All but the most dedicated sportscar racing fans would be excused for not knowing the significance of 2023 to Alpine. But it’s a big one alright, marking both 60 years since its first Le Mans entry and 45 since Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud took overall victory behind the wheel of an A442. There was no better time, then, especially with Le Mans celebrating its centenary, for Alpine to show off its latest top-tier racing car - or the forerunner to it, at least. This is the A424_β, which from 2024 is set for the GTP class of IMSA in the USA and the Hypercar class of WEC. It’s been built with Oreca and Signatech; the A424_β - 4 like all the Alpine endurance racers, 24 for the year of its debut, _β because it’s the final pre-launch version - has been described by its makers as ‘the quintessence of Alpine’s automotive and racing artistry, both aesthetically and technically.’
The A424 _β will be an LMDh car, like the Porsche 963, Cadillac V-Series.R and BMW M Hybrid V8, as Alpine is keen to make an impact in the US market - LMDh makes that possible “with a more limited investment in engineering than the LMHs” - that’s from Bruno Famin, Alpine Racing SAS Executive Director. Common to all LMDh entrants are an Xtrac seven-speed sequential, Bosch 50kW hybrid system and a battery from Williams. The chassis is from Oreca (as all LMDh must use a control chassis supplied by Dallara, Ligier, Multimatic or Oreca).
Uniquely, however, the Alpine will be powered by a single turbo 3.4-litre V6, designed with Mecachrome. Apparently there are F1 synergies, too, with LMDh software ‘strongly inspired’ by Grand Prix racing (and lots of dyno hours freed up because of the Formula 1 cost cap). Though ultimately dependent on Balance of Performance, Alpine suggests that the A424 will be making 675hp, weigh around 1,030kg, and rev to 9,000rpm - nice.
Given Alpine suggests that this car is a ‘genuine racing prototype with the hallmarks of future production Alpines’, you’d have to assume that the design of the five-metre-long A424_ β won’t change a huge amount between now and 2024. That looks like a very good thing from here, with clear inspiration from the Alpenglow and A290_ β concepts creating a spectacular racing car. Most certainly an Alpine, too; even if the livery changes, those incredible light signatures will ensure all following it down La Sarthe will know exactly what the A424_ is. Chief designer for the project Raphael Linari said it was “an incredible honour and an immense privilege” to design this car, given it’s normally the job of engineering firms. “We’ve kept it as streamlined as possible to emancipate from the cube-like appearance typical of Le Mans prototypes”, he added. Naming no names, of course…
Having been back in endurance racing for a decade now with various LMP2 and LMP1 efforts, Alpine is targeting the top with the A424_ β. After all, its alliance with Signatech (that has been there since 2013) has secured it European and world titles, plus the collaboration has created the A110 race cars - including the Pikes Peak. “We all look forward to seeing the A424_β on track after so much development and hours on the test benches”, added Famin. “Now more than ever, Alpine is on its way to the top!” A first start is scheduled for June 28th, after which a shakedown should follow before the end of July, then testing in earnest from August at Paul-Ricard, Jerez, Aragon and Portimao. Alpine believes that its second car will be completed around then, too, which will go across the Atlantic for wind tunnel testing. Assuming all is tickety-boo there (and no delays are encountered), the A424 should be homologated by the FIA before 2023 is out. The first race of the WEC 2024 is the 6 Hours of Qatar in March…
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said of the A424: “This project has been a tremendous human adventure for nearly two years, promoting our ambitions beyond the racetrack. Our staff and partners are working tirelessly to ensure that the car is a resounding success. It is already one visually, and we are working hard to ensure it will also be a sporting success from next year.” Alpine will have its work cut out, for sure, especially with Lamborghini joining the grids in 2024 (and BMW making its way to WEC), but what exciting racing it promises to be. And just imagine the scenes if a French manufacturer could win at Le Mans again…
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