The new Alpina B3 saloon has officially arrived in Tokyo, marking the latest addition to the B3 lineup following the Touring estate model revealed earlier this year at the Frankfurt motor show.
Mechanically, the saloon is identical to the Touring, though Alpina claims the difference in body style has yielded tangible results on the track. The lower weight and centre of gravity have helped the saloon achieve 62mph in 3.8 seconds, a 0.1-second improvement over the estate. It also reaches 124mph in 13.4 seconds, 0.5 seconds faster than the Touring, while the top speed has crept up to 187mph.
Power comes from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six producing 455bhp between 5,000 and 7,000 rpm, accompanied by 516 lb ft of torque between 3,000 and 4,250 rpm.
The engine uses an “S58” designation, the same unit that will power next year’s BMW M3 and currently resides in the X3 and X4 Ms. Power is routed through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission to a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
Alpina notes that the B3 does not offer a dedicated rear-wheel-drive mode, unlike some competitors, and relies on the standard-width body rather than the substantial chassis upgrades likely to feature on the M3.
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The new B3 uses an M Sport-bodied 3-series as its base, with Alpina’s front skirt and rear valance applied to more open and aggressive bumpers. This modification is likely driven by cooling requirements, as standard 3-series bumpers no longer feature the outer intakes found on older models.
Rear styling includes quad exhaust pipes, a lip spoiler, and optional decal packs. The front end shares a similar nose with the upcoming M3, featuring the larger kidney grille associated with the M4. A retro five-spoke 19-inch wheel completes the exterior, with a traditional multi-spoke 20-inch design available as an option.
Inside, the B3 receives Alpina’s usual updates, including bespoke stitching and gearshift paddles. The standard digital instrument cluster now features a distinctive blue hue.
UK pricing and specifications have not been released yet. The first models are not expected to reach customers until mid-next year, just before the new M3 goes on sale.
While the B3 shares the S58 engine with the M3, the differences in chassis tuning and drivetrain mode selection suggest the two vehicles will remain distinct despite their mechanical similarities. The saloon’s reliance on the standard-width body and lack of a dedicated RWD mode also highlights the separation between Alpina’s tuning approach and BMW’s own performance division.
