Alpina B12 5.7(1:18, Ottomobile)
- Alpina B12 5.7 (from 1992)
- Ottomobile
- 1:18
- Showcase model / No engine
- resin
- blue
- OT636
- private sale
- 220,00 EUR
- In near mint condition
- Original packaging does not exist
- Not for sale
BMW Alpina B12 5.7 based on the E31 coupe
This collector’s piece from Modelly member “Marcello” most likely represents the Alpina B12 5.7, the most powerful Alpina version of the BMW 8 Series from the E31 generation. This generation was designated E31 and was built from 1989 to 1999. It didn’t really have a direct predecessor, but in spirit it took over the role of the BMW 6 Series E24 in the premium coupe segment. The basic design of the BMW 8 Series was created under Klaus Kapitza, while the technical development at BMW happened during the time of Wolfgang Reitzle. The B12 conversion was done by Alpina, the German manufacturer and tuner founded in 1965 in Buchloe. In the original car, the Alpina B12 5.7 combined the 8 Series body with a heavily revised V12 engine based on the BMW M70/M73 family. Depending on the source, output is given as around 416 hp, along with 570 Nm of torque and a 6-speed manual gearbox, which was pretty special for a V12 in this setup. Technical features of the original included a displacement increase to 5.7 liters, modified pistons, revised camshafts, updated engine management, a changed suspension setup, and a specific exhaust system. The typical Alpina alloy wheels were part of it too; on the model you can clearly see the multi-spoke Alpina wheels in the style of the classic Alpina Classic rims.
Technology and time context of the Alpina B12 5.7
The Alpina B12 5.7 was a grand tourer with a clear focus on high-speed cruising and long-distance comfort. The BMW E31 already brought a lot of technical highlights from the factory: a stiff body structure, a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, electronically controlled systems, and electronic equipment that was very complex for the time. Other defining features were the low front end with pop-up headlights, frameless side windows, and the long, wedge-shaped profile. On the Alpina B12 5.7, there were also Alpina-specific changes to aerodynamics, suspension, and drivetrain. Top speed, depending on test and gearing, was well over 290 km/h (180.2 mph), making it one of the fastest German grand tourers of the 1990s. The first production phase of the E31 started in 1989; to help place that year in context, here are a few well-known events from the time this car’s technical base came from: in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, Madonna released the album Like a Prayer, and the Game Boy hit the market. These examples help show the era in which the later Alpina B12 5.7 was born.
1/18 model car from Ottomobile: body, paint, and details
The miniature captures the shape of the big coupe really well and reflects the lines of the Alpina B12 5.7 nicely in scale. This is a model car in 1/18 scale from Ottomobile. The model is made of resin, meaning cast plastic, which is often used in collector models to reproduce body shapes very accurately. You can see the long hood, the low roofline, the wide rear end, and the smoothly integrated bumpers of the E31 body. The paint finish looks like a dark blue with a fine metallic effect, plus a gray lower body section in two-tone style. Along the sides you can spot the typical thin Alpina stripes, as well as the script on the front fenders. Up front, the BMW kidney grille and closed pop-up headlights are visible, along with the hood vents that match the look of the original. At the rear, the dark taillights, the Alpina badge on the trunk, and the twin exhaust tips on the left side are nicely done. The interior is visible too in the photos: light-colored seats, a dark dashboard, and the typical 2+2 layout of the 8 Series coupe. The proportions, color separation, and multi-spoke wheels fit the look of the original really well.
Limited collector’s edition for model car collectors
For collectors, it’s also worth noting that this model came out as a limited edition. Limited to 2000 pieces worldwide, this version is clearly aimed at collectors. The example shown here from Marcello’s collection sits on a display base, which further emphasizes the coupe’s low, stretched shape. Once again, this is a model car in 1/18 scale, made by Ottomobile, and the focus of the build is clearly on the exterior shape, paintwork, and brand-specific Alpina details. The body looks neatly assembled, the window frames and seals are subtly done, and the wheel-and-tire combination sits nicely in the arches. Especially for a car like the Alpina B12 5.7, the combination of BMW E31 styling, V12 background, and Alpina’s modifications is interesting for many collectors, because it documents a special chapter of German high-performance coupes from the 1990s. A clear link to a specific movie or TV car can’t be confirmed from the photos alone, so the focus here stays on the road car and its miniature version.
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