The 2025 Alpina B3 GT Touring arrives as a final chapter for the German tuner’s high-performance 3-series lineup. Positioned as a direct rival to the BMW M3 Touring, it offers a distinct alternative—less aggressive in styling but packing more torque and a claimed 190 mph top speed.
Understated power, M3-beating numbers
The B3 GT shares its body shell with a standard 3-series, ditching the M3’s flared arches and oversized kidney grilles for a narrower, more understated look. Optional Porsche Brewster Green paint (£4,260) and gold GT-specific accents—wheels, badging, and decals—add subtle visual flair, though the performance isn’t immediately obvious to passersby.
Where the M3 Touring’s S58 straight-six produces 479 lb-ft of torque, the Alpina cranks out 538 lb-ft—enough to out-pull a Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae. Power remains at 522 bhp, identical to the M3, but the GT’s focus on long-distance comfort and autobahn cruising means it prioritizes mid-range grunt over outright track performance. Fuel economy suffers, with mixed driving likely returning mid-20s mpg at best.
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The engine’s character is notably different from BMW’s M cars. Startup is subdued, lacking the synthetic cabin roar of an M3, and the power delivery feels more organic. Throttle response is immediate, with the eight-speed ZF automatic rarely needing to downshift under part-throttle acceleration. Full-throttle pulls are relentless, particularly in fourth gear and beyond, where the GT’s extra torque becomes most apparent. Some testers have questioned whether the quoted 522 bhp is conservative—Alpina’s B5 GT was found to produce significantly more power than advertised, possibly to avoid overshadowing BMW’s M division.
Old-school luxury meets modern compromises
The interior leans into Alpina’s traditional luxury ethos, with near-ubiquitous leather (including a £1,450 Nappa leather instrument panel) and tasteful branding—from the center console plaque to the floor mats. The digital dash adopts Alpina’s signature color scheme and font, adding a touch of bespoke charm. Yet the underlying 3-series architecture remains unchanged, meaning the infotainment layout, build quality, and even the Harman Kardon sound system feel familiar rather than raised.
One notable omission is the lack of customizable drive modes via the steering wheel. The M3 Touring’s M1 and M2 buttons, which allow instant recall of saved settings, are absent here. The B3 GT’s all-wheel-drive system is similarly rear-biased and variable, but without the same level of on-the-fly adjustability. For some, this won’t matter; for others, it’s a missed opportunity in a car with such broad capabilities.
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On the road, the GT’s 20-inch wheels and 30-profile Pirelli tires betray its comfort-oriented mission. Over rough surfaces near Alpina’s UK headquarters, the ride feels stiff, with the low-profile rubber transmitting every imperfection. But on smoother roads, the chassis comes alive. The steering, while light on feedback, communicates enough to place the car precisely. Grip is strong even on modest 265/255-section tires, and the car rotates willingly under power, with seat-of-the-pants feedback helping to keep things in check.
The brakes, upgraded with perforated discs and Alpina-branded calipers, offer linear response and strong stopping power. They’re a highlight, though the oversized steering wheel—described as “the girth of a coke can”—is less so.
A GT for the long haul
Despite its performance credentials, the B3 GT shines as a grand tourer. A “Comfort Plus” mode softens the suspension, steering, and throttle response, transforming the car into a relaxed cruiser without losing its sense of purpose. The transmission remains smooth at everyday speeds, and the absence of artificial exhaust noise makes it far more refined than an M3 on a long drive.
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Pricing starts at £92,740—£3,305 more than the facelifted M3 Touring’s £89,435 base price. Options can quickly inflate the total: our test car, fitted with extras like a panoramic sunroof (£1,550) and the Driving Assistant Professional package (£2,000), stickered at £105,315. Unlike the limited-run B5 GT, the B3 GT isn’t officially capped in production, but Alpina’s uncertain future means it could become a rare sight.
With direct rivals nearly nonexistent, the B3 GT Touring stands alone—a final, finely tuned swan song for Alpina’s 3-series lineage. It may not have the M3’s visual drama, but it delivers where it counts: effortless speed, understated luxury, and a driving experience that’s as at home on the autobahn as it is on a winding B-road.
For those who’ve grown weary of the M3’s ubiquity, the B3 GT offers something different: a fast estate that’s equal parts muscle and maturity.
