BMW Group South Africa Celebrates 50 Years with Special Edition ALPINA B3 AWD
In 2023, BMW Group South Africa commemorated its unique position within the global BMW production network as the first plant established outside Germany five decades ago. This milestone year saw various celebrations and significant investments, including announcing a substantial R4.2 billion investment in the Rosslyn plant near Pretoria. The acquisition was made to facilitate the next-generation BMW X3 plug-in hybrid production, which is set to roll off the assembly line starting in late 2024.
One fascinating highlight of this commemorative year for automotive enthusiasts is the creation of five exclusive ALPINA B3 AWD units, specially crafted to honour BMW Group South Africa's 50-year legacy. These limited-edition ALPINA B3 vehicles feature the company's distinctive anniversary logo and will be exclusively available in South Africa, distinguished by their striking ALPINA Green II metallic paint finish.
The ALPINA B3 50 Years of BMW South Africa edition pays homage to a historical collaboration between BMW South Africa and ALPINA in the mid-1980s, which resulted in the iconic BMW 333i, a model produced in limited numbers. This commemorative edition incorporates several distinctive elements, including ALPINA CLASSIC 20-inch forged wheels and various ALPINA decals, such as silver ALPINA lettering on the front spoiler and the ALPINA B3 model designation.
However, the most remarkable celebratory features can be found within the vehicle's interior. The full leather Merino Black seats proudly display the BMW Group South Africa 50th anniversary logo, elegantly embroidered into the front seat headrests. A special plaque on the centre console identifies each unit as one of only five "50 Years an Icon, BMW South Africa" cars.
Adding to the ALPINA charm are ALPINA door sills and a sporty ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC leather steering wheel, complete with aluminium paddle shifters, showcasing the LAVALINA design and meticulously hand-finished with bespoke white stitching and ALPINA Green accents.
Under the hood, the BMW ALPINA B3 AWD boasts a powerful 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder inline engine equipped with two ALPINA-specific mono-scroll turbochargers. This engine delivers an impressive 364 kW of power between 5,000 and 7,000 rpm, with peak torque of 730 Nm available from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed Sport-Automatic transmission, the ALPINA B3 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 305 km/h.
To ensure an exhilarating driving experience, ALPINA's high-performance sport chassis, exhaust system, and a specialised brake system with heat-resistant brake pads and drilled disc brakes have been incorporated into this special edition. The vehicle also features a sports suspension with variable damper control, four driving modes (Comfort+, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+), specific springs, bump stops, stabilisers, and a distinctively calibrated variable sports steering system.
All five limited-edition BMW ALPINA B3 50 Years of BMW South Africa units have already been sold, with deliveries scheduled for December 2023. The price, including Motorplan, VAT, and CO2 tax, stands at R 2,960,341.20, ensuring that these exclusive vehicles are collectors' items for BMW enthusiasts in South Africa.
