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BMW Alpina XD3 Bi-Turbo 3.0 (A) Review

24 Feb 2017|26,932 views

Expect high everyday functionality, a relentless surge of power and a pleasing soundtrack from Alpina's latest BMW XD3.

What We Like

One of the most engaging SUVs we've driven

Possesses both form and function

Exclusive and bespoke

What We Dislike

On the highway, you get tyre roar entering the cabin

Some may consider the engine sound too civilised

The focal point of the rear-end design is two stainless steel twin tailpipes elegantly integrated into the rear apron

For its first Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), Alpina has taken the BMW X3 and transformed it into one of the fastest and most fun-to-drive premium compact SUVs on the roads today.

Not just skin deep

The exterior differences between the regular X3 and Alpina's BMW XD3 are slight. Blink and you'll miss the 'Alpina' lettering on the front apron - the sort of moniker that reminds the certain few who are in the know that this isn't your regular BMW X3.

Around back, the changes are equally light. Hanging from openings on either end of the new bumper insert are thick quad exhaust pipes. Also exclusive to the Alpina XD3 are the head-turning Alpina Classic 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubbers as featured on our test car. Buyers looking for slightly larger wheels can opt for the 21-inch versions.

Delivering 350bhp and an impressive 700Nm of torque is the XD3's Bi-Turbo diesel engine

The biggest difference between the XD3 and X3, however, is what you don't see.

At the heart of this lovely beast is a straight six, full-aluminium 3.0-litre engine boosted by two powerful turbochargers with variable turbine geometry and modern common rail direct injection. By enlarging the diameter of the air intake ducts, Alpina lets the engine breathe more freely, resulting in improved performance and response.

In combination with the appropriate turbocharging, Alpina maximises the engine's full potential of 350 Bavarian horses and 700Nm of twisting torque (44bhp and 400Nm more than the regular twin-turbo straight six X3 that we tested previously).

This 550-litre capacity boot expands to 1,600 litres when the rear seats are folded flat

The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which Alpina adapted and tested in co-operation with ZF specifically for this model. When engaged together, the XD3's powertrain gives this SUV a century sprint of just 4.9 seconds - A very impressive trait for a vehicle that weighs 1,670kg.

Compared to the similarly sized but more commonplace Porsche Macan Diesel S PDK 3.0, the XD3 is just about 1.4 seconds quicker.

The hand-finished Lavalina leather steering wheel with blue/green stitching remind you that this isn't an ordinary X3

In high fashion

Step into the XD3 and you'll immediately notice how great the view is. Having a higher seating position is usually a trade off for poor handling - the higher the car's centre of gravity, the harder it is for you to control. Not in the XD3.

And just to remind you that you're not sitting in your typical X3, the interior is finely packaged with leather upholstery, supportive sport seats, and a hand-finished leather sport steering wheel. Alpina door sills, floor mats and emblems in the seatbacks also provide discreet hints to the XD3's provenance.

This car also features a comprehensive list of standard equipment including Xenon head lights, cruise control, parking sensors, park distance control, lane departure warning and LED fog lights.

Mutually exclusive

The words 'brilliant' and 'SUV' rarely appear in the same sentence, but in this case, Alpina has managed to marry the two with the XD3.

Small and stylish details round off the identity of the XD3's interior, including this exclusive production plaque

While the true purpose of the high-performance SUV will be lost on most, we definitely get it. It's a purist's car, strictly for those in the know. It will get respect from only a select band of like-minded enthusiasts, including those who would have otherwised balked at the idea of owning an SUV.

That and the fact that there are currently only seven on our roads should be enough to justify its price tag of $395,800 with COE (as of 22^nd February 2017).

Your neighbours are probably going to have a Macan but no one is going to have an XD3. And in an era of personalisation, you can consider this Alpina one of few.

What We Like

One of the most engaging SUVs we've driven

Possesses both form and function

Exclusive and bespoke

What We Dislike

On the highway, you get tyre roar entering the cabin

Some may consider the engine sound too civilised

The number of millionaires in the world is at an all-time high and so is demand for the most exotic of automobiles. Welcome to the world of bespoke car personalisation, where exclusivity is key and where Alpina offers a unique proposition.

Alpina is a kind of M GmbH but with more grace and less animosity. The manufacturer fills the gap between the 'regular' BMW and the outwardly aggressive M cars. Models by Alpina are fast but also more focused on flexibility and comfort.

For its first Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), Alpina has taken the BMW X3 and transformed it into one of the fastest and most fun-to-drive premium compact SUVs on the roads today.

Not just skin deep

The exterior differences between the regular X3 and Alpina's BMW XD3 are slight. Blink and you'll miss the 'Alpina' lettering on the front apron - the sort of moniker that reminds the certain few who are in the know that this isn't your regular BMW X3.

Around back, the changes are equally light. Hanging from openings on either end of the new bumper insert are thick quad exhaust pipes. Also exclusive to the Alpina XD3 are the head-turning Alpina Classic 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubbers as featured on our test car. Buyers looking for slightly larger wheels can opt for the 21-inch versions.

The biggest difference between the XD3 and X3, however, is what you don't see.

At the heart of this lovely beast is a straight six, full-aluminium 3.0-litre engine boosted by two powerful turbochargers with variable turbine geometry and modern common rail direct injection. By enlarging the diameter of the air intake ducts, Alpina lets the engine breathe more freely, resulting in improved performance and response.

In combination with the appropriate turbocharging, Alpina maximises the engine's full potential of 350 Bavarian horses and 700Nm of twisting torque (44bhp and 400Nm more than the regular twin-turbo straight six X3 that we tested previously).

The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which Alpina adapted and tested in co-operation with ZF specifically for this model. When engaged together, the XD3's powertrain gives this SUV a century sprint of just 4.9 seconds - A very impressive trait for a vehicle that weighs 1,670kg.

Compared to the similarly sized but more commonplace Porsche Macan Diesel S PDK 3.0, the XD3 is just about 1.4 seconds quicker.

Not just an illusion

On the road and you'll soon discover the XD3's beautifully smooth and responsive engine, which serves up monumental drive to all four tyres. The fact that the XD3 is equipped with electronically adjustable dampers calibrated by Alpina also means you can lay all of the 700Nm of torque onto the tarmac and not have to worry about being thrown off the road.

The steering is crisp and precise, with the front end responding with fervour, hurling the XD3 through corners like a tall hot hatch.

Even the ride quality doesn't suffer for having those steamroller wheels, which is extraordinary.

With more than enough space for five people and a 550-litre capacity boot (this expands to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded flat), the XD3 achieves unpredictable driving highs while still doing all the other sensible-shoes stuff the family-friendly X3 line suggests it should.

In high fashion

Step into the XD3 and you'll immediately notice how great the view is. Having a higher seating position is usually a trade off for poor handling - the higher the car's centre of gravity, the harder it is for you to control. Not in the XD3.

And just to remind you that you're not sitting in your typical X3, the interior is finely packaged with leather upholstery, supportive sport seats, and a hand-finished leather sport steering wheel. Alpina door sills, floor mats and emblems in the seatbacks also provide discreet hints to the XD3's provenance.

This car also features a comprehensive list of standard equipment including Xenon head lights, cruise control, parking sensors, park distance control, lane departure warning and LED fog lights.

Mutually exclusive

The words 'brilliant' and 'SUV' rarely appear in the same sentence, but in this case, Alpina has managed to marry the two with the XD3.

While the true purpose of the high-performance SUV will be lost on most, we definitely get it. It's a purist's car, strictly for those in the know. It will get respect from only a select band of like-minded enthusiasts, including those who would have otherwised balked at the idea of owning an SUV.

That and the fact that there are currently only seven on our roads should be enough to justify its price tag of $395,800 with COE (as of 22^nd February 2017).

Your neighbours are probably going to have a Macan but no one is going to have an XD3. And in an era of personalisation, you can consider this Alpina one of few.