Spy shots of the 2023 BMW Alpina B3 Touring.

BMW is about to unveil its first M3 Touring, but BMW's semi-official tuner, Alpina, has been offering its own high-performance wagon based on the 3 Series Touring for years.

It is called the B3 Touring, and a prototype of an updated version has just been spotted. The arrival of the updated B3 Touring (and B3 sedan) should coincide with the arrival of the updated 3 Series family later this year.

The B3 Touring prototype features modified headlights that will be shared with the updated 3 Series. It will also feature new front and rear fascias and Alpina's signature wheels.

We also know that the car will feature a new dash design with a floating screen, similar to that found on the battery-powered i4. This should also be featured on the updated B3, along with typical Alpina interior treatments such as a custom steering wheel, various trim options, and Alpina-specific graphics on the instrument cluster and infotainment system.

How does the B3 look like?

It is not clear what mechanical modifications are planned. The current B3 is powered by the same 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder that is normally found in the M3 and M4. This engine delivers 462 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque in the B3. These figures allow owners to enjoy a 0-60 mph acceleration of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of over 186 mph.

Completing the mechanical package is an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive system.

The updated 3 Series will be unveiled shortly; the B3 sedan and this B3 Touring Wagon should appear a few months later than usual for BMW. The B4 Gran Coupe, based on the latest BMW 4 Series, should appear at about the same time.

Unfortunately, Alpina does not offer the B3 and B4 models in the U.S., as it is a small company with global sales of less than 2,000 units per year. Only the high-end B7, XB7, and B8 Gran Coupe are available, but Alpina has several; the B8 update was released in early February and the XB7 update is imminent.