Alpina details product rollout

BMW tuner Alpina Automobiles has disclosed its future model rollout plans, with the new-generation 3 Series-based B3 to touch down late next year, followed by a version of the X7 and possibly even a B8 Gran Coupe based on the new 8 Series.

The niche car-maker is bringing a pair of new models to Australia in the second half of 2019: the B5 Touring – the only BMW wagon available with a V8 engine – and the X3-based XD3, which the brand expects to be a hit in the Australian market.

Alpina CEO Andreas Bovensiepen told GoAuto the next Alpina model to arrive in Australia following the B5 Touring would be the all-new B3, following on the heels of the seventh-generation 3 Series that was launched Down Under in March.

“BMW has just presented the new 3 Series, so of course we are working on a follow-up B3 and B3 Touring, which will come into market next summer,” he said.

“Homologation takes a little more time for Australia, so I would expect to have the car here in the fall (Q3 2020).”

No details are yet available on the powertrain, but a twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder is the most likely starter, and should come with slightly higher performance than the outgoing version, which produced 324kW/660Nm.

The B3 sedan and Touring made up part of Alpina’s initial launch range when it arrived in Australia in November 2016, and will become the first model in Australia to score a second generation.

As reported, Alpina will turn its hand to the X7 flagship upper-large SUV, creating the second SUV in the Alpina portfolio after the XD3.

However, Mr Bovensiepen said the launch of the X7 will be pushed out to beyond the initial target date of 2020, with a likely release in 2021.

He confirmed that the X7 would be powered by a petrol engine to suit the American market, leading to a likely name of XB7.

The XB7 should score the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 as the B7 and B5, which Alpina tunes to 447kW – just shy of the M5 Competition’s 460kW – and a meaty 800Nm of torque, which bests the M5’s figure by 50kW.

Mr Bovensiepen shot down the possibility of an Alpina-badged X5, saying the existence of the X5 M and X5 M50d, along with Alpina offering an X3 and X7, meant that the company had no plans to do its own take on the popular large SUV.

GoAuto also understands Alpina is working on producing a replacement for the B6 Gran Coupe which saw some success in America. This will be in the form of the new 8 Series Gran Coupe four-door coupe-style sedan.

There is no timing yet for the B8 Gran Coupe, and Australian sales have not been confirmed.

Mr Bovensiepen said the plan for Alpina Australia was not to bring every available model here, but rather the ones that would fit the market.

“ We have to sort out, is the car important for the market here, what do we expect concerning sales volume, and then we have to decide because we have certain development costs for this market here, and of course we would like to earn money on it so we have to decide,” he said.

“So for example, we have no D5 (diesel-powered 5 Series) here in the market. We are in close contact with Phil (Jeffrey, Alpina Automobiles Australia sales manager) and his team and we discuss which price point for example is a certain car here.

“In Europe there is a big difference price-wise, so Australia is very, very competitive price-wise. So, some cars that will work in Europe will not work here because it’s so competitive.”