In 1990 BMW presented the 850i as the successor to the E24 6-series. However, to the regret of many BMW fans, the 8-series turned out to be a large and heavy Gran Turismo instead of a sports coupe. The V12 powered 850i was, and still is, a very fast car but it wasn´t as much fun to drive as its predecessor.

This led to the introduction of the B12 5.0 Coupé in 1991.

The B12 5.0 Coupe engine is based on BMW´s 5.0 litre V12 engine from the 850i. Please refer to the B12 5.0 section for more information. The power output is 350 bhp and 470 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The suspension has shorter and stiffer springs and gas-pressure dampers. The wheels are 18″ with 245/40 front and 285/35 rear tires.

Interior changes include a new leather-covered 3-spoke steering-wheel, a leather gearknob, Nappa leather sportseats in Alpina design and new instruments with blue background and red needles. The only exterior changes are the wheels, a new frontspoiler, badges and the exhaust pipes.

Alpina claimed a 0-100 km/h time of 6,8 seconds and a top speed of over 280 km/h. In Auto Motor und Sport´s test the B12 accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 7,0 seconds, 0-160 km/h in 15,0 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 23,0 seconds and had a top speed of 283 km/h.

A total of 97 B12 5.0 Coupé were built.