Second generation Alpina XD3

Alpina XD3

Alpina XD3UK deliveries of ALPINA’s ultimate all-rounder will begin in April 2019. The second-generation XD3 offers an unrivalled combination of comfort, pace, bespoke engineering and the very latest clean diesel technology in a package ALPINA believes far more manageable, accessible and exploitable than many of its rivals.

The result of thousands of hours of development at ALPINA’s R&D centre and on roads from Death Valley to the Arctic Circle, the Buchloe-based manufacturer has created a car that can cruise effortlessly at its 158 mph maximum, sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and still deliver a 31.4 mpg combined average. CO2 emissions of 238 g/km on the challenging new WLTP test cycle (just 173 g/km and 44.1 mpg on the previous NEDC cycle) endow the XD3 with a longer range and more competitive benefit in kind rating than petrol powered competitors.

ALPINA GB’s brand manager Gary Lott is keen to stress the XD3 is about more than just the figures: “Our cars are for driving enthusiasts who value a blend of qualities that can only be delivered by immense attention to detail,” he explains. “The XD3 is built with just one powertrain and two chassis specifications, which allows our engineers to calibrate every component and every control system to work perfectly together without compromise. ALPINA’s dynamics specialists have spent months optimising the chassis not by hurling it around a race track, but by simply driving as customers would: on roads, enjoying every mile however fast or slow. The result is remarkable ride quality combined with a pin sharp driving experience.”

The heart of the UK-specification ALPINA XD3 is a heavily revised version of BMW’s award-winning diesel straight six. To increase power and torque without compromising responsiveness, ALPINA’s powertrain specialists have replaced the standard single TwinPower turbocharger with two variable geometry turbochargers – one small and one large, that work in parallel to provide significantly faster response and more linear, progressive power delivery. These are fed from larger intake ducts with optimised radii, allowing the engine to breathe more freely by reducing induction air pressure losses by up to 30 percent compared with the standard system. A 20 percent larger intercooler with flow-optimised aluminium ducting increases the density of the fuel / air mixture to further increase engine output.

Alpina XD3 Alpina XD3

 

 

 

Inside, the new ALPINA XD3 can be specified with an almost limitless range of options and leather trims, individually crafted in ALPINA’s saddlery. Standard equipment on UK-market cars includes acoustic glazing for better suppression of road and wind noise. Equipping the windscreen and front side windows, this laminated glass is 33% thicker than standard and includes a polyvinyl butyral interlayer to significantly reduce high-frequency wind noise, with smaller reductions in mid-frequency road noise. A 10.25” digital dash with three ALPINA-specific skins, ALPINA roundels on the seatbacks and a rear-view camera are also standard. The sports steering wheel is hand-finished in LAVALINA leather with blue and green signature stitching to provide a luxurious feel while retaining the firm rim preferred by skilled drivers. The interior of each car is finished with a unique, numbered production plaque.

Priced at £57,900 with significantly upgraded standard equipment

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