Performance Review: BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Alpina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo is the 6 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular BMW Alpina has a 2979cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Alpina shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Alpina's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1570 kgs (3461 lbs) this makes the BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Alpina shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 2979cc 24V St6 engine produces 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Twin Turbo St6 throws out 368 lb-ft (498.9 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW Alpina you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (254.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Alpina.

The BMW Alpina has a Power to weight ratio of 229.2 bhp per ton and 234.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Alpina competing with the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (254.2 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (254.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW Alpina generating around 234.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (259.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 BMW 4 Series M4 (258.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs). This BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Alpina and the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp

When talking about the performance of the BMW Alpina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.61 secs @ 100.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (13.55 secs), the 2012 Audi A4 S4 3.0L V6 Supercharged (13.56 secs), and the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (13.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Alpina equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Alpina Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison