German automaker Alpina has unveiled its latest creation – the XD3 – which is based on the X3 SUV and boasts 245kw and 700nm from a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-6 diesel engine. It’s paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and is capable of taking the XD3 from 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 254kph.
However, left hand drive variants receive an even more powerful motor. Under its hood is a quad-turbo 3.0-litre straight-6 diesel engine with common-rail high-pressure direct injection, producing 290kw and a mega 770nm of peak torque. The power is driven through all four wheels thanks to BMW’s xDrive system, but Alpina has added its own torque distributor to help deliver the best traction possible as well as a safer drive. Performance and fuel economy? 4.6 seconds to 100kph and a top speed of 266kph.
Alpina also upgrades the chassis with sports suspension, electronically adjustable dampers, active differential at the rear, and 20-inch wheels. 22-inch lightweight forged wheels are offered as an optional extra. As for the look of the XD3, Alpina has added a distinctive body kit to further distinguish it as one of its creations.
Alpina will officially unveil the XD3 at the Geneva International Motor Show this week.
Also worth a look: the BMW Glc and the BMW M3.
FAQ
Q: What does the Alpina XD3 cost in South Africa?
The Alpina XD3 starts from around R1,850,000 in South Africa, making it one of the priciest diesel SUVs you can buy locally, but you're paying for that hand-built German engineering and serious performance credentials.
Q: Is the Alpina XD3 worth buying over a regular BMW X3?
If you've got the budget and want something properly special, absolutely, the XD3 transforms the X3 from a decent family SUV into a proper performance machine with 245kW and that monstrous 700Nm of torque that'll pin you to your seat.
Q: How fast is the Alpina XD3 compared to other performance SUVs?
The XD3's 4.8-second 0-100kph sprint puts it right up there with the BMW X3 M40i and Audi SQ5, but it does it while sipping diesel instead of guzzling petrol, which is pretty impressive for a oil-burner.
Q: What makes the Alpina XD3 different from a standard BMW X3?
Alpina completely reworks the twin-turbo diesel engine to produce 245kW and 700Nm, adds their own torque distributor, sports suspension, electronically adjustable dampers, and that distinctive Alpina body kit that screams "I'm not your average X3".
Q: Should I wait for the more powerful left-hand drive Alpina XD3?
Unfortunately, that quad-turbo 290kW beast is only available in left-hand drive markets, so us South Africans are stuck with the "lesser" 245kW version, which is still absolutely mental for a diesel SUV anyway.
Should You Buy It?
The Alpina XD3 is a brilliant piece of engineering that proves diesels can still be properly exciting, but at around R1,850,000, it's a tough sell when you could get a BMW X3 M40i for considerably less money. If you absolutely must have the most exclusive diesel performance SUV in South Africa and fuel economy matters to you, then yes, the XD3 is worth every rand. However, for most buyers, the regular BMW X3 30d at around R950,000 offers 90% of the experience for half the price. The XD3 is for the diesel die-hards with deep pockets who want something truly special in their driveway.
