Alpina D3 Touring review - pictures

The 345bhp Alpina D3 Touring estate is the closest you’ll get to a BMW M3 Touring.

<p class="p1">This car delivers its performance in a more refined manner than BMW’s lairy M car.</p>

<p class="p1">Alpina has ditched the small gearchange buttons it normally fits to the back of the steering wheel and retained the standard car’s paddles to operate the eight-speed Switchtronic <span class="s1">auto</span> gearbox.</p>

<p class="p1">The car uses the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel from the 335d, with new air intakes and a larger intercooler to boost power to 345bhp and raise torque to 700Nm.</p>

<p class="p1">The D3 is rear-wheel drive – whereas BMW’s 335d is now only offered with xDrive 4WD.</p>

<p class="p1">With plenty of grip on offer, very little body roll and communicative steering, it handles with the precision and accuracy of a small sports car.</p>

<p class="p1">The Alpina is a capable cruiser, and even when it’s fitted with 20-inch wheels, only the biggest potholes will unsettle the ride.</p>

<p class="p1">Alpina have included a plush interior with some bespoke touches and a long list of standard kit.</p>

<p class="p1">In a straight line, the D3 is astonishingly fast, with a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds</p>

<p class="p1">If driven economically this diesel sports car can return 50mpg economy.</p>

<p class="p1">The D3 Bi-Turbo is one of the most accomplished all-round sports cars you can buy.</p>