The 2022 Alpina XD3 may be based on the updated BMW X3, but it’s a very different beast to that car’s M40i range-topper.
First Australian deliveries of the revised XD3 are due in late 2021, with prices starting at $119,900 before on-road costs.
That’s $5000 more than the pre-update model and $4000 more than an X3 M40i.
Unlike the M40i’s petrol inline-six, the XD3 uses a 3.0-litre inline-six twin-turbo diesel with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
Peak power is 261kW from 4000 to 4200rpm, while peak torque is 730Nm from 1750 to 2750 rpm.
That’s 22kW less than the M40i but 230Nm more. It’s also comparable to the turbo-diesel Audi SQ5 (251kW/700Nm).
The diesel meets all the harshest Euro 6d emissions standards, necessitating a particulate filter, SCR catalysts, and AdBlue.
The two turbos operate at lower and higher pressures respectively, recirculate exhaust waste gases, and use an Alpina-tuned bespoke cooling system.
A 48V starter-generator smooths out the stop/start, and its 8kW power output both lends poke to sharpen throttle response and allows the diesel engine is operate in an optimised load range more often, further improving efficiency.
The 2022 changes include a revised steering calibration said to be more precise and sensitive than before, higher-performing brake pads, and a Performance Control individual-wheel-braking system designed to mitigate understeer.
It also sports a slightly different kidney grille, new-look headlights and tail lights, plus redesigned bumpers front and rear.
Underneath the XD3’s restyled body are adaptive dampers that’ve been given specific Alpina treatment, as well as stiffer and shorter springs. The classic 20-inch wheels wear Pirelli P Zero Ultra-High Performance tyres (255/45 front and 285/40 rear) developed with help from Alpina’s engineering team.
You can option 22-inch rims with 255/35 front and 295/30 rear rubber.
Another performance option are the high-performance brakes including lightweight drilled composite discs measuring 395mm at the front and 398mm at the rear, said to offer greater direct pedal feedback and less fade.
Inside, Alpina’s saddlery “provides an almost unlimited range of interior features for the XD3: piping, stitching, embroidery, punching and embossing, made to customer specifications, add a personal touch to each BMW ALPINA automobile”.
Alpina calls the optional, untreated Lavalina leather upholstery “the most exquisite natural material used in the automotive industry”.
Pricing
- 2022 Alpina XD3: $119,900
Price excludes on-road costs.
Engines
The 2022 Alpina XD3 is powered by a 3.0-litre inline-six twin-turbo diesel with a 48V mild-hybrid system, which produces 261kW of power and 730Nm of torque.
It’s mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system.
The XD3 has a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds.
Fuel Economy
The 2022 Alpina XD3 uses 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle. It has a 68L fuel tank.
Dimensions
While dimensions for the XD3 aren’t available, they’re unlikely to be much different from the BMW X3 upon which it’s based. The 2022 BMW X3 measures 4708mm long, 1891mm wide and 1676mm tall, riding a 2864mm wheelbase.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2022 Alpina XD3 is covered by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
A pre-paid Service Inclusive plan is available and costs the same as the X3 M40i. The Basic plan costs $1950 for five years or 80,000km, whichever comes first.
Safety
The pre-facelift BMW X3 managed a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP in 2017, though technically that rating applies only to the xDrive20d and xDrive30i and not the M40i or the Alpina XD3.
In terms of category scores, the X3 managed 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 84 per cent for child occupant protection, 70 per cent for pedestrian detection and 58 per cent for safety assist.
The XD3 comes with BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional, which includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Steering and Lane Control Assistant (semi-autonomous mode)
- Lane-keep assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Evasion aid
- Traffic sign recognition
There’s also Parking Assistant Plus, which includes a surround-view camera with a 3D-view mode and rear parking sensors. Front, front-side and curtain airbags are also standard.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment on the XD3 includes:
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- DAB digital radio
- 16-speaker harman/kardon sound system
- Head-up display
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Dual-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting
- Comfort Access keyless entry and start
- Alpina stainless steel exhaust system
- Adaptive suspension
- Limited-slip differential
- Vernasca leather upholstery
- Sensatec-wrapped instrument panel
- Panoramic sunroof
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Automatic headlights
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Lavalina-wrapped steering wheel
- Power front sport seats with driver memory
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Options include:
- Merino leather upholstery
- Lavalina leather upholstery
- BMW drive Recorder
- Gesture control
- Rear backrest adjustment
- Heated rear seats
- Ventilated front seats
- BMW Laserlight
- Rear sunblinds
- High-performance brakes
- 22-inch alloy wheels
Colours
The XD3 comes standard with non-metallic Alpine White paint, though a range of premium paint finishes are optional. These include:
- Black Sapphire
- Phytonic Blue
- Sophisto Grey
- BMW Individual Tanzanite Blue II
The leather upholstery is available in Black, Mocha and Oyster with Black stitching. The optional M Sport seats additionally offer a choice of Cognac or Black with Blue stitching.
Click the images to view the full gallery.
MORE: Everything Alpina XD3
