Car comparison

Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat SwitchtronicvsMercedes-Benz S-class (W140) · Facelift 1994 S 600 V12

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison
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Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) · Facelift 1994

S 600 V12

394 hp5987 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1995-1998

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.4 s
  • Fastest top speed
    290 km/h
    180 mph Unrestricted
    280 km/h
    174 mph Restricted
  • Lightest
    2,035 kg
    4,486 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    190 hp/t
    142 kW/t
    5.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    11.9 L/100 km
    19.8 mpg US
    23.7 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    798 km
    496 mi
  • Best overall score
    72/100
  • Best performance score
    71/100
  • Best economy score
    75/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelAlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat SwitchtronicMercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
387hp289kW
394hp294kW
Torque
560Nm413lb-ft
570Nm420lb-ft
Curb weight
2,035kg4,486lb
2,180kg4,806lb
Gross weight
2,495kg5,501lb
2,710kg5,975lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
290 km/h180 mph
Restricted
280 km/h174 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
76.2s99% target: 287 km/h / 178 mph
Calculated
68.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.4s
6.6s
0-200 km/h
18.4s
Calculated
20.2s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.1s
Calculated
6.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.9L/100 km19.8mpg US23.7mpg UK
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
24.5L/100 km9.6mpg US11.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.2s
Calculated
14.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
190hp/t142kW/t86hp/1000 lb
Calculated
181hp/t135kW/t82hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
275Nm/t184lb-ft/ton
Calculated
261Nm/t175lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
798km496mi
Calculated
592km368mi
Calculated
Displacement
5,646cc345cu in
5,987cc365cu in
Length
4,984mm196in
5,113mm201in
Width
1,862mm73in
1,886mm74in
Height
1,415mm56in
1,486mm59in
Wheelbase
2,930mm115in
3,040mm120in
Front track
1,552mm61in
1,606mm63in
Rear track
1,554mm61in
1,579mm62in
Trunk volume
500L
525L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
95L
100L

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat SwitchtronicMercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12PowerTorque
  • Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic5,200 rpm4,100 rpm5,450 rpm
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V125,200 rpm3,800 rpm5,450 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricAlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat SwitchtronicMercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.1 s
6.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.4 s
6.6 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.4 s
20.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
290 km/h180 mph
Restricted
280 km/h174 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.6 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.1 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.2 s
14.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
174 km/h
108 mph
169 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12 has 7 hp more than Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic.

The biggest power difference is between Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: 7 hp (5 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
Unrestricted
290 km/h180 mph
Restricted
280 km/h174 mph
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Although Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12 has more power, Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: 0.2 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic and Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12: 5.0 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
190 hp/t
142 kW/t
5.3 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
181 hp/t
135 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
387 hp
289 kW
6.4 s
Unrestricted
290 km/h180 mph
Restricted
280 km/h174 mph
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
394 hp
294 kW
6.6 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
Power
387 hp
289 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
290 km/h180 mph
Restricted
280 km/h174 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,984 mm
196.2 in
Height
1,415 mm
55.7 in
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
394 hp
294 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
525 L
18.5 cu ft
Length
5,113 mm
201.3 in
Height
1,486 mm
58.5 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
Power
387 hp
289 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
290 km/h180 mph
Restricted
280 km/h174 mph
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
394 hp
294 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK

Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
6.4 s
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK
6.6 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
AlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
190 hp/t
142 kW/t
5.3 kg/hp
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
181 hp/t
135 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleAlpinaB12 (E38)5.7 i V12 E-Kat SwitchtronicMercedes-BenzS-class (W140)Facelift 1994S 600 V12
Power
387 hp
289 kW
394 hp
294 kW
Torque
560 Nm
413 lb-ft
570 Nm
420 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.4 s
6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
290 km/h180 mph
Restricted
280 km/h174 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
2,035 kg
4,486 lb
2,180 kg
4,806 lb
Fuel consumption
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
16.9 L/100 km
13.9 mpg US
16.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,984 mm
196.2 in
Height
1,415 mm
55.7 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
525 L
18.5 cu ft
Length
5,113 mm
201.3 in
Height
1,486 mm
58.5 in
Range score
798 km
496 mi
592 km
368 mi
Trunk score
500 L
17.7 cu ft
525 L
18.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
190 hp/t
142 kW/t
5.3 kg/hp
181 hp/t
135 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleAlpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat SwitchtronicMercedes-Benz S-class (W140) Facelift 1994 S 600 V12
Consumption11.9 L/100 km19.8 mpg US23.7 mpg UK16.9 L/100 km13.9 mpg US16.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.83 LC100 km29.57 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.51 LC100 mi47.60 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,785 L472 US gal393 UK gal2,535 L670 US gal558 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,124 LC/year4,436 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic

  • Is 145 kg lighter
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 25 km/h (16 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 5.0 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 9 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 207 km (128 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic
Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) S 600 V12
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Alpina B12 (E38) 5.7 i V12 E-Kat Switchtronic vs Mercedes-Benz S-class (W140) · Facelift 1994 S 600 V12 - car comparison - FastVsFaster