Many consider the understated BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo the discreet man’s M3, and the comparison certainly makes sense when numbers are taken into account. Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine develops 404hp (410PS) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque, allowing for a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h) and a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint of 4.2 seconds.
As BMW Alpinas are very fast cars built for the road, how they ride an important factor. Chris Harris found the car’s suspension well sorted for UK’s bumpy roads, but couldn’t help noticing that an additional setting between Comfort and Sport would have made the car ride even better (that or dropping the adjustable dampers altogether).
However, it’s on the motorway where the B3 shows its full potential – which is normal since it’s a car made for the unrestricted Autobahn. Harris, who loved the engine’s response and sound, as well as the optional rear-locking differential that he put to the test on the track, rates the powertrain as superb.
The diff helps making the Alpina B3 very easy to drift, while the well-balanced chassis makes drifts very controllable. You didn’t think Harris would review a high-performance RWD BMW without some drifting, did you?
By Dan Mihalascu
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