2009 BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo review and pictures
ALPINA presents the new BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo, a model that is powered by a BMW 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine with an aluminum block. It can produce 214 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. After a lot of testing and extensive development work, the turbo charger was improved. The smooth power delivery can be further enhanced with the optional ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC automatic transmission that sends the power to the wheels. The model uses a suspension technology that has received rave reviews from the press. It features excellent rigidity and five-arm rear suspension that help a lot improve the driving dynamics. The ALPINA CLASSIC tires and wheels were weight-optimized to provide exact steering and great feedback.
The BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo continues the success story which the popular D3 sports diesel began in 2006.
The new unit now offering 214hp at 4100rpm and initially only available in the Coupé, can now be enjoyed in the new Saloon or Touring. An even smoother power delivery, increased torque (450Nm) and the availability of an automatic transmission increase the all-round potential of the D3 Bi-Turbo even further.
State-of-the-art diesel technology, diesel particle filter, auto start-stop (manual only) and brake energy regeneration all combine to make the D3 Bi-Turbo the most efficient diesel in its performance class!
Powertrain
The D3 Bi-Turbo’s underpinnings are provided by a BMW 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine with an aluminium block. A Bosch common rail high-pressure injection system running at 2,000 bar and utilising Piezo injectors ensures maximum efficiency.
Two turbochargers of different sizes force-feed the engine. The smaller of the two provides boost from tick-over and helps the four-cylinder yield an impressive 400Nm (295lb-ft) of torque at 1500rpm, reaching a peak torque of 450Nm (332lb-ft) at a mere 2000rpm. The larger turbocharger is fully engaged from approximately 3000rpm onwards, enabling the engine to reach a peak performance of 214hp.
Extensive development work and thousands` of miles of testing have resulted in optimised turbo charger and fuel injection system mapping. The new D3 Bi-Turbo unit revs freely up to 5200rpm, while most diesel aggregates today don`t even contemplate going past 4500rpm.
The exceptionally smooth power delivery can be further enhanced with the optional ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC automatic transmission, providing the freedom of manually selecting gears utilising buttons on the back of the steering wheel.
Chassis & Suspension
The D3 Bi-Turbo uses suspension technology quite similar to the BMW ALPINA B3 Bi-Turbo, an automobile whose suspension and chassis set-up has received rave reviews from the press. Excellent rigidity and five-arm rear suspension provide ALPINA great potential for the highest levels of driving dynamics
The strut and spring calibration is appropriately sporty, matching the D3’s character. Thanks to the low kerb weight, extraordinarily agile and lightfooted handling has been achieved. The standard low ratio tyres and weight-optimised ALPINA CLASSIC light-alloy wheels yield outstandingly exact steering and great feedback.
