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THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 |

Alpina has just released two videos in which Burkard Bovensiepens, the man who started the company back in the 1960s, explains the driving philosophy of their operation and presents their latest models, the XD3 Biturbo and the B3, which were recently revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

The BMW X3-based XD3 is actually a very important vehicle for them, as it is the first SUV they've ever done. It takes 4.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph), and it is good for a top speed of 253 km/h (158 mph).

That's because they have managed to extract 350 PS (345 hp) out of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six diesel, while also increasing torque, to 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). Still, the most important part of the XD3 package is the fuel consumption figure – 6.8 lt/100km (41.5mpg UK or 34.6 mpg US). It is a bit higher than that of the regular model, but you are getting near M levels of performance here.

The other model, the B3, is just another example of what Alpina does best – take a regular BMWsaloon (or wagon) and give it near-supercar levels of performance, while keeping its looks relatively tame.

Based on the current F30 3-Series, the B3 has a 3.0-liter straight six gasoline engine, which helped by two turbos puts out 404 hp (410 PS). According to Herr Bovensiepens, it reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds, and will sail past the European magical number of 300, topping out at 305 km/h (190.6 mph) on an empty stretch of autobahn. It too is efficient, using up 7.9 l/100km (29.8mpg US / 35.8mpg UK), which is impressive, given the level of performance you have on tap.

What has happened here is that these two very technical, concise and precise presentations look pretty convincing. Alpina still knows how to modify a BMW, whatever it may be, and make it almost instantly desirable.

By Andrei Nedelea

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2013 |

The Aston Martin Rapide S is one of the nicest looking four-door sedans in the world, but many will dismiss it as being a simple facelift of the previous model. Here to correct you is the firm's Director of Product Development, Ian Minards, who breaks the S apart in front of your eyes and puts all the changes they've made into perspective.

He talks about the revised six-liter V12 engine, which gets 80 more horsepower than before, as well as improvements in safety and emissions. The car, despite being considerably more powerful emits 332 g/km CO2, which is down from the previous model's 355 g/km figure.

One thing that slightly worries us in this age of carbon tubs and suspension systems which overload your mind if you try to comprehend them, is that Aston Martin is still using its 10 year-old VH platform, which came about with the creation of the first-gen DB9.

Regardless, one cannot loathe a sleek sedan that can do 305 km/h (190 mph), and sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just under five seconds. That's three tenths quicker than the Rapide, which comes courtesy of the extra power (550 hp in total, now) as well as a recalibrated six-speed automatic gearbox.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

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