As we know, BMW is busy developing the all-new M3, and it's shaping up to be an enthusiast's dream. The new sports sedan will be powered by the same 3.0-liter straight-six engine as the X3 M and X4 M and will reportedly be offered in three flavors, including an RWD-only 'Pure' version available with a manual transmission and 444 horsepower.

A mid-trim version is expected to offer 475 hp, an automatic transmission, and send power to all four wheels, while the Competition version will deliver over 500 horsepower. Sadly, enthusiasts will need to be patient because the new M3 will allegedly debut as a concept at the 2019 Frankfurt Auto Show in September before going on sale later in 2020 as a 2021 model alongside the new M4. Happily, however, if you can't wait until then, German automaker Alpina is already cooking up a spicy alternative to the new M3.

Our spies have caught a lightly camouflaged prototype of what is clearly a new Alpina version of the G20 BMW 3 Series undergoing hot weather testing in Southern Europe. How do we know this? According to our spies, the "OAL" license plate indicates the region where Alpina is based. The car's quad exhaust pipes are also a signature Alpina feature. Compared to the regular BMW 3 Series, the prototype, dubbed the BMW Alpina B3, is sporting a new front bumper, a different rear spoiler, and unique Alpina wheels.

The Alpina B3 is expected to be offered in both gasoline and diesel guises. The diesel version will likely get the 388 hp tri-turbo found in the XD3 and XD4 and only be available in Europe, while America's gasoline version will deliver around 450 horsepower, which would put it on par with the new M3 Pure. 0-62 mph should take around four seconds. Judging from past models, the Alpina B3 should also be offered as a Touring wagon. Think of it as the M3 wagon BMW refuses to build.