2019 - 18:08 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I believe it a s58 motor based on multiple articles could be wrong . Considering its Bi-Turbo would make sense

09/11/2019 - 23:16 |
0 | 0
Lauge

This is so beautiful. Would love it with some wider fenders though. Like a real M3.

09/12/2019 - 09:57 |
0 | 0
Renault GTR

I just wish more brands used this kind of dark green. Looks so classy yet so menacing. Simply brilliant!

09/12/2019 - 13:08 |
0 | 0

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