The Alpina B12 is a line of high-performance luxury vehicles manufactured by German car manufacturer Alpina. Alpina produced the B12 to replace the B11 4.0 in 1988. The production run of the B12 ended when BMW stopped manufacturing the 7 Series models in 2001.
History of Alpina B12
Alpina B12 5.0 (E31; 1988 - 1994)
Since its predecessor, the B11, employed 3.5L and 4.0L V8 engines, the first Alpina production vehicle to use a V12 engine was the B12. The suffix 5.0 denotes the same engine displacement as the original BMW M70 V12. The 750i/iL was the base for the B12 5.0. Alpina stopped the production of the B12 5.0 when BMW discontinued the E32 models in 1994.
Alpina B12 5.0 and 5.7 (E31; 1990 - 1994)
In 1990, Alpina released a grand touring variant of the B12 5.0 built on the E31 8 Series 850i and subsequent 850Ci models. It was released just several months after the 850i was released. When Alpina first released the 5.7 variant, the 850CSi was still a new model. When it was first available to the public, it was in 1992. Alpina utilized the new BMW S70B56 V12 engine in the B12 5.7, which had a 5.7L capacity, a larger air intake, redesigned camshafts, and a reworked crankshaft. Alpina sold 97 cars for B12 5.0 and 57 units for the B12 5.7.
Alpina B12 5.7 and 6.0 (E-KAT E38; 1995 - 2001)
In 1995, BMW released the B12 5.7, built on the new BMW 7 Series (E38). The B12 features a modified form of the newly unveiled BMW M73 V12 engine, based on the 750i/iL. The company improved the engine to have a 5.7L displacement, updated cylinder heads, a reworked air intake system, and increased compression Mahle pistons. This model lasted until 1998 before being replaced by the B12 6.0, a facelifted version of the 7 Series. Alpina built 202 automobiles in all. Alpina based the B12 6.0 on the facelift 750i/iL and introduced the model in 1999. They used an improved BMW M73 V12 engine. The company made significant modifications, including an enlarged 6.0L engine, modified camshafts, improved air intakes, higher compression Mahle aluminum pistons, Bosch Motronic M5 2.1 fuel injection, and a new exhaust system. Alpina continued the production of the B12 6.0 until 2001, with a total of 94 units sold.
Price
For $350,000, you can buy one of Earth's coolest Alpina cars.
Features
The presence of a standard 750i/iL on the road is stunning, but the B12 6.0 is much more so due to its enormous 20-inch wheels. The four exhaust pipes and a larger front spoiler are the only aesthetic improvements. One more good addition is the Alpina deco-set in silver or gold. Complete leather upholstery in Alpina design, a hand-sewn leather-rimmed steering wheel, luxury wood 'Elm,' updated instrument panel, Alpina design velour floor mats, and a silver-plated production plaque are among the interior improvements. Lavalina leather is one of the great options for the Alpina B12's features.
Specs
The Alpina B12 5.7 engine delivers 410 hp (306 kW) at 5,400 rpm and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) at 4,000 rpm of torque. The Alpina B12 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph (300 kph) and a curb weight of 4,354 lbs (1,975 kg). Alpina offered the Alpina B12 5.7 as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model with a 6-speed manual transmission by Getrag powered by a BMW S70B56 V12 engine.
Release Date
Alpina released and manufactured the B12 models between 1988 and 2001.