This
is the successor to the B12 5,0. It is based on the third generation 7-series,
the e-38. It was introduced in December 1995
and went out of production in 1999. A total of 202 B12´s were made,
59 out of them had long-wheelbase.
Engine/Gearbox
The engine is based on
BMW 750i´s 5,4 litre V12 unit which produces 326 bhp. Alpina have increased
the displacement to 5,7 litre. They have also fitted larger valves, light
Mahle pistons, new camshafts and made a couple of other changes. The engine
now produces 387 bhp and a massive torque, 560 Nm. Alpina have also fitted
new catalysts which are electrically heated. That makes the B12 5,7 the first
car in the world to have that. The five-speed automatic gearbox is reprogrammed
and adapted to use the Switch-Tronic system.
Suspension/Brakes/Wheels
The suspension is improved
with shorter and stiffer springs and gas-pressure dampers at front. The B12
also have electronic damper control(EDC) and a Fichtel & Sachs level control
system. The brakes are also improved with fully floating ventilated discs
all around. Alpina
cars always have large wheels but this car has huge ones, 20in. The Michelin
tires measures 245/40 at front and 275/35 at rear.
Interior/Exterior
Inside the car, the steering
wheel is smaller and have buttons for the gearchange and the whole interior
is trimmed in a wealth of hand-finished leather and detailed in Alpinas trademark
colours of blue and green. Alpina have also fitted luxury wood. The exterior
changes are the huge 20in wheels, a deeper front spoiler, optional Alpina
stripes and four exhaust pipes.
Performance
Alpina claims a 0-100
km/h time of 6,4 seconds and a top speed of over 280 km/h.
