ALPINA B12 5,7(e-31)

The B12 5,7 Coupé is the fastest car Alpina have ever made. It is based on the BMW 850CSi which came in fall 1992 and the B12 came about a half year later. Alpina have admitted that with the 850 CSi, BMW and BMW Motorsport have done a terrific job so their idea with the B12 5,7 was just to enchance a few things on the CSi. But now it´s out of production and unfortunately I don´t have the production figures yet.

Engine/Gearbox

The engine is based on the BMW Motorsport prepared 5,6 litre V12. That engine produces 380 bhp but Alpina have modified some things to make it even more powerful. The engine has grown in size to 5,7 litre. They have also done some modifications to the intake-system, crankshaft and camshafts. A new exhaust system is used with Alpina´s own stainless steel catalytic converters and they have reprogrammed the Motronic Management system. The changes result in 416 bhp and 570 Nm of torque. The gearbox is a Getrag 6-speed manual but the the B12 5,7 had an interesting option, the Shift-Tronic system. That is a electronic clutch management system developed by Alpina and LUK GS. It´s the only Alpina ever that had this system.

Suspension/Brakes/Wheels

BMW got so close to Alpina specs on the CSi suspension that all Alpina bothered to change were the car´s front springs to lower the nose a little. The brakes are the same as in the 850 CSi but the wheels are bigger, 18in high with 245/40 tires up front and 285/35 tires at rear.

Interior/Exterior

The B12 has, like all other Alpina cars, Alpina upholstery. That means, in this car, anthracite leather with blue and green stripes. A new leather-covered steering-wheel is fitted, as is a wood gearknob. The B12 5,7 has the same exterior changes as the 850 CSi except for one thing, the bonnet. It is made of carbon-fiber with a NACA duct in the center and engine vents on the sides. The wheels are Alpina´s own, of course.

Performance

Alpina claimed a 0-100 km/h time of 5,8 seconds, 0-1000 m in 24,9 seconds and a top speed of more than 300 km/h.

Pictures