The arrival of Alpina in Singapore marks the first foray into South East Asia for the small automaker, which constructs just 1,200 to 1,500 automobiles per year in collaboration with BMW. Alpina’s debutante model for our part of the world is the B3 Biturbo, based on the superb 335i saloon. The local agent is Munich Automobiles, which also sells BMW M cars here.
The B3 is not an ordinary “mod job” – approved by BMW AG as a brand-new vehicle, it enjoys the same after-sales support as other Bimmers, provided in this case by the authorised dealership. And Alpina is not an ordinary “mod workshop” – it’s been officially recognised, by the German Federal Motor Vehicle Registration Agency, as a car manufacturer since 1983. That’s 30 years in the business of making fast and safe German cars.
Alpina’s manufacturing process for the B3 goes like this… The custom-modified, hand-assembled twin-turbo engine is mated to a specific 3 Series saloon’s bodyshell and chassis on BMW’s production line, and the semi-complete car is then shipped to Alpina’s factory in Buchloe for final assembly, which includes the fitment of Alpina-designed meters and materials (plus the obligatory logos, of course).
On the outside, the B3 is still recognisably an F30 3 Series, but it’s been slightly restyled by Alpina, and for the better. There’s a deep front spoiler below the chin and a sleek rear spoiler above the boot lid, both of which work together to cut aerodynamic lift by around 60 per cent compared to the standard 335i saloon. This means practically zero lift at high speed, which in the case of the B3 means up to 305km/h – such “cruise missile” performance used to belong exclusively to supercars.
The suspension has been firmed up and lowered in height, giving a noticeable “nose-down” appearance. This angle of attack would help to optimise “wind cheating”, but Alpina makes no mention of reduced drag.
The wheels are 20-inch, 20-spoke affairs with Alpina’s classic rim look, shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. The conventional rubber suffers none of the ride discomfort associated with run-flat equivalents, but more importantly, the PSS Michelins are at the pinnacle of street-legal high-performance tyres and they equip almost all ultra-sporty German cars.
Two pairs of tailpipes, supplied by Akrapovic specially for this application, protrude from underneath the Alpina-spec rear valance. These sound like a straight-through system in the B3’s Sport drive mode, and they have a bypass valve that silences the exhaust note when in Comfort mode, so as to meet drive-by noise regulations in Europe. Even though the exhaust system is made from stainless steel, rather than lightweight titanium, it weighs 7.5kg less than the one on the 335i.
The exhaust gases are produced by BMW’s proven 3-litre inline-6 motor, codenamed N55, but Alpina has turned it from a “mono-turbo” (i.e. with one turbocharger) into a “biturbo” (i.e. with two turbochargers). It’s virtually an engine rebuild, complete with a new forged-steel crankshaft to withstand the additional 200Nm of twisting force (it peaks at 600Nm). The horsepower rating has been raised from the base motor’s 306bhp to 410bhp – a whopping 33.9 per cent jump. Alpina has also specified its own engine control unit, NGK spark plugs, high-pressure fuel pump, and intake plumbing. To keep the engine’s temperature in check, there’s a 40 per cent bigger intercooler and a stronger cooling fan.
The transmission is ZF’s 8HP70, essentially a beefed-up version of the 8HP45 gearbox in the 335i. The torque converter can handle 600Nm, and the final drive has been made “taller” (2.180 versus 3.154) to enable the overdriven 8th gear to maintain 100km/h with just 1500rpm. To compensate for the relatively tall final drive (which affects the car’s initial acceleration), the first gear ratio has been made “shorter” (4.710 versus 4.171). There’s also a Drexler mechanical LSD (limited slip differential) with asymmetrical locking for “tighter” traction in corners.
In a straight line, the B3 blasts to 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds. That’s half a second quicker than the previous M3 saloon, and just 0.1 of a second slower than the newly released M3, which has a twin-turbocharged 3-litre 6-cylinder like the B3, but with more power (431bhp) and less torque (550Nm). The B3 has no speed governor, so it can go over 300km/h on the autobahn, whereas BMW’s M cars are restricted to 250km/h (they can be “de-restricted”, though).
Blue Plus – Blue-coloured instrument gauges are part of the B3 335i “repackage”
Despite the searing performance of the B3, it has a surprisingly sensible (claimed) fuel consumption of just over 13 kilometres per litre, which trumps the 12km/L of the new automatic M3. Of greater relevance is the fact that the B3’s economy and emissions are comparable to the 335i’s in spite of the huge performance gains.
On the road, the B3 is simply stunning. It slings its way forward after its rear tyres have found enough traction, and the Akrapovics let out their battle cry to accompany the muscular power delivery, which peaks at just above 6200rpm. There is not a trace of turbo lag, and no “quick quirks” from the well-tuned engine.
The B3’s 8-speed automatic responds rapidly to “manual” gear selection via Alpina’s Switch-Tronic system, which uses buttons behind the steering wheel’s horizontal spokes. The responses are equally rapid in full auto mode – shove the accelerator pedal and the gearbox will shift from 8th gear into 2nd in a flash. The gearchanges are syrupy-sweet under all conditions, including at parking speeds that might flummox a dual-clutch transmission.
In terms of ride and handling, Alpina’s ideology feels most different from BMW’s M philosophy – the former is all about making a great regular Bimmer even better, while the latter is obsessed with creating street-legal sports cars inspired by actual racecars. This is why the B3’s powertrain has been optimised for long-distance motoring, and its suspension set up for smooth yet super-stable cruising.
Activate the electronic dampers’ Sport (or Sport+) mode to stiffen the ride and make it more suitable for vigorous driving, with crisp and connected steering to match. To the car’s credit, the added tautness doesn’t mean unbearable firmness – there’s still sufficient suppleness for point-to-point commuting.
Inside the B3, the basic 3 Series architecture remains unchanged, but Alpina’s “redecorators” have made the cockpit a bit more unique. The special touches include blue instrument meters, Lavalina upmarket leather upholstery and a bespoke steering wheel (with Alpina’s signature blue-green stitching). All the BMW interior emblems have been swopped for Alpina’s (but not those on the exterior), and as always, there’s a prominent plaque on the centre console with the vehicle’s “exclusive production” serial number. Because the cabin is “redecorated” at Alpina’s plant, the firm promises “virtually no limits for individualisation”.
The B3 costs some $110,000 more than the 335i saloon, which seems expensive unless you consider the Alpina to be a left-field alternative to the all-new M3, which is coming to Singapore soon.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 2979cc, 24-valves, inline-6, turbocharged
MAX POWER 410bhp at 5500-6250rpm
MAX TORQUE 600Nm at 3000-4000rpm
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic
with manual select
0-100KM/H 4.2 seconds
TOP SPEED 305km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.2km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 177g/km
PRICE INCL. COE
$430,000 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
