Alpina introduces D3 twin turbo diesel coupe, 43.6 mpg (US)
In Germany there is a long history of small aftermarket companies that specialize in taking production vehicles from one of the big German automakers and transforming it into something special. That something special usually amounts to taking cars that already have a healthy amount of power and making it an insane amount along with some body modifications and suspension upgrades. AMG (now owned by Mercedes) and Brabus specialize in tuning cars from Stuttgart while Alpina's focus is on BMWs. Alpina's latest effort is based on the 3-Series coupe with propulsion coming from a version of the 2.0L dual turbo diesel in the 123d. The D3 Bi-Turbo gets only a slight bump in power from 204 to 214 hp. Torque however swells from 295 lb-ft to 332 lb-ft. That's good enough for a sub 7 second 0-60 run while still getting a combined 43.6 mpg (US) with CO2 emissions of 143 g/km (all with the manual transmission). Attractive new wheels and lower air dam give the D3 a distinctive appearance from a run of the mill 3-Series as well.
Gallery: Alpina D3 bi-turbo coupe
[Source: Alpina]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BlackCanary 9:53AM (8/07/2008)
Hmm Prius or BMW, Prius or BMW. 43mpg, looks awsome, fast, what is not to like! I am sure it is not the cleanest Diesel going and smog does suck (just as the Chinese) but wow anyway!. Impressive no compromise way to get over 40mpg
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ale 1:32PM (8/07/2008)
bleh. the 3 series coupe looks better than this. I'm sorry Alpina, but um. next.
styling just not for me
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MIKE 10:29AM (8/08/2008)
I would love this car..
but to compare to a Prius.. you gotta be an idiot!
Hmm BMW 3series diesel or M3???
This Diesel will be DOUBLE the price of the Prius.
Diesel is $1 more per gallon and 3mpg less.
This is great for a 328 buyer that wants better fuel efficiency.
A great car but not in the same class of a Prius. Prius is more budget conscious and larger backseat (I know I have both a Prius and 335xi Sedan)
If i was in the market for a 328 I would DEFINITELY bought this instead.
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