• [E12]
  • Early E12 B7 Turbo B7 S Turbo
  • Media
  • Introduction

    The B7 Turbo was the world´s fastest 4-door car when it was introduced at the IAA 1978. It´s still very fast by today´s standards. At first the car was called 530 Turbo but Alpina soon changed the name to B7 Turbo.

    Engine/Gearbox

    The engine is based on BMW´s 3,0 litre six. But it´s not much left of the standard engine. Alpina have fitted a KKK(Kühnle, Kopp und Kausch)27 turbocharger with a maximum boost of 0,85 bar. Boost is adjustable between 0,55 bar and 0,85 bar, in terms of power between 250 bhp and 300 bhp. Torque has increased to 462 Nm. To handle the greater power a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox developed for the E23 745i is fitted.

    Suspension/Brakes/Wheels

    The suspension is uprated with Bilstein spring units, progressive springs, and adjustable stabilizers. The original brakes are replaced by new, bigger discs, ventilated all-around. The Alpina alloys are 16in high with 205/55 tires at front and 225/50 at rear.

    Interior/Exterior

    Inside, the seats are replaced by deeply-contoured items, which is manufactured to Alpina´s specifications by Scheel. All instruments have been replaced with special Alpina gauges, which have red needles. There are also gauges for turbo boost level, oil pressure and oil temperature. Other changes are leather covered steering-wheel, the shift knob, a left foot dead pedal and the Alpina variable boost control located between the front seats. The visual changes are not many. The B7 had Alpina´s striping, but that was a no-cost option, front and rear spoilers and, of course, Alpina wheels. The B7 is also little lower than a standard 5-series, due to the revised suspension.

    Performance

    The B7 Turbo is a very fast car, even by today´s standards. In Auto Motor und Sport´s test, the B7 accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 6,1 seconds, 0-160 km/h in 13,8, 0-200 km/h in 23,6 and had a top speed of 250 km/h. Even a BMW M5 3,8 will have problems to outrun it.

    Production

    Between December 1978 and February 1982 a total of 149 cars were made.

    Images