If there’s one automotive we’d like to see within the U.S. as a lot because the BMW M3 Touring, it must be the ALPINA B3 GT Touring. This high-performance wagon blends ALPINA’s famend craftsmanship with the practicality and flexibility of a 3 Sequence Touring, making it one in every of ALPINA’s bestsellers. Not too long ago, at a media occasion in Mallorca, we had the chance to expertise each the B3 GT sedan and the ALPINA Blue-painted B3 GT Touring up shut.
As a enjoyable truth, ALPINA affords the B3 GT in a brand new vary of unique colours, together with ALPINA Blue and ALPINA Inexperienced. BMW Particular person strong paintworks Trend Gray, Brewster Inexperienced, or Imola Pink, in addition to the metallic paintworks Daytona Violet or Carbon Black, can be found inside a palette of 17 totally different colours.
M3 Engine Beneath The Hood
Beneath the hood, the ALPINA B3 GT is powered by the identical 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine (S58) discovered within the BMW M3 G80. Nonetheless, in distinction to the M3’s daring and large grille design, the B3 GT affords a extra traditional, restrained look, interesting to lovers who admire M3 efficiency however want extra understated styling. And that’s precisely what the B3 GT Touring delivers with cohesive traces and a design that hides its true energy.
Talking of energy, ALPINA has finely tuned this powerplant to ship a formidable 529 horsepower at 6250-6500 rpm, with a peak torque of 730 Nm obtainable from 2500 to 4500 rpm. This tuning represents a considerable increase over the usual B3, including 34 horsepower and 30 Nm of torque. The B3 GT’s acceleration is equally spectacular: the sedan model launches from 0 to 100 km/h in simply 3.4 seconds. Prime pace is one other space the place the B3 GT shines, reaching as much as 308 km/h within the sedan. This stage of efficiency is achieved by means of ALPINA’s custom-engineered turbochargers, a specialised intercooler system, and a recalibrated ECU, all optimized to extract the utmost potential from the engine.
A Enjoyable Observe Automotive Additionally
In fact, the ALPINA B3 GT is usually a enjoyable monitor automotive if wanted. Its adjustable suspension system adapts seamlessly to driving situations, balancing consolation with efficiency. The GT fashions function a extra inflexible rear damper setup and enhanced front-end stability, aided by Oro Tecnico-painted domed bulkhead struts. These enhancements give the B3 GT a pointy steering response and exact dealing with that join the driving force to each nook. The 8-speed ZF automated transmission within the ALPINA B3 GT is one other standout function, calibrated by ALPINA for quicker shifts and an intuitive response to driver inputs.
The Typical ALPINA Luxurious Inside
Inside, the B3 GT combines consolation with refined magnificence. The cabin options high quality supplies like Nappa leather-based and carbon-fiber accents. Constructing on the up to date 3 Sequence inside, it consists of BMW’s newest iDrive 8.5 system and refined cabin options. ALPINA has added considerate particulars all through, together with a steering wheel wrapped in LAVALINA leather-based with Oro Tecnico stitching. The shift paddles, comprised of anodized aluminum, additionally match the gold-bronze coloration. Flooring and baggage compartment mats with black leather-based edging in Oro Tecnico, together with GT lettering on the door sills, headrests, and steering wheel, add a novel contact to the inside.
With roughly 1.5 years of manufacturing remaining, ALPINA has discontinued all non-GT B3 and B4 fashions. They may deal with producing roughly 1,750 GT fashions by means of the top of 2025. This limits the brand new mannequin’s availability to the identical variety of manufacturing slots as earlier years with the non-GT B3 and B4. [Photos: ALPINA]
