Racing and sportscar manufacturer Alpine has unveiled its endurance prototype that will be entered in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours and the 2013 Le Mans Series season.
Powered by a 500 HP Nissan V8 engine mated to a six-speed sequential X-Trac gearbox, the No. 36 Alpine racer weighs only 900 kg (1,984 lbs) and can reach a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).
The Alpine-Nissan developed vehicle will be driven by French drivers Nelson Panciatici, Pierre Ragues and Tristan Gommendy in six events this year, meaning five ELMS rounds and the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours set to start on June 23. The official test session for this season's Le Mans Series will be held on March 26-27 in France.
"Since the announcement of Alpine’s revival on November 5 last year, we have been moving forward step by step," said Societe des Automobiles Alpine-Caterham's CEO Bernard Ollivier. “The unveiling of this splendid car marks the beginning of another phase. It will turn a wheel for the first time very soon, and its maiden race will follow shortly afterwards. The news of our endurance racing programme received a very positive welcome, not only from diehard Alpine enthusiasts, but also from the world of motor racing in general. We can hardly wait to see our brand’s colours in action!”
2013 marks Alpine's return to endurance racing after an absence of 35 years. God speed!
The Alpine-Nissan developed vehicle will be driven by French drivers Nelson Panciatici, Pierre Ragues and Tristan Gommendy in six events this year, meaning five ELMS rounds and the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours set to start on June 23. The official test session for this season's Le Mans Series will be held on March 26-27 in France.
"Since the announcement of Alpine’s revival on November 5 last year, we have been moving forward step by step," said Societe des Automobiles Alpine-Caterham's CEO Bernard Ollivier. “The unveiling of this splendid car marks the beginning of another phase. It will turn a wheel for the first time very soon, and its maiden race will follow shortly afterwards. The news of our endurance racing programme received a very positive welcome, not only from diehard Alpine enthusiasts, but also from the world of motor racing in general. We can hardly wait to see our brand’s colours in action!”
2013 marks Alpine's return to endurance racing after an absence of 35 years. God speed!