If you asked Mr
Bovensiepen ten years ago, if he would build a diesel-powered
car the answer would probably be NO. But in the end of 1996 Alpina
concluded an agreement with BMW to join forces in developing "the
ultimative diesel sports engine". BMW offered Alpina two
alternatives for the development of the new engine: either the
brand-new 3,9 litre V8 or the 3 litre six-cylinder. Alpina chose
the six-cylinder because it fits perfectly into both the 3-series
and the 5-series and it is even more economical than the V8. So
at last year´s Geneva Autoshow Alpina introduced this car,
the D10 BiTurbo. It is available at dealers now with prices from
111000 D-Mark for a manual saloon.
Engine/Gearbox
As I´ve already
told you, Alpina chose the 24 vavle, 3 litre turbocharged six-cylinder
engine from the BMW 530d. Together with BMW, Alpina have developed
probably the most advanced diesel engine there is. This 3,0 litre
engine features the second-generation BOSCH common-rail fuel injection
with a maximum system pressure of 1600 bar. As you probably already
have understood by the name, the D10 has two turbochargers featuring,
for the first time ever in a six-cylinder diesel, grid-controlled,
electromechanical adjustment of turbine geometry. To reduce the
boost temperature, the D10 has a BEHR high-performance intercooler
which can reduce the temperature as much as 100 degrees. Alpina
have also fitted new light-alloy pistons, a new exhaust system
and new valves. The power is up from 184 bhp to 238 bhp and it
produces 500 Nm of torque from 1800 to 3000 rpm. There are two
gearboxes available, a Getrag six-speed manual or a ZF five-speed
automatic with Switch-Tronic.
As you see here the
D10 is very frugal. 7,5 litre/100 km at 150 km/h makes the D10
a nice long-distance cruiser. Alpina claims 8 litre/100 km/h
in Mixed driving. Even I can afford it...
Suspension/Brakes/Wheels
The wheels are
18in high with Michelin Pilot tires, 235/40 at front and 265/35
at rear. Check back here soon for more info.
Interior/Exterior
The D10 undergoes
the same exterior changes as it´s other 5-series brothers.
That means a deeper front-spoiler, 18in wheels(19in is optional)
and bigger exhaust "pipes". You can also have the deco-set
in gold or silver and a rear-spoiler without cost. The interior
changes includes Sport-seats with Alpina upholstery, a hand-stitched
leather steering-wheel, Alpina wood-interior including a nice
gear-knob, Alpina carpets and the silver plaque. As in the B10´s
the instruments are replaced with Alpina items, blue with red
needles, but the D10 has it´s own speedo marked to 300 km/h.
Performance
Alpina claims a
0-100 km/h time of 7,2 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h+. In
Autobild´s test of a manual D10, they managed to achieve
0-100 km/h in only 7,0 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 26,3 and a top speed
of 254 km/h. The D10 that was tested by Auto Motor und Sport was
equipped with the Switch-Tronic gearbox and believe it or not,
it was even faster. 0-100 km/h in 6,7 seconds, 0-160 km/h in 16,9
but the top speed was the same at 254 km/h. Not bad for a diesel...
