New Models
New Models

2022 Alpina XD3 facelift revealed, Australian launch due late 2021

Alpina’s performance diesel mid-size SUV goes official, just a few days after the unveiling of its BMW-badged sibling.


The facelifted 2022 Alpina XD3 has been unveiled, ahead of its Australian launch in late 2021.

Famed BMW tuner Alpina’s updated XD3 mid-size SUV benefits from the same array of updates as the BMW X3 model on which it’s based, including updated exterior styling, reworked interior construction and a retuned chassis under the skin.

Under the bonnet sits the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six diesel engine as the outgoing model, sending 261kW and 730Nm (from 1750-2750rpm) to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission with Alpina’s signature shift buttons (or traditional aluminium paddle shifters).

The engine is assisted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, capable of providing an 8kW boost under hard acceleration, and reducing load on the diesel engine at cruising speeds.

Alpina claims a 4.9-second sprint from zero to 100km/h, towards a top speed of 254km/h.

Interestingly, left-hand-drive models sold overseas are powered by a quad-turbo version of the 3.0-litre diesel engine, developing 290kW and 800Nm.

Fuel consumption on Europe’s WLTP cycle in Australian models is rated at 7.8L/100km, with emissions reduced through dual SCR catalysts with AdBlue injection and a diesel particulate filter.

Under the skin, Alpina-tuned adaptive dampers feature as standard, with a new-for-2022 revised steering tune paired with carry-over stiffer springs and multiple drive modes ranging from Comfort+ to Sport+.

Filling the arches are alloy wheels ranging from 20 to 22 inches in diameter, featuring Alpina’s signature multi-spoke design, and wrapped in special Pirelli P Zero performance tyres designed specifically for the XD3.

The performance brakes hiding behind the alloys gain new brake pads for 2022, with customers able to option “high-performance” drilled composite units measuring 395mm up front, and 398mm at the rear.

Above: Facelifted BMW X3 xDrive30e interior. Bottom: Pre-facelift Alpina XD3.

Bolstering the rear-biased, Alpina-tuned all-wheel-drive system and rear limited-slip differential is a new Performance Control system, claimed to “[prevent] understeering through selective brake interventions at each individual wheel.”

The Alpina XD3 mirrors its BMW sibling with an array of exterior design changes, including revised front and rear bumpers, conjoined kidney grilles, slimmer headlights with new LED signatures, new 3D LED tail-light signatures, and white stripe decals along the side.

While no images of the interior have been revealed, Alpina claims it features the same restyled centre console as the donor X3, while the central display can now show G-force, boost pressure, oil temperature and other information.

Lavalina leather upholstery features on the options list.

The 2022 Alpina XD3 is now available to order, ahead of first Australian deliveries in late 2021 (likely December). Local pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch.


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Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

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