Fast Alpina D3 S diesel sedan and wagon unleashed

Alpina has launched a new diesel-powered performance sedan and wagon based on the latest G20-generation BMW 3 Series, the 2020 Alpina D3 S.

Based on the BMW M340d xDrive now available in Europe, the heavily modified Alpina coaxes BMW's 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder twin-turbo diesel to produce a punchy 261kW of power and a herculean 730Nm of torque – that's 11kW and 30Nm more than the car it's based on.

To extract the extra power and torque, Alpina added new intercoolers, reflashed the ECU, uprated the cooling system and added a freer-flowing exhaust

Mirroring the M340d, the Alpina D3 S comes with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system and a tweaked version of its eight-speed automatic transmission.

Performance for the sedan is impressive, with the replacement for the Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo capable of topping 273km/h and sprinting from rest to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds -- matching its predecessor, which was billed as the world's fastest diesel production car.

Featuring BMW's 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, which includes a start-generator that can assist the 3.0-litre engine at low revs and recoup energy more quickly, the powerful Alpina D3 S achieves WLTP-verified fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle.

Like its petrol-powered Alpina B3 sibling, the D3 S comes with a bespoke suspension set-up that features a set of adaptive dampers, uprated Eibach springs, bigger and more powerful brakes, a new electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and retuned power steering.

Boosting stability, the standard M340d's front and rear tracks have also been widened.

For those who enjoy driving their car on track, or regularly travel at high speed, Alpina says it will also offer the high-performance brake package from its flagship 330km/h B5 that includes lighter drilled discs and more heat-resistant pads.

Externally, like the B3, the Alpina D3 S upgrades are subtle. There's a modest body kit, deeper front splitter, wider side skirts and a slightly more pronounced rear diffuser.

As standard, it sits on 19-inch wheels, although larger 20-inch rims are also available and claimed to shave up to 14kg off the kerb weight.

Inside, like the rest of the Alpina range, the D3 S can be tailored to the owner's individual tastes, via high-grade leathers, woods and levels of craftsmanship normally found on vehicles costing 10 times its price.

Speaking of pricing, in its native Germany the Alpina D3 S sedan will be priced from €70,500 ($A118,000) with the wagon version costing €71,900 ($A120,500).

Sadly, Alpina has no plans to sell the D3 S into Australia, where it has seven dealers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Doncaster, Bundoora, Adelaide and Perth.

"For Australia our focus will remain on launching the B3 Sedan and Touring, which are still on track for a third-quarter arrival this year," said a spokesman for Alpina Australia.

"With BMW itself rationalising diesel from the passenger range in this country, we won't be seeing the D3 S in Australia."

However, it's possible we'll see the M340d xDrive's buxom 250kW/700Nm mild-hybrid twin-turbo diesel six in the BMW X3 and X4 and, eventually, the X3-based Alpina XD3.