Alpina returns with special 50th anniversary ‘M3 alternative’ B3

BMW South Africa has concluded its 50th anniversary celebrations by surprisingly re-introducing the Alpina brand to the local market, albeit as a one-off and a limited capacity undertaking.

333i tribute

Returning in the guise of a single model, the 3 Series-based B3, the officially titled Alpina B3 50 Years of BMW South Africa Edition is limited to five examples, all already accounted for in spite of costing R864 544 more than an M3 Competition at R2 960 341 apiece.

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Supposed to pay tribute to the 333i, the B3’s unique touches comprise white wall Alpina wire spoke alloy wheels, chrome kidney grille surround, a gloss black finish for the lower air intake, a lip spoiler with white Alpina script and Alpina specific front and rear bumpers as well as Alpina badges on the bootlid.

For the B3, Alpina has gone a step further by adding white graphics with Alpina naming on the sides, over a colour called Alpina Green Metallic II chosen specifically for South Africa and not available in other market where the B3 is sold in.

Inside special

Inside, the layout of the interior remains unchanged, but with the additions of illuminated Alpina door sills, aluminium paddle shifters, the Alpina steering wheel with white-and-green stitch work, and a special builder’s plaque on the centre console commemorating each of the five units.

Completing the changes is the Merino Black leather upholstery option and the special BMW 50^th anniversary roundel embroidered onto the front headrests.

Underneath, Alpina has not left the B3’s dynamics unchanged from the M340i and as such, has upgraded the steel M brakes with heat resistant pads and drilled discs, while fitting an Alpina specific sport exhaust system, recalibrated power steering and adaptive sport suspension with uniquely tuned springs, dampers, stabilisers and four modes; Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

M3 rivalling outputs

Up front, the B58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six has been revised to produce 364kW/730Nm as opposed to the 285kW/500Nm made by the M340i.

Down 11 kW on the M3 Competition, but producing 80 Newton Metres more, the B3 will hit a limited top speed of 305 km/h and accelerate from 0-10 km/h in 3.6 seconds, a tenth slower than its sibling.

Sending the amount of twist to all four wheels through the xDrive all-wheel-drive system is an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox.

Cannot have it

As mentioned, all five units have already been sold will be handed over to their respective buyers before year-end.

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