After a twenty year absence ALPINA has announced it is to return to international motor sport.
The manufacturer will field a race car based on the BMW ALPINA B6S in the FIA GT3 European Championship, as well as major endurance events.
ALPINA notched up numerous European Touring Car Championships and Nürburgring 24 hour wins, as well as the 24 Hours of Spa in 1970 in the hands of F1 and Touring Car drivers such as Niki Lauda, Jacky Ickx, Hans Stuck and Dieter Quester.
As in the 1970s, ALPINA will also sell race cars to individual campaigners, collectors and race teams.
ALPINA boss Andreas Bovensiepen said: ‘We think the BMW 6 Series - especially with the massive torque of the supercharged 4.4 litre V8 ALPINA engine from the B6S (530hp, 725 Nm) - provides the ideal basis to challenge pure-bred sports cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin within the framework of GT3 regulations.’
Bovensiepen has his own history in racing and will oversee the project.
‘ALPINA's new participation in the sport is part of a strategy of consistent growth and brand development,’ he added.
‘In particular, GT3 provides the opportunity to raise awareness in new markets cost effectively and without compromising the exclusivity of the marque.’