Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo Touring
Long-time BMW tuner Alpina has released their updated B3 Bi-turbo Touring, based on the recently face-lifted E91 3-Series Wagon. Based on the thrilling 335iT, the B3 packs a mighty punch while offering classy and subtle styling. BMW’s award-winning 3.0L twin-turbo inline six has been tweaked to produce a potent (and still under-tuned) 360 horsepower and 386lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the only transmission offered is ZF’s 6-speed automatic. Yet even with a torque converter hindering performance, Alpina claims their B3 Bi-Turbo touring can blast to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in an E39 M5-rivaling 4.9 seconds and continue to an impressive 177 miles per hour. Alpina offers their uber-wagon in either rear wheel drive (our choice) or all-wheel drive, in either specification with 245/40 ZR18 front and 265/40 ZR18 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires. While certainly not a balls-to-the-wall enthusiast grocery-getter, the Alpina B3 B-Turbo Touring is nevertheless a refined, fast, and as always practical Sport Wagon.
September 8th, 2008 (Source: Alpina)
