XD3/XD4 [Official] BMW ALPINA XD3 BITURBO

[picsoubmw]

Actually, the X5 e53 is the first Alpina SUV, but this have never been publicly sold, built by special order only, the Alpina X5 was powered by the well-know V8 4.4l 500hp :

 

[E38_E30]

Actually, the X5 e53 is the first Alpina SUV, but this have never been publicly sold, built by special order only

Sorry, this is complete BS!

The E53 pictured above was actually a prototype or feasibility study featuring the H1 drivetrain known from the B5, B6 and B7 of that time. The X5 was built for testing purposes and was also driven by the BMW board against competitors long before the first X5M's saw the first ray of light to evaluate high-performances SAV's containing BMW DNA.

This particular set of pictures taken in the backyard of ALPINA's headquarters in Buchloe is the very reason why factory tours for customers got immediately axed.

 

[Levi68]

Well on the B3, Alpina used the normal bumper and added a lip, the did not use the M bumper. On the X3 however they did, what is unsual. I'm talking about M-package body kits of course.

 

[picsoubmw]

Sorry, this is complete BS!

The E53 pictured above was actually a prototype or feasibility study featuring the H1 drivetrain known from the B5, B6 and B7 of that time. The X5 was built for testing purposes and was also driven by the BMW board against competitors long before the first X5M's saw the first ray of light to evaluate high-performances SAV's containing BMW DNA.

This particular set of pictures taken in the backyard of ALPINA's headquarters in Buchloe is the very reason why factory tours for customers got immediately axed.

I did ask back in 2007 on an French forum if a X5 by Alpina was planned, and according to an Alpina owner who answered me, you could get the car by special request and posted these pictures taken in may 2006.

 

[E38_E30]

An Alpina owner on a french forum is asked about the future product plan of a German car manufacturer with close ties to BMW regarding their plan to enter the niche of high-performance SAV's. Now, thats sounds reasonable! Not.

Keep in mind, ALPINA is not some third-rate customizing shop. The have to obey some rules and regulations in order to get their cars road legal in Germany and other markets. Plus, they don't do aftermarket conversions (anymore). Every ALPINA is built on BMW production lines and then brought to Buchloe for finishing touches, final testing and stamping in the ALPINA VIN. No special request builds whatsoever! The only aftermarket tune-ups conducted by ALPINA in recent years had been power upgrades on already existing B5 LCI E60/61 and F10/11 B5 BiT cars.

 

[picsoubmw]

I'm sorry to have asked somebody who, contrary to other people, happen to be an Alpina owner, which already been in Buchloe and who is in contact with some representative of the brand if he did have some information on an upcomming X5 by Alpina. Because, it sure that car manufacturer have never invited customer to some clinic test about future possible product, or customer are offered the opportunity to see product before public and to finish, the representative of the brand never talk to customer of the upcomming car...

 

[ateekt]

Stunning beauty. Before, it was the Q5 but now it has to be this one to lead the segment in both, looks & performance!

 

[Hofmeister]

I wonder why they didn't wait to base the XD3 on the LCI X3, of which we've already seen spy shots of? Is it further away than we thought? Anyway, I have no doubts that this will be nothing other than superb, the same Alpina modified N57 used in the D5 BiTurbo sounds incredible for a diesel, along with being supremely powerful and refined, and it should ride and handle much better thanks to the adoption of non RFTs and Alpina chassis improvements.

P.S., thanks picsoubmw for those pictures of the E53 testbed, very interesting for someone who has recently become fascinated with Alpina

 

[Hofmeister]

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Nothing yet up on Alpina's official YouTube channel, hopefully there will be soon:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ALPINAAutomobiles

 

[E38_E30]

Some interesting Geneva insights about the XD3 BiT from Neil, the admin and editor of thealpinaregister.com. He was talking to Andy Bovensiepen himself. I hope he doesn't mind if I paste his posting over here, as it will answer some of the questions that had been raised here.

Source and full thread: http://www.thealpinaregister.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14793

Q: I asked Andy B about why they decided on the X3....

A: They have been considering it for a while (I should know - I was hoping for an ALPINA X5 a while back - they tested it and it was definitely on the cards at one point).

There is a big market for performance SUVs. Porsche, Range Rover, Audi etc.

The X3 is ideal in terms of its lifecycle.

The X3 has proven to be successful across markets and across its lifetime.

The X3 is as big as the original X5 but 300Kg lighter.

It was suitable to take the D5 engine.

Ultimately it gives the performance of a big petrol V8 SUV with the very good economy and emissions.

They also expect the car to appeal to new type of customers.

I briefly spoke to Andy B this morning and he said the obvious and biggest challege was making the X3 feel like an ALPINA. He is confident they have.

The X3 is made in Spartenburg, USA, as a result it comes to Buchloe as a standard X3 and is converted to the ALPINA there - this is exactly the same that happened with the Roadster S.

As it comes from the USA the ability to do ALPINA things on the production line is limited. As a result it is not available in ALPINA Blue or ALPINA Green. By a quick check of the BMW website that means there are 10 BMW colours to choose from.

It also means that ALPINA wood is not available.

Interesting facts about the show car...

1. It is in Midnight Blue with full stripes. The car featured in the launch video and photos is a White car also striped.

2. The main interior is trimmed in black alcantara with white stiching this looks the part and definitely moves the interior up a notch or two.

3. The have worked with a supplier (TBD) on a new innovative interior detailing. The technique allows for very fine detailing to be put into the interior trim and lit by LEDs.

4. The show car is 002. 001 is not built yet - when it is it will be a RHD car !

5. The car features an akrapovic rear section - this basically has been designed to increase performance and improve / enhance the sound of the car.

6. The show car is sitting on 21 inch (optional wheels) There is no Dynamic option only 20 or 21 inch new Classic wheels.

7. An unofficial acceleration test showed the car could accelerate 0-50kph in just 1.1 seconds ! Thanks to great traction and obviously the torque.

 

[DeDe]

0-50 kph in 1,1 sec?! That's menthal! The only car managed this time is the 620-hp Ruf 997 Turbo PDK...

Alpina numbers are pretty realistic btw, they always test they cars with Vbox.

 

[LaArtist]

Wow Alpina came hard on this one.

I do not even like the X3..

This is nice

 

[bimmerjph]

I like everything except for the wheels. It just doesn't look right on the car.

I really want to see what the could do with the current X5.

 

[E38_E30]

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[Andreas1984]

It's nice but it's not so desirable as the B3 BT Touring AWD.

 

[Hofmeister]

First review, from Autocar. Conclusion? It's exceptional, 4.5 stars out of 5.

Given the high standard set by BMW in the first place, especially on the 3-series, it’s sometimes hard to see where Alpina can make much of a difference, but in this case they’ve excelled themselves. The XD3 feels like a significant step forward compared with the standard X3, making it one of the most exciting, most complete SUVs on the market.

 

[Deckhook]

IMO this is the only real rival to the SQ5 but its is probably on another level again. Plus I think the Alpina body kit works great.

 

[E38_E30]

Geneva 2014:
ALPINA XD3 BiTurbo LCI
source: http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en/models-alpina/xd3-biturbo/gallery.html

 

[Merc1]

This actually looks good.

M

 

[Centurion]

This actually looks good.

M

Yupp. Alpina have done a splendid job propping up the X3 and the 6er Gran Coupe. The styling is on the level of Audi's S-models.