[icyhot e92]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

For all that want it in the US you wouldnt buy it if it was here because it would be as much or more than an M3 and would also only come in automatic.

BMW already knows MT doesn't sell too well which is why they are basically going to discontinue it except in 3 series/M3. It is a point of exclusivity at that price point anyway. Same reason people bought the Frozen Gray M3 which offered almost nothing else extra above a regular M3. As long as this is DCT, they should have a small allocation for the US. I would guess it will be slightly more than the 335is pricing compared to the 335i.

[red-sauerkraut]

Aye Aye Captain

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

Nice. I like the concept of the front-end having a stronger "chin."
Much tougher looking in a good way.
.

[E46M54325Ci]

yea, why the antiquated steering wheel?

[Phil335]

Originally Posted by stefan

Whether it's a lip or the stock bumper, the F30 sure benefits from having a flat bottom'ed bumper. Resonates a bit with the design language of the new 6er. Cool!

+1

Couldn't agree more.

[Rich@GTBPerformance]

Love the preview. And I agree, the styling does seem to work quite well with that front lip.

It will be interesting to see how they get the 400hp figure out of the N55 without too much buggering around.

[rxander]

Originally planning to buy an M-Sport front bumper for my 328, but this will do nicely if I don't. (lip)
Do want

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by Jason

[bpnews="BMW F30 Alpina B3 Preview"]
Expect it to debut at next year's Geneva show in March 2013 and to be powered by the N55 engine, but massaged by Alpina to an even higher output than the current B3 S which has 400HP from its N54 engine.

I don't think the new B3 will have the N55 engine in it. There's just not enough potential in this engine, especially not for over 400hp. They'll either use an upgraded N54 or a toned-down version of the new M3 F80 engine.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

I don't think the new B3 will have the N55 engine in it. There's just not enough potential in this engine, especially not for over 400hp. They'll either use an upgraded N54 or a toned-down version of the new M3 F80 engine.

Alpina_B3_Lux

The other thing to consider is that this image is NOT from Alpina, this is a photoshop render submitted by a reader of BimmerToday. Granted Alpina sways very little from its standard design elements and usually an easy read as to what the future holds but this is not an official preview.

Knowing how Buchloe works and their target demo, they have no need to market in this fashion. It is a nice render and most likely very accurate.

As for the engine- you can get 400hp out of the N55 but not using the stock intake system or turbo. Having seen what they can do with their other offerings I would not be surprised if they do get 400hp out of the N55 with some Alpina tech...

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

As for the engine- you can get 400hp out of the N55 but not using the stock intake system or turbo.

No, not in a reliable fashion. You may be able to get a dyno somewhere that reads 400hp with some aftermarket intake and modified downpipes, but this is far from the standard Alpina needs to adopt when marketing their cars.

Alpina tried that themselves when the N55 came out and there was the idea of integrating it into the B3S Biturbo. However, after a number of engines broke down during the testing process, this was abandoned. The N55 simply does not have enough potential to produce 400+hp and a broad torque band while maintaining the reliability and emission standards that Alpina is subject to.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[Robin_NL]

That frontbumper makes it just a tad more agressive, less than the M Sport package imo. I don't like the wheeldesign and those 50 year old Alpina stripes. But overal it just looks ok on this render.

Cheers
Robin

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

No, not in a reliable fashion. You may be able to get a dyno somewhere that reads 400hp with some aftermarket intake and modified downpipes, but this is far from the standard Alpina needs to adopt when marketing their cars.

Alpina tried that themselves when the N55 came out and there was the idea of integrating it into the B3S Biturbo. However, after a number of engines broke down during the testing process, this was abandoned. The N55 simply does not have enough potential to produce 400+hp and a broad torque band while maintaining the reliability and emission standards that Alpina is subject to.

Alpina_B3_Lux

I know what they put into their cars (I've spent some time with Andy) and also know that they have had some time to work on things since that original N55 project- they can rework a lot of things and let's not forget that BMW M GmbH has been assisting them a great deal over the last few years...

I would't be surprised if there is a modified bedplate and two turbos to go along with other typical Alpina tuning. But maybe they will stick with the N54 although they will have a hard time getting one that isn't from a crate. I really don't follow their prototyping as close as I should... as I love the cars a great deal and up until the M550d I swore that Alpina was the only way to get a true High performance diesel..

What's your take on what is under that hood?

[GOLFFRR]

Looks great!

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

I know what they put into their cars (I've spent some time with Andy) and also know that they have had some time to work on things since that original N55 project- they can rework a lot of things and let's not forget that BMW M GmbH has been assisting them a great deal over the last few years...

I would't be surprised if there is a modified bedplate and two turbos to go along with other typical Alpina tuning. But maybe they will stick with the N54 although they will have a hard time getting one that isn't from a crate. I really don't follow their prototyping as close as I should... as I love the cars a great deal and up until the M550d I swore that Alpina was the only way to get a true High performance diesel..

What's your take on what is under that hood?

I think the N55 would have to be modified too much (just as you said as well) in order for them to be a good platform and to be more powerful than the current B3 S - and let's not forget they need some room for an "S" variant later on.

I agree with you that they'll probably work closely together with the M GmbH, and I think it will be a straight six biturbo engine - probably somewhat similar to what they did with the M5/B5 combo, i.e. a more sophisticated version for the M3 and a slightly simpler version for the Alpina.

The only problem I currently have with that speculation is that Alpina nowadays always uses a BMW engine and modifies it - and currently there's only the N54 that is suitable but which is slowly being phased out of BMW's engine offer. Except if they're working on an update for that engine in order to place it above the N55 in some specific sports-oriented models, which would make sense as well; and then use that as a basis for the new M3.

We'll see but I'm quite curious how Alpina will solve the dilemma of having to bring out a model that has to be stronger than the current E9x but less powerful than the new M3 that will have 450hp with a very similar engine setup.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[Mr. Nice]

I'm assuming they will just upgrade the turbo, similar to the F30 race car we saw a while back.

"Unveiled during the local launch of the newest road-going 3 Series range, the race cars, finished in traditional BMW Motorsport colours and featuring many of the forthcoming M specification components (including brakes, which proved a contentious point come race day) and switchgear took shape over the course of just three months after the ADF Motorsport team took delivery of two road-going test mules that would usually have been crushed after duty. Stripped to their shells, and with an expertly-crafted roll cage in place, the cars use the same N55 twin-scroll single turbocharged in line six engine as featured in the current 335i range. For race application the turbo has been upgraded.

SPECS:

•2,998 pounds (1360kg)
•408hp / 443 lb-ft torque (600nm)
•MoTeC ECU
•Turbos boost lowered to maximum 0.7 bar and 40mm turbo inlet restrictor
•M Performance front brakes (370mm)
•18" BBS wheels
•Akrapovic exhaust
•GPS data logging system
•6 weeks to complete, at cost of 196,300 Euro"

[Mike Benvo]

Looks amazing just like everything else Alpina

[bosz]

The Alpina looks MUCH better than the M sport Package

[Royalrot]

Originally Posted by bosz

The Alpina looks MUCH better than the M sport Package

that's right, fellow an absolute stunner