Alpina are about to make a welcome comeback to racing with their new Alpina B6 GT3, based on the BMW 6-Series. Having had a noticeable break from the scene in the past 20 years, the company are back again and ready to launch another successful campaign.
It’ll use the 4.4litre from the 645 CI but instead of the standard 333hp it’ll have 530hp (395kW) and 535ft-lb (725Nm) of torque. It’s also available to customers to purchase and race privately or add to their collections. Alpina still need to recruit a talented race team to help them compete in the 2009 FIA GT3 European Championship.
It’ll feature at the Geneva Auto Salon 2009 alongside another Alpina debut, the B7. We’ll be there, and will hopefully be able to share some photos with you from the show itself.
Press Release
ALPINA look back on a long and successful history in international motorsport.
ALPINA look back on a long and successful history in international motorsport. Well-known F1 and Touring Car drivers such as Niki Lauda, Jacky Ickx, Hans Stuck and Dieter Quester gripped an ALPINA steering wheel on their way to winning three European Touring Car Championships. ALPINA pilots also won the Nürburgring 24 Hours numerous times, as well as the 24 Hours of Spa in 1970.
“We think that the BMW 6 Series – especially with the super-charged, torque-laden 4,4 l V8 ALPINA engine from the B6 S (530 HP, 725 Nm) – provides the ideal basis to challenge pure-bred sportscars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin within the framework of GT3 regulations“, said Andreas Bovensiepen, ALPINA proprietor.
After 20 years out of racing, ALPINA will field a factory team, running the B6 GT3 in the 2009 FIA GT3 European Championship, our race car based on the BMW ALPINA B6 S road car. ALPINA will field its this team in the FIA GT3 European Championship, as well as racing in selected important endurance races.
The idea of going racing with street-based dream cars has proven to be a great success for drivers, spectators and manufacturers alike. With this involvement in racing, ALPINA will be able to raise awareness of the ALPINA brand, especially in markets new to ALPINA. With ten distinguished automotive marques, the GT3 Championship is the Crème de la Crème, and with starting grids of 45 cars in the European Championship and multiple national championships, quite compelling. ALPINA see a well-thought-out concept at relatively reasonable cost. With his long racing history, Andreas Bovensiepen sees the benefit racing can bring, and has been the initiator of the new GT3 project from the very beginning.
Much like in the 1970s, ALPINA will also sell BMW ALPINA B6 GT3 race cars to private parties, collectors and race teams. This motorsport engagement will be ALPINA’s fourth business venture. It marks another milestone in ALPINA’s strategy of consistent, enduring growth. In addition to the race cars, ALPINA have been manufacturing road-going BMW ALPINA automobiles for over 40 years, and maintain a flourishing business trading in renowned wines from world’s finest growing regions. A new engineering centre, absolutely state-of-the-art in terms of its machinery and capabilities, will soon be completed. This will allow ALPINA to more quickly bring its products to market and to offer its engineering services to third parties.
Alpina Race Team Openings
So that we may build up our race team and successfully develop the race version of the BMW ALPINA B6 GT3, we’re looking for candidates with experience in motorsport. Your commitment and drive for perfection are the basis for future success. We expect a high level of flexibility, including weekends… Interested? Then compete for one of the following positions:
1.Project Manager
2.Automotive Race Engineer – Suspension and Aerodynamic Set-Up- Vehicle engineer: drivetrain and engine bay packaging construction
3.Automotive Engineer – Development, Chassis/Aerodynamic Panels
4.Automotive Engineer – Development, Drivetrain/Engine Bay Packaging
5.Race Mechanic, preferably with Lorry driving Licence
6.Technician, testing equipment and electronics
7.Purchasing/Logistics/Quality Control Specialist
Alpina B6 GT3 – the best!!!
interesting choice of engine..
I suppose it had to be that engine to satisfy the criteria for racing.