Alpina XD3 and XD7 coming to Australia

ALPINA Automobiles Australia has confirmed that the BMW X3-based XD3 performance SUV will be offered Down Under next year, while its own version of the X7 seven seater is also coming as the company ramps up its rollout of high-riding models.

 

Speaking with Australian journalists at the launch of the 5 Series-based B5 sedan in Melbourne this week, Alpina CEO and son of the company’s founder, Andreas Bovensiepen confirmed that the company will eventually offer its own version of the imminent X7 large seven-seat SUV to add to its current line-up that includes models based on the 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series and X3 SUV.

 

“Of course this vehicle is in the development phase,” he said. “I mentioned before when we develop a new Alpina model out of BMW model, we need at least two years to do so. This is still a car (for) 2020. It is not coming up in the short term.”

 

Mr Bovensiepen said that Alpina’s version of the X7 would be well received in the United States – one of its top three markets by sales, alongside Germany and Japan – as well as Australia.

 

“It would be very important for the American market as well, but we now have B7 in America and B6 Gran Coupe – we don’t have B3 or B4 in America because it is a very competitive market price wise and the dollar was quite weak against the Euro.

 

“It is quite difficult to make money on B3/B4 in America. That’s why we have concentrated on B7 and B6 Gran Coupe but in the future of course, the X7 would be a very nice car for the American market as well. And of course for Australia.”

 

Timing for the X7-based Alpina model is not known, however BMW is expected to reveal the production model late this year, so a 2020 launch for the Alpina sounds about right.

 

Powertrain details are also unclear, but previous international reports have confirmed that Alpina has registered the XD7 name in European patent applications.

 

Alpina Automobiles product manager and head of the Australian market, Thomas Cornu, confirmed that the hi-po XD3 diesel-powered mid-size SUV was definitely coming to Australia at the start of 2019.

 

“We are planning to get the X3 at the beginning of next year. It will be a diesel. We have two engines. One engine for left-hand drive – it is a (quad) turbocharger in X3 – and we have one engine for right-hand drive X3, which will obviously be available in Australia. It is a bi-turbo engine, 3.0-litre 333hp (245kW) and 700Nm.”

 

Revealed ahead of this year’s Geneva motor show, the XD3 can complete the 0-100km/h dash in 4.9 seconds and carry on to a top speed of 254km/h. 

 

It will likely compete with other go-fast mid-size SUVs, including the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and 63, Jaguar F-Pace S, Audi’s SQ5, Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV and the Porsche Macan.

 

It will also compete against BMW’s own X3 M that is expected to be revealed later this year and will likely pack a punch from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbocharged unit that is rumoured to pump out about 335kW.

 

The mechanically related XD4 coupe-style SUV – based on BMW’s X4 – will not be offered in Australia as it is only built in left-hand-drive configuration.

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