Major update brings price hikes but Alpina B3 still cheaper than a BMW M3 Competition
Alpina Australia has locked in local pricing for the inbound 2023 Alpina B3 ahead of its arrival Down Under later this year, with the enhanced prestige mid-size sedan and Touring wagon to start from $152,900 and $155,900 plus on-road costs respectively.
Based on the just-facelifted 2023 BMW 3 Series, the new Alpina B3 has been treated to a stylistic makeover both on the exterior and within the cabin with a new front fascia, redesigned headlights and the latest dual-screen dash design comprising a 14.9-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital cockpit.
The updated prices are some $10,000 higher than the pre-facelift versions, but the extra outlay has been justified through the step up in cabin technology as well as the enhanced six-cylinder powertrain which now churns out more power and torque.
Specifically, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine has had an extra 24kW/30Nm screwed out of it, boosting total outputs to 364kW/730Nm.
That makes the Alpina B3 more powerful and much torquier than the current non-Competition-spec – and manual-only – BMW M3 (353kW/550Nm).
Torque has always been an Alpina speciality, but the new elevated kilowatt count also now means the B3 is breathing down the neck of the BMW M3 Competition (375kW/650Nm) neck – and still well ahead on torque.
The B3 sedan is also much cheaper than the current M3 Competition (from $160,500 or $166,500 with AWD, both plus ORCs), while the B3 Touring stands alone with no M3 wagon option available – yet. The current non-Comp M3 sedan starts at $150,500 plus ORCs.
The extra grunt in the updated B3 has been liberated by fresh engine mapping and is handled by an updated version of BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission.
Like the BMW M340i xDrive donor vehicle, both the updated B3 sedan and Touring channel their power to the ground via all four wheels, resulting in 0-100km/h times of 3.6 and 3.7 seconds respectively.
Both models ride on bespoke Eibach springs and four-way adaptive dampers (Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+), while braking hardware comes courtesy of an Alpina performance kit comprising 395mm front rotors with four-piston callipers and 345mm rear discs grabbed by floating single-piston callipers.
Like the chassis and powertrain, Alpina has a habit of going above and beyond the standard BMW spec when it comes to the interior, so it’s no surprise to find the updated B3 range dripping with standard equipment.
In addition to that new curved dual-screen display and extra firepower, the updated B3’s standard equipment highlights include Vernasca leather upholstery, a unique sports steering wheel, piano black interior trim, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, comfort access, anthracite headliner, a plethora of Alpina logos and emblems and a head-up display, just to name a few.
Like every Alpina offering there are a few other exclusive touches like the multi-spoke 19-inch alloys, bespoke exhaust system, unique bumpers and the obligatory ‘ALPINA’ lettering along the front splitter.
What’s more, the tuning house has also configured a special ‘Autobahn Edition’ for the Australian market that bundles in the iconic Alpina Blue or Alpina Green II paintwork, higher-performance brake system, adaptive LED headlights, exclusive 20-inch wheels, the Shadow Line Extended cosmetic pack, merino leather upholstery, a sunroof, high beam assist, drive recorder, embossed head restraints, paddle shifters, wireless phone charging and luxury floor mats.
Alpina Australia is still to confirm pricing for the B3 Autobahn Edition sedan and wagon.
How much does the 2023 Alpina B3 cost?Sedan (a) – $152,900Touring (a) – $155,900Sedan Autobahn Edition (a) – TBCTouring Autobahn Edition (a) – TBC
* Prices exclude on-road costs