Alpina
B12 5.7 Coupé (E31)

Why it matters

The B12 5.7 was Alpina's ultimate version of the BMW 8 Series coupé, with an enlarged 5.7-litre V12 and a claimed top speed of 300 km/h. Only 57 were built, and it was offered with an early clutchless shift system that foreshadowed BMW's SMG.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Alpina B12 5.7 Coupé (E31) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: nakhon100 · CC BY 2.0
• Alpina B12 5.7 Coupé (E31) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: nakhon100 · CC BY 2.0
• Alpina B12 5.7 Coupé (E31) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: nakhon100 · CC BY 2.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Following the 5.0-litre B12 coupé, Alpina enlarged the E31's twelve-cylinder engine to 5,646 cc for 306 kW. Built at Buchloe from November 1992 to late 1996, the car came with a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed shift system without a clutch pedal, the clutch being operated automatically through the lever.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The B12 5.7 Coupé shares the exterior changes of the BMW 850 CSi on which it is based. Its unique feature is a carbon-fibre bonnet with a central NACA duct and engine vents at the sides. It runs on 18-inch Alpina wheels with 245/40 tyres at the front and 285/35 at the rear. Standard trim is anthracite leather with blue and green stripes, a leather-covered steering wheel and a wooden gear knob. Of the 57 cars, 32 were fitted with the Shift-Tronic electronic clutch system instead of the six-speed manual.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Alpina Archive: B12 5.7 Coupe Level B The Unofficial BMW Alpina homepage (alpina-archive.com)

   • A total of 57 B12 5.7 Coupé were built.
   • Alpina modified the engine capacity to 5.7 litre
   • 5,6 litre V12
   • Getrag 6-speed manual as standard
   • carbon-fiber bonnet with NACA duct
   • Alpina claim a 0-100 km/h time of 5,8 seconds

   Accessed 2026-11-13
2. 2
   Alpina B12 Level B motor-car.net

   • a total of 57 B12 5.7s left the Alpina factory in Buchloe
   • 12-cylinder gasoline, 5646 cc
   • 5646 cc
   • 306 kW at 5400 rpm
   • 570 Nm at 4000 rpm
   • Six-speed manual; shift control without a clutch pedal
   • 300 km/h

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Alpina B12 – Motor Car History Level B

   • 57 cars built Nov 1992–Nov 1996

   Accessed 2026-11-11