BMW tuning specialist, Alpina, has introduced a high-power, lightweight 3 Series diesel coupé.
The tuner has taken the engine from the
BMW 123d, increased power to 214bhp and torque to 332lb.ft before installing it in the 3 Series Coupé body. The low weight of the four-cylinder diesel and Alpina's other weight saving measures mean that the D3 Bi-Turbo Coupé weighs 1,466kg compared with 1,600kg for the 330d coupé.
Alpina's performance figures suggest that the D3 isn't quite as fast as the 330d, but fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions are much more attractive. The D3 should do the 0-62mph sprint in 6.9 seconds and maximum speed is 152mph; with manual transmission 52.3mpg is possible and CO
2 emissions are 143g/km. The manual 330d is rated at 160g/km and 46.3mpg.
This year just one hundred buyers will take delivery of the D3 coupé, which costs £32,950 in manual form and £34,540 for the automatic model.
John Lambert - 5 Aug 2008
