View source for Alpina B3 S (E46)

{{short description|German sports car}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Alpina B3 S
| image = E46 Alpina B3 S.jpg
| caption = Alpina B3 S
| manufacturer = [[Alpina|Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG]]
| aka =
| production = 2002&ndash;2006
| model_years =
| assembly = Germany: [[Buchloe]]
| designer =
| class = [[Compact executive car]] ([[D-segment|D]])
| body_style = {{ubl
|2-door [[coupé]]
|2-door [[convertible|retractable hard top convertible]]
|4-door [[sedan (automobile)|saloon]]
|5-door [[station wagon]]
}}
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| platform =
| related = [[Alpina B3#Third generation (E46; 1999-2006)|Alpina B3 (E46)]]
| engine = 3.4&nbsp;L E5/1 [[Straight-6 engine|I6]]
| transmission = {{ubl|6-speed ''[[Getrag]]'' [[manual transmission|manual]]
| 5-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2720|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4470|-|4490|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1740|-|1810|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1410|-|1440|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight =
}}
The '''Alpina B3 S''' is a series of high performance compact executive cars manufactured by German automobile manufacturer [[Alpina]] from 2002 to 2006 based on the Alpina B3 developed from the [[BMW 3 Series (E46)]]. The B3 S was available in [[coupé]], [[saloon (automobile)|saloon]], [[convertible]] and [[station wagon]] body styles. The B3 S was introduced at the [[2002 Paris Motor Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exoticcarbuyerguide.com/bmw-alpina-b3s-e46-saloon-3-4l-manual-review|title=Alpina B3 S 3.4|date=8 February 2016|work=Exotic Car Buyer Guide|access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>
== Specifications ==
The engine is a hand-built 3.4-litre E5/1 [[inline-6]] unit, also shared with the [[Alpina Roadster S]].<ref name="AR">{{cite web|url=http://www.thealpinaregister.com/ourroadtests/2810|title=BMW Alpina Roadster S|date=24 May 2007|work=Alpina Register|access-date=9 December 2018}}</ref> The engine is an enlarged version of the S52B32 engine<ref>{{cite web |title=PARTS CATALOGUE Series E46 |url=http://www.klinika-bmw.pl/alpina-pdf/katalogi/completecats/e46-b3s.pdf |website=www.klinika-bmw.pl |accessdate=10 December 2018}}</ref> first installed in the North American [[BMW M3#E36 M3|M3 (E36)]].<ref name="Evo">{{cite web|url=https://www.evo.co.uk/tvr/tuscan/14195/bmw-z4-m-v-boxster-s-v-tvr-tuscan-v-alpina-m-power-strikes-back|title=BMW Z4 M v Boxster S v TVR Tuscan v Alpina: M Power Strikes Back|date=4 May 2006|first=Richard|last=Meaden|publisher=EVO Magazine|access-date=9 December 2018}}</ref> The engine generated a maximum power output of {{cvt|309|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} at 6,300 rpm and {{cvt|362|Nm|lbft|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4,800 rpm. The engine has a red-line of 7,300 rpm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/alpina-turns-heat-z4|title=Alpina turns heat up on Z4|date=12 February 2004|work=Autocar|access-date=9 December 2018}}</ref> Modifications to the engine include an Alpina specific cylinder head, crankshaft and high strength MAHLE pistons.
The B3 S was available either with a 5-speed Switch Tronic automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission built by [[Getrag]] as standard. Noticeable changes to the interior include Alpina logos and badges, Alpina door sills, and heated sports seats. The comforts options offered by BMW were included as standard in the interior. The exterior changes include a front chin spoiler, 18-inch Alpina alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tyres measuring 225/40 R18 on the front and 255/35 R18 on the rear, and "B3 S" badging at the rear. Changes to the suspension system consisted of Alpina specific dampers and Eibach springs with no other major changes.
==References==
<references/>
{{Alpina}}
[[Category:Alpina vehicles|B3S]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 2002]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports sedans]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:Compact executive cars]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
{{Modern-auto-stub}}