Immediately make a reservation that we started writing this article, not because we were stopped by the impressive power of the V8 engine installed under the hood of the new BMW M3. 420 forces are enough to become God, but too little to stay on Olympus, using only enviable dynamic indicators.
Of course, you can only limit yourself to viewing photos if you long for new speed records on the racing ring, but if you are attracted by the power, clothed in comfort (in the German sense of the word), then do not write off this page flip through this page.
No Dolby noise reduction system can compete with silence with a Western European depth. Bavaria does not lag behind this indicator. Especially when the frosty air is motionless. Even a very distant low roar preceding the appearance of a car is perceived here as a powerful acoustic blow — this is the second transmission at the level of the limiter of the number of revolutions, raises the entire district to the ears. The air cuts out the sound wave from the friction of the tires, and now … at first, the front wheel, loaded aside the drift, are shown to the side of the drift, and it seems that the inexorably sliding compartment is about to pull the fence to the typically Bavarian estate is shown from the turn. However, the contact of a powerful super-car and antediluvian wooden fence is an aesthetic crime, so B3 under the screech of wide rear rollers levels the trajectory and is carried away, leaving only a stroke of the rear tires on the asphalt canvy. From the side, the reference M3 behaves somewhere in the same way. We can say that in terms of controllability Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo Coupe, of course, is inferior. And in corners it is slower, given the different settings of the running, steering and the absence of a self -blocking rear differential. But as for the dynamic characteristics, good responsiveness of the engine and its impeccable interaction with the transmission with an unprecedented level of comfort-here B3 is ready to fight on an equal footing with any representative of the highest elite, whether AMG, Maserati or Jaguar.
You involuntarily wonder how a comfortable compartment with an ordinary six -speed automatic box from ZF can have such aggression? The question is far from the rhetorical and requires a qualified and complete answer. And who, no matter how the co -owner of the Alpina family business, Herr Bovensipen can do this in the best way. Moreover, he lives very close, in the town of Bukhty, which is 60 km from Munich. “We have been cooperating with ZF and other suppliers for a long time, so teaching them to speak Alpina’s language is quite simple. Our requirements for the car — speed and comfort, comfort and speed. Therefore, the automatic transmission settings with the SWITCH-TONIC function are appropriate, with quick reactions and smooth switching, without jerking. Here you are, for example, are tired of controlling b3 to the limit?». No, not tired, feeling complete confidence and control over the thrust in the manual mode of the gearbox mode. At a speed close to the maximum (285 km/h) in the automatic automatic transmission I did not feel anything but guaranteed calm for my life.
I hope now it’s clear that, if desired and certain “treshka” skills, Alpina is no less aggressive than her sister from the sports unit M. Loses in power? This is true, given 360 forces against 420. Inferior in dynamics? 4. 8 seconds to hundreds of both — here is complete parity in the absence of Alpina speed limiter.
Given the ratio of torque and its peak at medium speeds, B3 breaks forward thanks to a magnificent, modified engine from 335 Bi-Turbo. Where M3 yawns and stretches (at the level of 1300 rpm), Alpina is ready to share 400 nm with a pair of rear wheels. Believe me, this is enough for any wild dance in a limited space and allows you to feel confident in non -standard situations. In addition to the engine with more powerful pistons and the new cooling system, the chassis and aerodynamics were subjected to significant improvements; B3 is placed on branded 20-spoke alloy, for the sake of better stability at speeds of 300 km/h. shod at Michelin Pilot Sport of the 18th radius. Although the Alpina B3 Coupe, like all the original BMW, is characterized by a short suspension stroke and a hard body, it is difficult to blame for the lack of comfort. Of course, some irregularities affect the driver’s body, but you sit down to compare in M3 and “swallow” a couple of hundred regional kilometers to close this issue once and for all.
“We do not compete with the M GmbH division and in general, left big sport, having achieved good results. Jackie X and James Hunt were chasing our team, and Nicky Laud won the championship, setting an absolute record on the northern loop. The story of Alpina began there, and it continues here on civilian tracks and garages of collectors around the world. Every year, Alpina’s production is increasing (1450 cars were produced last year), maintaining exclusivity at the highest level.
The engine is still manually assembled by one master, the interior is upholstered by unique skin varieties, a silver stigma with the serial number of the machine shines over the central console … ”Bovensipen is irresistible in its love for building — it is the construction — unique cars. Part of his charisma lives in every motor, in each part of the aerodynamic bag hidden from the eyes at the bottom level or towering above the stern. The ubiquitous letter «B» haunts throughout the body and inside the car.
The result of our meeting, not only in violation of the patriarchal wilderness of the Bavarian Territory with its clearly drawn winding roads and a patchwork blanket of agricultural lands. We conducted a clear line for ourselves in our minds (whether it is alpinely green or blue, or “emotionally” red), dividing two among themselves, so far in alphabetical order, letters “B” and “m”. This line determines the border between excitement and pleasure, rapid seconds and the stream of eternal time, which, however, can be changed by choosing something more as a means of transportation than a fast car.