Which Alpina B3 Version Should You Buy?
The Alpina B3 data supports several distinct choices rather than one universally best version. The 1987–1992 2.7 MT is the simplest specification, with 204 hp and a five-speed Manual gearbox. The 1993–1999 and 1999–2006 cars provide naturally aspirated 3.0-, 3.2-, 3.3-, and 3.4-liter alternatives with Manual or Automatic transmissions.
The Alpina B3 data supports several distinct choices rather than one universally best version. The 1987–1992 2.7 MT is the simplest specification, with 204 hp and a five-speed Manual gearbox. The 1993–1999 and 1999–2006 cars provide naturally aspirated 3.0-, 3.2-, 3.3-, and 3.4-liter alternatives with Manual or Automatic transmissions. The 2007–2013 generation introduces turbocharged 3.0 AT versions with as much as 408 hp, while the 2013–2017 and 2017–2019 sedans raise output to 410 hp and 440 hp. For maximum acceleration, the 2019-on Estate 5-door is the strongest candidate: both 3.0 AT versions produce 462 hp and 700 Nm, with 0–100 km/h times of 3.8 or 3.9 seconds.
Alpina B3 generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from 1987 to 1992 as a Cabrio with three listed versions, all named 2.7 MT. Each has a 2693 cc Gasoline, Inline six-cylinder engine producing 204 hp and 265 Nm, a five-speed Manual gearbox, and either RWD or AWD. Depending on the listed version, 0–100 km/h takes 7.1 or 7.5 seconds and top speed is 224 or 227 km/h.
The second generation ran from 1993 to 1999 as a Cabrio with 15 versions in the data. Buyers can choose 3.0 AT, 3.0 MT, 3.2 AT, or 3.2 MT specifications. Output rises from 250 hp and 320 Nm in the 2997 cc versions to 265 hp and 330 Nm in the 3152 cc versions. All are RWD, while gearbox choices extend from four- and five-speed Automatic units to five- and six-speed Manual transmissions.
The third generation, produced from 1999 to 2006, is listed as a Coupe with 13 versions. Its naturally aspirated choices are the 3.3 MT and 3.3 AT with 280 hp and 335 Nm, and the 3.4 MT and 3.4 AT with 305 hp and 362 Nm. RWD and AWD appear in the 3.3-liter listings, while the 3.4-liter versions shown are RWD. Depending on version, transmissions have five or six speeds.
The fourth generation ran from 2007 to 2013 as a Cabrio with 13 versions. Its turbocharged 3.0 AT specifications develop 360 hp and 500 Nm, 400 hp and 540 Nm, or 408 hp and 540 Nm. Every listed version uses a six-speed Automatic gearbox; both RWD and AWD are available.
The fifth generation initially ran from 2013 to 2017 as a Sedan with four listed versions. Every 3.0 AT produces 410 hp and 600 Nm from 2979 cc, paired with an eight-speed Automatic gearbox. RWD and AWD variants are represented. The 2017–2019 restyling remains part of this generation and retains the Sedan body, but its four 3.0 AT versions increase output to 440 hp and 660 Nm. That is a gain of 30 hp and 60 Nm over the earlier fifth-generation cars.
The sixth generation starts in 2019 and is an Estate 5-door with two 3.0 AT versions. Both deliver 462 hp and 700 Nm from 2993 cc through an eight-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD. Compared with the restyled fifth generation, they add 22 hp and 40 Nm while introducing the estate body shown in the data.
Alpina B3 engine and transmission specs
| Generation and years | Exact version | Engine specification | Output | Fuel | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First, 1987–1992 | 2.7 MT | 2693 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 204 hp, 265 Nm | 95 | 5-speed Manual | RWD or AWD |
| Second, 1993–1999 | 3.0 AT | 2997 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 250 hp, 320 Nm | 95 | 4- or 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, 1993–1999 | 3.0 MT | 2997 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 250 hp, 320 Nm | 95 | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second, 1993–1999 | 3.2 AT | 3152 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 265 hp, 330 Nm | 95 | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, 1993–1999 | 3.2 MT | 3152 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 265 hp, 330 Nm | 95 | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third, 1999–2006 | 3.3 MT | 3300 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 280 hp, 335 Nm | 95 | 6-speed Manual | RWD or AWD |
| Third, 1999–2006 | 3.3 AT | 3300 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 280 hp, 335 Nm | 98 | 5-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Third, 1999–2006 | 3.4 MT | 3346 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 305 hp, 362 Nm | 95 | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third, 1999–2006 | 3.4 AT | 3346 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, No boost | 305 hp, 362 Nm | 95 | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, 2007–2013 | 3.0 AT (360 hp) | 2979 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, Turbo | 360 hp, 500 Nm | 98 | 6-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Fourth, 2007–2013 | 3.0 AT (400 hp) | 2997 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, Turbo | 400 hp, 540 Nm | 95 | 6-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Fourth, 2007–2013 | 3.0 AT (408 hp) | 2979 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, Turbo | 408 hp, 540 Nm | 98 | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth, 2013–2017 | 3.0 AT (410 hp) | 2979 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, Turbo | 410 hp, 600 Nm | 98 | 8-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Fifth restyling, 2017–2019 | 3.0 AT (440 hp) | 2979 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, Turbo | 440 hp, 660 Nm | 98 | 8-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Sixth, 2019–on | 3.0 AT (462 hp) | 2993 cc, 6 cylinders, Inline, Turbo | 462 hp, 700 Nm | 98 | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
Power per liter clarifies the scale of the changes. The first-generation 2.7 MT produces approximately 75.8 hp per liter. The second-generation 3.2 versions reach approximately 84.1 hp per liter, while the third-generation 3.4 MT and 3.4 AT deliver approximately 91.2 hp per liter. Turbocharging moves the fourth-generation 3.0 AT (408 hp) to approximately 137.0 hp per liter. The fifth-generation 3.0 AT (410 hp) produces approximately 137.6 hp per liter, the restyled 3.0 AT (440 hp) approximately 147.7 hp per liter, and the sixth-generation 3.0 AT (462 hp) approximately 154.4 hp per liter.
Alpina B3 performance and fuel economy
The first-generation 2.7 MT takes 7.1–7.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h and has a top speed of 224–227 km/h. Fuel consumption is not measured.
In the second generation, measured Manual performance ranges from 6.8 seconds and 250 km/h for one 3.0 MT to 5.9 seconds and 260 km/h for a 3.2 MT. Some 3.0 AT and 3.2 AT acceleration and top-speed figures are not measured. Fuel consumption is not measured for every second-generation version.
The third-generation 3.4 MT and 3.4 AT record 5.8 seconds to 100 km/h and 266 km/h. Their measured consumption is 16.4 l/100 km in the city, 8.0 l/100 km on the highway, and 11.1 l/100 km combined. The 3.3 versions range from 6.1 to 7.2 seconds and 251 to 262 km/h. Measured combined consumption ranges from 11.1 to 11.9 l/100 km.
Among fourth-generation cars, the 3.0 AT (408 hp) is quickest at 4.5 seconds and reaches 300 km/h; its consumption is 13.7 l/100 km city, 7.2 l/100 km highway, and 9.6 l/100 km combined. The 3.0 AT (360 hp) variants take 4.8–5.0 seconds, reach 280–285 km/h, and consume 9.7–10.2 l/100 km combined where measured. The 3.0 AT (400 hp) variants take 4.8–4.9 seconds; top speed and fuel consumption are not measured.
The 2013–2017 3.0 AT (410 hp) takes 4.0–4.3 seconds and reaches 302–305 km/h. Combined consumption ranges from 7.6 to 8.0 l/100 km. The 2017–2019 3.0 AT (440 hp) takes 4.0–4.3 seconds and reaches 298–306 km/h, with combined consumption of 9.1–9.2 l/100 km. The 2019-on 3.0 AT (462 hp) takes 3.8 or 3.9 seconds, reaches 303 or 300 km/h, and consumes 13.2 l/100 km city, 7.9 l/100 km highway, and 9.8 l/100 km combined.
Alpina B3 dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheels
Exterior dimensions are not measured for any listed generation, so no length, width, or height comparison can be made from this data.
The first-generation 2.7 MT has a kerb weight and gross weight that are not measured, 125 mm of ground clearance, an unmeasured tank capacity, and unmeasured wheel sizes.
Second-generation kerb weight is 1330 kg where measured, gross weight is 1850 kg, and ground clearance is 110 or 125 mm where measured. Tank capacity is 65 liters, while listed wheel sizes are 235/40 R17 and 265/35 R17.
Third-generation kerb weight ranges from 1525 to 1620 kg where measured, gross weight from 1950 to 2400 kg, and ground clearance is 110 mm. Tank capacity is 60 or 63 liters. Listed wheel sizes are 225/40 R18 and 255/35 R18.
Fourth-generation measured kerb weight ranges from 1560 to 1770 kg, gross weight from 2040 to 2200 kg, and clearance from 128 to 140 mm. Every listed version has a 63-liter tank. Where measured, wheel sizes are 245/40 R18 and 265/40 R18.
The 2013–2017 fifth-generation cars weigh 1610–1745 kg at the kerb and 2160–2295 kg gross. Clearance is 110 mm, the tank holds 60 liters, and wheel sizes are 245/30 R20 and 265/30 R20. The 2017–2019 restyled cars weigh 1705–1845 kg at the kerb and 2190–2320 kg gross; clearance is not measured, while the 60-liter tank and the same listed wheel sizes remain.
The sixth-generation 3.0 AT versions weigh 1785 or 1865 kg at the kerb and 2400 or 2490 kg gross. Ground clearance is not measured. Both have a 59-liter tank and 255/35 R19 and 265/35 R19 wheels. Weight per horsepower is approximately 3.86 kg/hp for the 1785 kg version and 4.04 kg/hp for the 1865 kg version.
Which Alpina B3 version should you choose?
For the strongest performance, choose the sixth-generation 3.0 AT (462 hp) with the 1785 kg kerb weight. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and 303 km/h, making it 0.1 second quicker and 3 km/h faster than the 1865 kg 3.0 AT (462 hp). Both otherwise share 700 Nm, AWD, an eight-speed Automatic gearbox, and 9.8 l/100 km combined consumption.
For the highest listed top speed, choose the restyled fifth-generation 3.0 AT (440 hp), RWD, with a 1705 kg kerb weight. It reaches 306 km/h, although its 4.3-second acceleration time is slower than the 4.0-second AWD 3.0 AT (440 hp). The RWD version is 75 kg lighter and uses 0.1 l/100 km less combined fuel, while the AWD version reaches 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner.
For the lowest measured combined fuel consumption, choose the 2013–2017 3.0 AT (410 hp), RWD, with a 1610 kg kerb weight. It records 7.6 l/100 km combined, accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, and reaches 305 km/h. The AWD alternative with a 1680 kg kerb weight uses 7.9 l/100 km but cuts the acceleration time to 4.0 seconds.
For a naturally aspirated engine and maximum output within the pre-turbo generations, choose a third-generation 3.4 MT or 3.4 AT. Both produce 305 hp and 362 Nm, reach 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, and attain 266 km/h. The decision between them is chiefly transmission choice: six-speed Manual or five-speed Automatic.
For the simplest older specification, choose the first-generation 2.7 MT. Its 2693 cc engine produces 204 hp and 265 Nm through a five-speed Manual gearbox. However, kerb weight, gross weight, tank capacity, wheel sizes, and fuel consumption are not measured, so it cannot be compared comprehensively with the later cars on economy or mass.