Alpina B12 5.7 - The ultimate BMW 8 series
Debuted to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1989, BMW’s E31 8 Series was a car that many say was well ahead of its time. Offered in both V8 and V12 variants, the 8 Series was the first road car to be made available with a 12 cylinder engine coupled to a 6 speed manual gearbox. Production of the 8 series ran from 1989 – 1999. The most powerful version that BMW officially manufactured was the 850CSI which had 380 hp. Using the S70 engine, the BMW 850CSI was modified by BMW’s M-division and the S used in the engine code (rather than M which is used for non-M engines) indicates this.
However, BMW never officially badged the 850CSI as an M8. Why? Many theories exist, but we think the most plausible is likely to be the fact that BMW knew that the S70 V12 engine had a lot more to give and possibly wanted to save the M8 badge for something much more extreme, a flagship supercar perhaps? This theory is supported by the fact that BMW’s engineers did actually make a prototype M8, the only one ever made. The M8’s S70 /1 engine displacement was increased to 6 litres. Featuring a full carbon fibre intake system, roller valves instead of throttle valves, a dry sump lubrication system with the oil reservoir in the boot because there was no space in the engine bay and numerous weight saving modifications (and no pop up headlights) – the M8 prototype was capable of an unbelievable 640hp output and top speed north of 300 kmph.
Economic uncertainties of the early 90’s and the fact that the M8 prototype was likely too extreme to become a production vehicle meant that the M8 project was pulled by BMW’s board. A modified version of the M8’s engine (the S70/2) also made it into the infamous, mid-engined McLaren F1 which achieved a production car world record of 231mph in 1993 and went onto to hit 240.1mph at Nardo in 1998. As of 2022 the F1 held the record for the fastest naturally aspirated production car in the world. Even though the M8 never saw the light of day, a version of its engine was still behind one of the most iconic fastest cars ever made.
By some, the BMW M8 prototype could be regarded as the ultimate 8 series, but as a prototype many will argue that it cannot qualify for this title and we’d have to agree.
Alpina’s version of the 8 series however, the B12, is a different story. Alpina didn’t modify the V8 powered BMW 840, it went straight for the 850 V12’s – a testament to Alpina’s commitment to produce only the very best, ultra-premium, highly exclusive vehicles. Alpina produced two variants of the E31 B12, a 5.0 (using the BMW M70 engine) which produced 350hp and a 5.7 (using the S70 engine, which Alpina enlarged from 5.6L to 5.7L) which produced 416hp. Alpina’s factory in Buchloe manufactured 97 of the 5.0 versions and the 5.7 version was limited to 57 vehicles.
Image source: Alpina GmbH
Offering 36hp over the standard BMW 850CSi, Alpina’s flagship B12 5.7 was the most powerful 8 series that money could buy in the early to mid-nineties. The B12 5.7 also featured a modified air intake, camshafts and uprated crankshaft. A re-programmed Bosch Motronic engine management system alongside a new Alpina stainless steel exhaust, with new manifolds and Alpina’s own catalytic converters were used to accelerate the B12 5.7 from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 300km/h – the first Alpina to do so in the company’s history. It’s easy to see why it was nicknamed the ‘road rocket’ by the motoring press.
The 5.7 was offered with a 6-speed manual Getrag gearbox but also came with an optional ‘Shift-Tronic’ system which used an electronic clutch that was developed in conjunction with LUK GS. Exterior changes saw the trademark Alpina 18in alloys and a slight lowering of the front with new springs. A new carbon fibre bonnet with side engine vents and a central NACA duct to improve air flow were added exclusively to the B12 5.7. The interior saw Alpina’s usually touches with Anthracite leather featuring Alpina’s blue and green stripes, alongside Alpina’s instrument cluster and various wooden trim options.
At the launch of the B12, Alpina’s founder Burkard Bovensiepen commented; “You do not have to own this automobile to marvel at it; without doubt, it is a landmark at the pinnacle of German automotive engineering.”
Due to their limited production volume, the B12 effectively became an instant classic and highly collectable. Today, both B12 versions are hard to come by and one can expect to part ways with very worrying looks from their accountant to acquire one. But then this is a very very special vehicle and values for these flagship Alpina’s are only likely to go one way.
The combination of BMW E31’s, V12 engine’s, and Alpina’s engineering gave the B12 the perfect recipe to become a true classic and it’s why we can without hesitation crown it as the ultimate BMW 8 series.