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Alpina XD3 Bi-Turbo offers facelifted looks, diesel-powered 4.9-sec 0-62 sprint [w/video]

I've always thought it would be fascinating to look at the psychographic data of Alpina's customer base. While the company's high-zoot rendition of BMW 7 and 5 Series sedans makes plenty of sense, I don't quite understand the appeal of the still-expensive tunes, further down the range. Enter the European-only Alpina XD3 Bi-Turbo, which made its debut here in Geneva today. The XD3 has been around for a bit, but this year it's refreshed to coincide with the BMW X3's own nip-tuck. The result is essentially a new front and back fascia on the same, ginormous Alpina wheels that make the brand's products instantly recognizable. For anyone that covets huge diesel performance in a small SUV-shaped package, that's a good thing. The XD3 pushes a whopping 516 pound-feet of torque and 345 horsepower out of its 3.0-liter, biturbo sixer, all good for a 0-62-mile-per-hour sprint of just 4.9 seconds. Which is quick by any measure. Still, the privilege of driving the fast, high-center-of-gravity Bimmer doesn't come cheaply – Alpina would like just over 69,000 euro ($77,000 by today's rates) for each example. That kind of coin will buy a European equal performance in the form of a Porsche Macan diesel, or any number of non-SUV performance rides, too. It takes a special mind, I suppose... Related Video:

2019 Chicago Auto Show Special | Autoblog Podcast #570

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore and Associate Editor Reese Counts discuss the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, including the debuts of the Toyota RAV4 TRD, refreshed Toyota Tacoma, the Mazda Miata 30th Anniversary Edition and the new Subaru Legacy. We also announced our best-of-show winners. We also talk about a couple of SUVs we've had at the office, the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the BMW X5. Finally, we spend your money on a new, fun vehicle for winter. Autoblog Podcast #570 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2019 Mazda Miata 30th Anniversary Edition 2020 Subaru Legacy 2019 Ram 1500 split tailgate 2019 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Chicago Auto Show Editor's Picks Mercedes-Benz G550 BMW X5 Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Podcasts Chicago Auto Show BMW Mazda Mercedes-Benz RAM Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Videos Original Video

BMW plans i5 as a useful EV for families

BMW has the often-rumored i5 under development as the next member of its i sub-brand. While the work isn't done yet, look for the future model to be an electric vehicle to appeal to families. To fit the mainstream purpose, BMW's engineers plan to give the new product a long driving range and useful cargo capacity, i product boss Henrik Wenders told Car and Driver. In the brief interview, Wenders shoots down many previous rumors about the i5. For example, he says the model is an EV – not hydrogen fueled or a plug-in hybrid like previous reports claim. However, BMW plans to offer an optional range extender like it does for the i3. "The range-extender plays an important part in the next years when range remains a limiting factor and a source of anxiety," said Wenders. Without saying so directly, the exec also seems to suggest the division wouldn't use the platform from the long-wheelbase 5 Series for the i5, which some reports allege. Instead, Wenders sees the sub-brand as pushing BMW's technological prowess with tech like the current model's extensive use of carbon fiber. According to Wenders, "One of i's roles is as an enabling brand, to help industrialize new materials and processes. We have already opened the door with the i3, and we will take it from there." BMW's EV boss told Autoblog in early 2014 that the company already had the new vehicle under development, but the automaker later denied that claim. With the current lineup, the i3 excels in urban environments, and the i8 is a sports coupe. The next natural step is to offer more room and greater range with the i5. Given the upcoming EV boom from models like the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3, and next-gen Nissan Leaf, we're very curious to see BMW's effort to stay competitive in the segment. Related Video: