Tipo 312 was one of three Alfa Romeo cars designed for the new rules in 1938, which differed mainly by the engine; the other two cars were the Alfa Romeo Tipo 308 with straight-8 engine and Alfa Romeo Tipo 316 with a V16 engine.
Другие две модели, такие как Alfa Romeo Tipo 308 имела восьмицилиндровый рядный двигатель (L8), а Alfa Romeo Tipo 316 оснащалась двигателем V16.