Alpina B12

Alpina B12: which version to buy

If the question is which Alpina B12 to buy, the data splits the field into six named versions across three generations: first-generation 5.0 AT (1988–1994 sedan), second-generation 5.0 AT, 5.7 DSG and 5.7 MT (1990–1996 coupe), and third-generation 5.7 AT and 6.0 AT (1995–2001 sedan). All six are Gasoline, 12-cylinder, V-shaped, no boost, RWD.

If the question is which Alpina B12 to buy, the data splits the field into six named versions across three generations: first-generation 5.0 AT (1988–1994 sedan), second-generation 5.0 AT, 5.7 DSG and 5.7 MT (1990–1996 coupe), and third-generation 5.7 AT and 6.0 AT (1995–2001 sedan). All six are Gasoline, 12-cylinder, V-shaped, no boost, RWD. The buying decision is therefore body (sedan vs coupe), gearbox (4-speed Automatic vs 5-speed Automatic vs 5-speed Robotic vs 6-speed Manual), displacement (4988 vs 5646 vs 5980 cm³), and the measured gaps in horsepower, torque, 0–100 km/h, top speed, and weight. There is no price in the data, so “what extra displacement buys” is stated in horsepower, newton-metres, seconds, and kilograms only.

Alpina B12 5.0 vs 5.7 vs 6.0 — what each engine actually adds

5.0 AT appears twice. First generation 5.0 AT: 350 hp (257 kW) at 5300 rpm, 470 Nm at 4000 rpm, 4988 cm³, 2 valves per cylinder, compression 9.5, bore × stroke 84 × 75, fuel 98, 4-speed Automatic, 0–100 km/h 6.9 s, top speed 275 km/h, kerb 1860 kg, gross 2380 kg. Second generation 5.0 AT: same 350 hp (257 kW) at 5300 rpm and 470 Nm at 4000 rpm on the same 4988 cm³, still 2 valves per cylinder, still no boost, still 4-speed Automatic, still RWD — but compression 10.5, bore × stroke 86 × 75, fuel 95, engine location Front, longitudinal, 0–100 km/h 6.8 s, top speed 280 km/h, kerb 1790 kg, gross 2260 kg, tank 90 L. Arithmetic: the later 5.0 AT is 70 kg lighter at the kerb (1860 − 1790), 120 kg lighter at gross (2380 − 2260), 0.1 s quicker to 100 km/h, and 5 km/h higher at the limiter. Specific output is identical: 350 / 4.988 ≈ 70.2 hp per litre on both 5.0 AT versions. Weight per horsepower improves from 1860 / 350 ≈ 5.31 kg/hp (first generation) to 1790 / 350 ≈ 5.11 kg/hp (second generation). If you want the 5.0-litre engine, the second-generation 5.0 AT is the stronger measured package on every figure that differs; the first-generation 5.0 AT is the only B12 that specifies 98 fuel and the only one with rear brakes listed as Disc rather than Disc ventilated.

5.7 is three named versions, not one. Second generation 5.7 DSG: 416 hp (305 kW) at 5400 rpm, 570 Nm at 4000 rpm, 5646 cm³, 2 valves per cylinder, compression 10.5, 86 × 81, fuel 95, Front, longitudinal, 5-speed Robotic, 0–100 km/h 5.8 s, top speed 300 km/h, kerb 1865 kg, gross 2300 kg, tank 90 L. Second generation 5.7 MT: 416 hp (306 kW) at 5400 rpm, 570 Nm at 4000 rpm, same 5646 cm³, 2 valves, compression 10 (not 10.5), 86 × 81, fuel 95, 6-speed Manual, same 5.8 s and 300 km/h, same 1865 / 2300 kg, same 90 L tank. Third generation 5.7 AT: 387 hp (285 kW) at 5200 rpm, 560 Nm at 4100 rpm, 5646 cm³, 2 valves, compression 10.5, 86 × 81, fuel 95, 5-speed Automatic, 0–100 km/h 6.4 s, top speed 280 km/h, kerb 2035 kg, gross 2495 kg, tank 95 L, wheels 245/40 R20 and 275/35 R20.

Versus the matching-generation 5.0 AT, second-generation 5.7 DSG / 5.7 MT add 66 hp (416 − 350), 100 Nm (570 − 470), 658 cm³ (5646 − 4988), cut 1.0 s from 0–100 km/h (6.8 − 5.8), and add 20 km/h of top speed (300 − 280). They also add 75 kg at the kerb versus second-generation 5.0 AT (1865 − 1790) and 40 kg at gross (2300 − 2260). Specific output rises from ≈70.2 hp/L to 416 / 5.646 ≈ 73.7 hp/L. Weight per horsepower falls from ≈5.11 kg/hp to 1865 / 416 ≈ 4.48 kg/hp — the lowest (best) ratio in the whole B12 set.

Third-generation 5.7 AT is not a power upgrade over the coupe 5.7s. It is 29 hp down on 5.7 DSG / 5.7 MT (416 − 387), 10 Nm down (570 − 560), 0.6 s slower to 100 km/h (6.4 − 5.8), 20 km/h slower at the top (300 − 280), and 170 kg heavier at the kerb (2035 − 1865) with 195 kg more gross (2495 − 2300). Specific output drops to 387 / 5.646 ≈ 68.5 hp/L — the lowest of any measured B12. Weight per horsepower is 2035 / 387 ≈ 5.26 kg/hp, close to first-generation 5.0 AT. What the sedan 5.7 AT does buy versus the coupe 5.7s is a 5-speed Automatic, a 95 L tank instead of 90 L, named 20-inch wheels, and a sedan body. Fuel consumption for 5.7 AT is not measured.

6.0 AT is the only 5980 cm³ version: 430 hp (316 kW) at 5400 rpm, 600 Nm at 4200 rpm, Gasoline, 12, V-shaped, valves per cylinder not measured, no boost, compression not measured, bore × stroke not measured, fuel 95, 5-speed Automatic, RWD, 0–100 km/h 5.9 s, top speed 291 km/h, city 24.6 / highway 10.2 / mixed 15.5, tank 95 L. Kerb weight, gross weight, and wheels are not measured.

Versus third-generation 5.7 AT, 6.0 AT adds 43 hp (430 − 387), 31 kW (316 − 285), 40 Nm (600 − 560), 334 cm³ (5980 − 5646), 0.5 s off 0–100 km/h (6.4 − 5.9), and 11 km/h of top speed (291 − 280). Specific output is 430 / 5.980 ≈ 71.9 hp/L — above 5.7 AT (≈68.5) and the two 5.0 AT versions (≈70.2), below the coupe 5.7 DSG / 5.7 MT (≈73.7). Versus second-generation 5.7 DSG / 5.7 MT, 6.0 AT is 14 hp up (430 − 416) and 30 Nm up (600 − 570) but 0.1 s slower to 100 km/h (5.9 vs 5.8) and 9 km/h slower at the top (291 vs 300). The 6.0-litre sedan therefore does not beat the 5.7-litre coupe on the two performance clocks that are measured for both; it beats the 5.7-litre sedan.

Alpina B12 horsepower and engine specs by version

Valves per cylinder: 2 on every version except 6.0 AT (not measured). Multi-point distributed injection on all six. Peak power rpm is 5300 on both 5.0 AT versions, 5400 on 5.7 DSG, 5.7 MT and 6.0 AT, and 5200 on 5.7 AT — the sedan 5.7 peaks 200 rpm earlier and 29 hp lower than the coupe 5.7s.

Alpina B12 5.7 vs 6.0 (third generation sedan)

This is the only pair that shares years (1995–2001), body (Sedan), gearbox type (Automatic, 5), drive (RWD), tank (95 L), suspension (Independent, spring front and rear), and brakes (Ventilated disc front, Disc ventilated rear).

Buy 5.7 AT if you want the only third-generation version with a full measured chassis set: kerb 2035 kg, gross 2495 kg, wheels 245/40 R20 and 275/35 R20, compression 10.5, 86 × 81, 2 valves per cylinder. Its 387 hp and 560 Nm are the weaker of the two sedans. Fuel, CO₂, eco class, ground clearance, and engine location are not measured.

Buy 6.0 AT if the numbers that matter are peak output and the 0–100 / top-speed pair versus 5.7 AT: 430 hp, 600 Nm, 5.9 s, 291 km/h. It is also the only B12 with measured fuel use: 24.6 / 10.2 / 15.5. What you give up versus 5.7 AT is every weight and wheel figure (kerb, gross, wheels all not measured) plus compression, bore × stroke, and valves per cylinder (all not measured). You cannot compute kg/hp for 6.0 AT.

Alpina B12 5.7 DSG vs 5.7 MT (second generation coupe)

Same 416 hp peak, same 570 Nm at 4000 rpm, same 5646 cm³, same 5.8 s, same 300 km/h, same 1865 kg kerb, same 2300 kg gross, same 90 L tank, same Independent, spring suspension, same Ventilated disc / Disc ventilated brakes, same Front, longitudinal layout, same 2 valves, same no boost, same fuel 95.

The split is the gearbox and two small spec differences. 5.7 DSG is Robotic, 5 speeds, 305 kW, compression 10.5. 5.7 MT is Manual, 6 speeds, 306 kW, compression 10. The 1 kW gap (306 − 305) is in the data; 0–100 km/h and top speed are identical. If you want a clutch pedal, 5.7 MT is the only Manual B12. If you want a robotic 5-speed, 5.7 DSG is the only Robotic B12. Neither has measured fuel, CO₂, eco class, ground clearance, or wheels.

Generations: what changed when you move body and years

1 generation (1988–1994, Sedan, 1 version). Only 5.0 AT. Unique in the set: fuel 98, compression 9.5, 84 × 75, rear brakes Disc, tank not measured, engine location not measured. Slowest 0–100 km/h (6.9 s) and lowest top speed (275 km/h) of any B12. Gross 2380 kg is the second-highest; only third-generation 5.7 AT is heavier at 2495 kg. Choose this generation only if the sedan body and the 1988–1994 window are the constraint — the later 5.0 AT matches power and beats it on weight, 0–100 km/h, and top speed.

2 generation (1990–1996, Coupe, 3 versions). The only coupe generation. It is the only generation with a choice of three gearboxes (Automatic 4, Robotic 5, Manual 6) and the only one that reaches 300 km/h (5.7 DSG, 5.7 MT). Lightest kerb in the catalogue is second-generation 5.0 AT at 1790 kg. Best 0–100 km/h in the catalogue is 5.8 s, shared by 5.7 DSG and 5.7 MT. Best kg/hp is ≈4.48 on those two. Fuel is not measured on any second-generation version.

3 generation (1995–2001, Sedan, 2 versions). Returns to Sedan. Automatic only (5 speeds). Adds the 5980 cm³ 6.0 AT and the only measured consumption figures. Heaviest measured kerb is 5.7 AT at 2035 kg — 245 kg above first-generation 5.0 AT (2035 − 1860) and 245 kg above second-generation 5.0 AT (2035 − 1790). Tank grows to 95 L from 90 L on the coupes. Wheels are named only here, and only on 5.7 AT. Ground clearance is not measured on any generation.

Production years overlap: first generation runs to 1994 while second generation starts in 1990; second generation runs to 1996 while third generation starts in 1995. A buyer shopping a mid-1990s car is therefore choosing body and gearbox as much as year.

Performance, mpg, and what is not measured

0–100 km/h ranking (fastest first): 5.7 DSG 5.8 s = 5.7 MT 5.8 s; 6.0 AT 5.9 s; 5.7 AT 6.4 s; second-generation 5.0 AT 6.8 s; first-generation 5.0 AT 6.9 s. Gap from quickest to slowest: 6.9 − 5.8 = 1.1 s.

Top speed ranking: 5.7 DSG / 5.7 MT 300 km/h; 6.0 AT 291 km/h; 5.7 AT 280 km/h = second-generation 5.0 AT 280 km/h; first-generation 5.0 AT 275 km/h. Gap from highest to lowest: 300 − 275 = 25 km/h.

Fuel: only 6.0 AT is measured (24.6 city, 10.2 highway, 15.5 mixed). First-generation 5.0 AT, second-generation 5.0 AT, 5.7 DSG, 5.7 MT, and 5.7 AT — city, highway, and mixed all not measured. CO₂ not measured on all six. Eco class not measured on all six. Do not read those blanks as “this engine uses no fuel”; they are unmeasured.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Ground clearance: not measured on all six versions.

Kerb, where measured: second-generation 5.0 AT 1790 kg; first-generation 5.0 AT 1860 kg; 5.7 DSG 1865 kg; 5.7 MT 1865 kg; 5.7 AT 2035 kg; 6.0 AT not measured.

Gross, where measured: second-generation 5.0 AT 2260 kg; 5.7 DSG 2300 kg; 5.7 MT 2300 kg; first-generation 5.0 AT 2380 kg; 5.7 AT 2495 kg; 6.0 AT not measured. Payload where both masses exist: first-generation 5.0 AT 2380 − 1860 = 520 kg; second-generation 5.0 AT 2260 − 1790 = 470 kg; 5.7 DSG / 5.7 MT 2300 − 1865 = 435 kg; 5.7 AT 2495 − 2035 = 460 kg.

Tank: first-generation 5.0 AT not measured; all three second-generation versions 90 L; both third-generation versions 95 L.

Wheels: 5.7 AT 245/40 R20 and 275/35 R20; the other five versions not measured.

Which Alpina B12 version to choose

Want the highest measured speed and the best kg/hp, in a coupe. 5.7 DSG or 5.7 MT (2 generation, 1990–1996). Shared: 416 hp, 570 Nm, 5.8 s, 300 km/h, 1865 kg, ≈4.48 kg/hp, ≈73.7 hp/L. Pick 5.7 MT for Manual 6; pick 5.7 DSG for Robotic 5. Fuel not measured.

Want the highest horsepower and the only measured mpg, in a sedan. 6.0 AT (3 generation, 1995–2001): 430 hp, 600 Nm, 5.9 s, 291 km/h, 24.6 / 10.2 / 15.5. It does not beat 5.7 DSG / 5.7 MT on 0–100 km/h or top speed. Kerb and wheels not measured.

Want a sedan with a complete weight and wheel sheet, and a 5-speed Automatic. 5.7 AT (3 generation): 387 hp, 560 Nm, 6.4 s, 280 km/h, 2035 / 2495 kg, 95 L, 245/40 R20 and 275/35 R20. It is the weakest 5.7 on power and clocks, and the heaviest measured B12.

Want the lightest B12 with the 5.0-litre Automatic. Second-generation 5.0 AT: 350 hp, 470 Nm, 6.8 s, 280 km/h, 1790 kg, 90 L, fuel 95. Versus first-generation 5.0 AT you give up 98 fuel and gain 70 kg less kerb, 0.1 s, and 5 km/h.

Want the earliest sedan and the only 98-fuel spec. First-generation 5.0 AT: 350 hp, 6.9 s, 275 km/h, 1860 kg. Tank, wheels, ground clearance, fuel use: not measured.

Problems and reliability are not in the data, so they are not claimed here. Used-market price, USA / UK / Australia / Japan listings, and engine-for-sale ads are not in the data either. The ranking above is only the arithmetic on the six named versions.