Alpina’s ‘most bhp’ BMW
March 17th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
ALPINA GB has beaten BMW UK in the power stakes, by securing UK imports of the BMW D3 Bi-Turbo saloon.
The new model uses an Alpina-tweaked version twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel from the BMW 123d, to produce 214bhp.
It not only beats the pricier BMW 325d in terms of power, but also has the heady claim of producing the most BHP per litre of any Alpina car on sale.
And remember, the high performance BMW specialists’ cars are hardly lacking in this regard…
The Bi-Turbo succeeds the previous Alpina D3 saloon, and comes to the UK in a single specification. The only choice on offer to car buyers is colour, or gearbox type.
It’s a car that can do 62mph in 6.9 seconds, yet also average 52.3mpg. A 152mph car, whose CO2 emissions are a low 143g/km – further bolstering its appeal.
Again, all these statistics are better than the more expensive, albeit smooth six-cylinder, BMW 325d.
John Quigley, MD of Alpina GB said: ‘The previous D3 model was one of our most successful cars ever. We believe we really hit the spot in terms of performance, exclusivity and price.
‘But the new car is even better than the previous model, in all the key areas; performance is improved, yet both fuel economy and – crucially – emissions are reduced.’
He also revealed that ‘around half of D3 sales will be to business users – who will relish any opportunity to lower their personal benefit in kind charges.’
Alpina GB has been the sole UK importer since 1983, but the relationship with BMW goes back much further – to 1961.
And it’s no mere aftermarket tuner. Alpina was declared a pukka ISO-standard car maker, again back in 1983.
BMW used car prices up in 2009
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