Alpina XD3: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Alpina XD3 choice comes down to three specifications of the same 3.0 AT powertrain. The first-generation and restyled first-generation models have 350 hp and 700 Nm, the second generation raises output to 388 hp and 770 Nm, and the restyled second generation reaches 394 hp and 800 Nm.

The Alpina XD3 choice comes down to three specifications of the same 3.0 AT powertrain. The first-generation and restyled first-generation models have 350 hp and 700 Nm, the second generation raises output to 388 hp and 770 Nm, and the restyled second generation reaches 394 hp and 800 Nm. On the supplied figures, the 2018–2021 3.0 AT offers the strongest balance: it matches the later model’s 4.6-second 0–100 km/h time and 267 km/h top speed while weighing 100 kg less and using 0.2 L/100 km less on the combined cycle. Choose the restyled second generation for its additional torque and measured 204 mm ground clearance; choose the first generation for lower stated fuel consumption and a lighter 1,910 kg kerb weight. Price, interior equipment, engine code, reliability, problems, and availability are not provided, so they cannot decide this comparison.

Alpina XD3 generations: what changed?

The first-generation Alpina XD3 was produced from 2012 to 2014 as an SUV 5-doors, with one version named 3.0 AT. Its turbocharged 2,993 cc Diesel engine produces 350 hp at 4,000 rpm and 700 Nm at 1,500–3,000 rpm. This model has an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, reaches 253 km/h, and has a 1,910 kg kerb weight.

The first-generation restyling ran from 2014 to 2017, again as an SUV 5-doors with one 3.0 AT version. Its main listed outputs are unchanged at 350 hp, 700 Nm, 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h, and 253 km/h. Kerb weight also remains 1,910 kg, while the supplied data adds a measured 190 mm ground-clearance figure and wheel sizes of 255/40 R20 and 285/35 R20. The original model’s clearance and wheel sizes are not measured, so no direct numerical improvement can be claimed.

The second-generation Alpina XD3 was produced from 2018 to 2021 as an SUV 5-doors, with one version named 3.0 AT. Output rises to 388 hp at 4,000–5,000 rpm and 770 Nm at 1,750–3,000 rpm. Compared with either first-generation specification, that is an increase of 38 hp and 70 Nm. The 0–100 km/h time falls by 0.3 seconds to 4.6 seconds, while top speed rises by 14 km/h to 267 km/h. Its kerb weight increases by 135 kg to 2,045 kg.

The restyled second generation has been listed from 2021, with no stop date provided. It remains an SUV 5-doors with one 3.0 AT version. Power reaches 394 hp at 4,000–5,000 rpm, while torque rises to 800 Nm at 1,750–3,000 rpm. Against the preceding second generation, the gains are 6 hp and 30 Nm, but the quoted performance figures remain 4.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 267 km/h. Kerb weight rises by 100 kg to 2,145 kg.

Alpina XD3 engine and specs comparison

Every listed 3.0 AT uses a front, longitudinal 2,993 cc Diesel engine with 6 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, and Turbo boost. Every version also has an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD. The bore and stroke are 84 × 90 throughout.

Generation and versionPowerTorqueDisplacementFuelCylinders and layoutBoostGearboxDrive
First generation, 3.0 AT350 hp / 257 kW700 Nm2,993 ccDiesel6 InlineTurbo8-speed AutomaticAWD
First-generation restyling, 3.0 AT350 hp / 257 kW700 Nm2,993 ccDiesel6 InlineTurbo8-speed AutomaticAWD
Second generation, 3.0 AT388 hp / 285 kW770 Nm2,993 ccDiesel6 InlineTurbo8-speed AutomaticAWD
Second-generation restyling, 3.0 AT394 hp / 289 kW800 Nm2,993 ccDiesel6 InlineTurbo8-speed AutomaticAWD

Using the listed 2.993-litre displacement, the first-generation 3.0 AT specifications produce about 116.9 hp per litre. The second-generation 3.0 AT produces about 129.6 hp per litre, and the restyled second-generation 3.0 AT reaches about 131.6 hp per litre. The latest specification therefore has the highest output per litre, although its extra power over the preceding version is modest.

Compression ratio is not measured for the original first-generation 3.0 AT. It is 16.5 for the restyled first-generation version and 16 for both second-generation versions.

Alpina XD3 performance, fuel economy and emissions

Generation and version0–100 km/hTop speedCityHighwayCombinedCO₂Emissions class
First generation, 3.0 AT4.9 s253 km/h7.3 L/100 km6.2 L/100 km6.6 L/100 kmnot measuredEuro 5
First-generation restyling, 3.0 AT4.9 s253 km/h7.3 L/100 km6.2 L/100 km6.6 L/100 km174 g/kmnot measured
Second generation, 3.0 AT4.6 s267 km/h7.8 L/100 km6.3 L/100 km6.9 L/100 km183 g/kmEuro 6
Second-generation restyling, 3.0 AT4.6 s267 km/h8.3 L/100 km6.4 L/100 km7.1 L/100 km187 g/kmEuro 6

The first-generation specifications have the lowest stated consumption: 6.6 L/100 km combined, compared with 6.9 L/100 km for the second generation and 7.1 L/100 km for its restyling. Moving from the first-generation 3.0 AT to the 388 hp second-generation version adds 38 hp, reduces the 0–100 km/h time by 0.3 seconds, and raises top speed by 14 km/h, at a combined-consumption increase of 0.3 L/100 km.

The 394 hp restyled second-generation 3.0 AT consumes 0.5 L/100 km more combined than the first-generation models. Compared with the 388 hp second-generation version, it adds 6 hp and 30 Nm, while city consumption rises by 0.5 L/100 km, highway consumption by 0.1 L/100 km, and combined consumption by 0.2 L/100 km. Its CO₂ figure is also 4 g/km higher. Because its stated acceleration and top speed do not improve, those extra outputs do not produce a measurable advantage in the supplied headline performance figures.

Alpina XD3 weight, clearance, tank and wheel sizes

Generation and versionKerb weightGross weightWeight per hpGround clearanceTankWheel sizes
First generation, 3.0 AT1,910 kg2,440 kg5.46 kg/hpnot measured67 Lnot measured
First-generation restyling, 3.0 AT1,910 kg2,440 kg5.46 kg/hp190 mm67 L255/40 R20; 285/35 R20
Second generation, 3.0 AT2,045 kg2,550 kg5.27 kg/hpnot measured68 L255/45 R20; 285/40 R20
Second-generation restyling, 3.0 AT2,145 kg2,580 kg5.44 kg/hp204 mm68 L255/45 R20; 285/40 R20

The 388 hp second-generation 3.0 AT has the best calculated weight-to-power result at about 5.27 kg per hp. The 394 hp restyling is more powerful, but its extra 100 kg raises the ratio to about 5.44 kg per hp, almost matching the first generation’s 5.46 kg per hp. This helps explain why the listed acceleration figure stays at 4.6 seconds despite the later model’s additional 6 hp.

Gross weight rises from 2,440 kg in both first-generation specifications to 2,550 kg in the second generation and 2,580 kg after its restyling. Fuel-tank capacity increases by 1 L, from 67 L to 68 L, with the move to the second generation.

Only two ground-clearance figures are available. The restyled first generation measures 190 mm, while the restyled second generation measures 204 mm, a difference of 14 mm. Ground clearance for the original first generation and the non-restyled second generation is not measured.

Which Alpina XD3 version should you buy?

For the strongest all-round numerical case, choose the second-generation 3.0 AT with 388 hp and 770 Nm. It provides the same 4.6-second acceleration and 267 km/h top speed as the 394 hp restyling, yet it is 100 kg lighter, uses 0.2 L/100 km less combined, and emits 4 g/km less CO₂. Its approximately 5.27 kg per hp is also the best calculated weight-per-power figure in the range.

Choose the first-generation or restyled first-generation 3.0 AT if fuel consumption and lower mass matter more than maximum performance. Both combine 350 hp, 700 Nm, a 1,910 kg kerb weight, and 6.6 L/100 km combined consumption. The restyling is easier to compare from catalogue data because it includes measured 190 mm clearance, specified wheel sizes, and 174 g/km CO₂; the corresponding missing figures for the original model are not measured.

Choose the restyled second-generation 3.0 AT if the priorities are the highest listed outputs and the greatest measured clearance. It has 394 hp, 800 Nm, and 204 mm of ground clearance. Against the preceding second-generation model, however, the extra output comes with 100 kg more kerb weight and no listed improvement in acceleration or top speed.

No evidence-based recommendation can be made here about Alpina XD3 price, vehicles for sale, interior differences, engine codes, reliability, or common problems because those details are not present in the supplied data. On specifications alone, the 388 hp second-generation 3.0 AT is the performance-and-efficiency choice, the 350 hp first-generation 3.0 AT specifications are the consumption-and-weight choices, and the 394 hp restyled second-generation 3.0 AT is the maximum-output choice.