BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo achieves 107 HP per litre from a diesel engine
The first sport-diesel model – D3 from 2006 was delivering 200hp and over 850 units sold since its inception. The small displacement and high effectiveness make this engine extraordinary good according to fuel consumption and low emissions. Now to continue the tradition Alpina introduced a new even more powerful version of the power unit.
D3 Bi-Turbo is powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder bi-turbo engine developing 215 hp and 450 Nm from 2000 rpm. Really, an amazing achievement for diesel power unit. With its characteristics the small Bi-Turbo diesel is operating like V8 or a large-displacement six-cylinder one.
The transmission is developed by ZF and ALPINA and offers three driving modes: D – full automatic, S – Sport and M – manual.
More than a decade all diesel engines are turbo-charged, because of the higher efficiency. Lately, some of the are even equipped with two turbo-chargers like the engine in Alpina D3. It is based on BMW 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel with a block made entirely of aluminium. The highpressure, 2000 bar Bosch-Common Rail system ensures high efficiency by means of utilising Piezo injectors. Two differently-sized exhaust-driven turbo-chargers are helping the D3 Bi-Turbo. The smaller one start to operate instantly and delivers 400 Nm at 1 500 rpm. The peak torque of 450 Nm is achieved at 2 000 rpm. The second larger turbo-charger fully operates from about 3 000 rpm to deliver the maximum power of 214 hp. Thanks to optimal turbo-charger mapping and the fuel injection system the diesel revs up to 5 200 rpm, which is unthinkable for most of the diesel engines even nowadays.
The performance figures are outstanding – 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and top speed of 244 km/h (152mph) for the coupe and sedan versions. The touring is slightly slower - 7.2 seconds and 241 km/h (150 mph).
Another stunning thing about the D3 Bi-Turbo is it's fuel consumption – just 5.4 liters (6.0 for the automatic) of diesel per hundred kilometres (52.2 mpg and 47.0 for the automatic versions). The CO2 emissions are only 144 (159) g/km. Additionaly, all D3s are equipped with Start-Stop function, even the manual versions.
Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo stands on 18" ALPINA CLASSIC light-alloy wheels, which can be up-graded with an optional 19" wheel/tyre combination, available in either ALPINA CLASSIC or DYNAMIC wheel design. The front tires are 245/40 ZR18 and the rear are 265/40 ZR18. Of course, the tires don't have the useless Run-Flat technology so the weight and comfort are optimal.
The small fuel consumption, individual exterior and driving enjoyment makes Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo an excellent choice as an everyday car.
