The Alpina B7 E12: The Ultimate Sleeper from the '70s
1986 Alpina B7 Turbo — The fastest saloon car in the world. That's what the motoring press called it when it was first released in strictly limited numbers in the 80s. With a top speed of 165 mph it was hard to argue.
To get the full story, we need to go back to '77 — a time when bell-bottoms were the height of fashion, disco was everywhere, and cars were all about muscle and flair. It was in this groovy era that one car quietly shook up the idea of what a performance sedan could be. BMW had just dropped the E12 7 Series, their new flagship model. This thing was a big deal—a sleek luxury ride built to take on the heavy hitters like Mercedes-Benz. But for Alpina, the E12 was just the beginning.
Let’s break it down. The small but mighty German tuner, Alpina B7 took the sexy 7 Series and thought — what if we made this thing a rocket? They started with the 3.0-liter inline-six engine from the 733i, already a solid piece of machinery. But Alpina doesn’t settle for “solid”—they go for spectacular. So, they slapped on a turbocharger. And not just any turbo, but a KKK unit that turned it into a bona fide supercar chaser. The result? A 4.4-liter V8 with twin turbos that pumps out a blistering 600 horsepower. That’s enough to make your morning commute feel like a lap around the Nürburgring.
Back then, this kind of power in a luxury car was unheard of. The B7 Turbo could blast from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds, which was mind-blowing for a car that could comfortably carry four adults in style. But the real magic was how Alpina kept all that power under wraps—literally. The B7 Turbo looked almost identical to a regular 7 Series, with just a few subtle hints like Alpina’s signature multi-spoke wheels, a front spoiler, and those iconic Alpina stripes. It was the ultimate sleeper car.
Of course, Alpina didn’t just focus on straight-line speed. They tweaked the suspension so you could switch from a cushy ride to a corner-hugging thrill at the push of a button. Inside, the B7 is all about the details. We’re talking hand-stitched leather, custom Alpina badging, and every tech feature you could dream of.
What really set the Alpina B7 Turbo apart, though, was its exclusivity. Alpina didn’t mass-produce these beasts; each one was carefully crafted and finished by hand. It’s the kind of car that makes you part of a member's only club—no flashy logos or over-the-top styling needed. It’s all about being effortlessly cool. Trust us, once you get behind the wheel, there’s no turning back.
*All images & copyright belong to the original owner unless otherwise stated*
To get the full story, we need to go back to '77 — a time when bell-bottoms were the height of fashion, disco was everywhere, and cars were all about muscle and flair. It was in this groovy era that one car quietly shook up the idea of what a performance sedan could be. BMW had just dropped the E12 7 Series, their new flagship model. This thing was a big deal—a sleek luxury ride built to take on the heavy hitters like Mercedes-Benz. But for Alpina, the E12 was just the beginning.
Let’s break it down. The small but mighty German tuner, Alpina B7 took the sexy 7 Series and thought — what if we made this thing a rocket? They started with the 3.0-liter inline-six engine from the 733i, already a solid piece of machinery. But Alpina doesn’t settle for “solid”—they go for spectacular. So, they slapped on a turbocharger. And not just any turbo, but a KKK unit that turned it into a bona fide supercar chaser. The result? A 4.4-liter V8 with twin turbos that pumps out a blistering 600 horsepower. That’s enough to make your morning commute feel like a lap around the Nürburgring.
Back then, this kind of power in a luxury car was unheard of. The B7 Turbo could blast from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds, which was mind-blowing for a car that could comfortably carry four adults in style. But the real magic was how Alpina kept all that power under wraps—literally. The B7 Turbo looked almost identical to a regular 7 Series, with just a few subtle hints like Alpina’s signature multi-spoke wheels, a front spoiler, and those iconic Alpina stripes. It was the ultimate sleeper car.
Of course, Alpina didn’t just focus on straight-line speed. They tweaked the suspension so you could switch from a cushy ride to a corner-hugging thrill at the push of a button. Inside, the B7 is all about the details. We’re talking hand-stitched leather, custom Alpina badging, and every tech feature you could dream of.
What really set the Alpina B7 Turbo apart, though, was its exclusivity. Alpina didn’t mass-produce these beasts; each one was carefully crafted and finished by hand. It’s the kind of car that makes you part of a member's only club—no flashy logos or over-the-top styling needed. It’s all about being effortlessly cool. Trust us, once you get behind the wheel, there’s no turning back.
*All images & copyright belong to the original owner unless otherwise stated*