Wagon lovers, rejoice! Alpina Automobiles has just confirmed that its all-new straight-six, turbocharged B3 Touring is set to land on Aussie shores within the coming year, and the only thing that’s better than that is the launch colour being green!
Based on the new G20 BMW 3 Series, the B3 packs some M3-level punch thanks to its 3.0-litre turbo six-pot (specifically, it’s dubbed the S58, for all the BMW nerds out there) which produces 340kW and 700Nm here. Worth noting is that the B3 is, in fact, the first 3 Series variant to get the new M3’s engine.
Backing this engine is the common ZF eight-speed automatic which Alpina has fitted with strengthened internals – however, all-wheel drive now features as standard, rather than the outgoing model’s rear-drive-only setup.
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Aside from the sexy wagon body style, the B3 has more of a comfort-biased focus than the related upcoming M3 meaning more softly-tuned adaptive dampers and Eibach springs. It will also feature a unique Comfort+ setting, too, which truly drives the point home.
In its Sport+ mode, however, Alpina claims the B3 will be able to achieve in excess of 300km/h, making it a perfect choice for places like the German autobahns. Alpina also notes that such a top speed should likely make it “the fastest estate car of its kind.”
No 0-100km/h time is claimed, however, as that’s rather a bovine thing to care about. We’d estimate, given the power and its all-wheel drive system, that it’ll be somewhere in the three-second bracket.
Two different wheel designs are available – Dynamic and the most recognisable Classic – in 19 and 20-inch sizes, which hide 395mm front and 345mm rear brakes behind them.
Inside, the standard 3 Series interior has been given some even nicer materials, different graphics in the digital gauge cluster, and a numbered build plate. Also worth mentioning, given its a wagon, is that its boot is a sizeable 500 litres with the rear seats up, and 1510 litres with them folded away.
Although full pricing and specifications for the Australian market are yet to be announced, at least we know that it’s coming here though, because as big fans of fast wagons here at Drive Section, the more the merrier, we say.
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