Alpina XD3 to be biggest seller
Constrained by supply, the high-performance diesel based on the BMW X3 will still outsell other models in the Alpina rangeAlpina Automobiles Australia is just weeks away from commencing delivery of its latest addition to the range, but already the 245kW Alpina XD3 is shaping up to be the brand’s most popular model in the local market.
The prestige importer, selling its BMW-based models through local BMW dealers, has been pleasantly surprised by the level of buyer enthusiasm for the XD3 – not just in the form of expressions of interest, but actual deposits paid and contracts signed, according to Alpina’s local boss, Phil Jeffery.
Speaking with carsales on the occasion of the first media drive for the Alpina B5 Touring, Jeffrey said: “I would say that that’s the car that should give us a little kick along...”
“There’s no doubt it’s going to be our number one-selling car.”
Global head of Alpina, Andreas Bovensiepen simply observed that the XD3 would benefit from its niche position in the market and its keen pricing at $109,900.
“We try very hard to make a competitive price because Australia’s very competitive pricing, compared to Europe,” Bovensiepen remarked.
“You look at our marketplace,” Jeffery continued, “SUV-crazy, diesel-orientated, being the only performance SUV – medium-sized SUV – in the diesel space right now as well, [it’s] an incredible price point for our... product.”
Jeffery was unwilling to offer local sales projections for the XD3 but did reveal that “every dealer, nationally, at this point in time, is actively involved in pre-orders on XD3” and that “three of our five dealers have already taken pre-orders on XD3.”
The XD3 we’ll be seeing in Australia is powered by a twin-turbo diesel engine, rather than the quad-turbo engine available in left-hand drive markets. That means power reduced by around 40kW and torque downgraded by 70Nm to 700Nm for the locally-delivered model. Despite the lower output, however, performance remains sufficient for the XD3 to come within a tenth of a second (4.9 seconds) of the petrol-engined Porsche Macan Turbo for the 0-100km/h sprint.
Bovensiepen explained why Australian consumers won’t be offered the four-turbo version.
“Due to the steering column, it was not possible to make this four-turbo diesel engine in right-hand drive...”
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