The name Alpine used to be synonymous with endurance racing and now, after a 35-year absence, they have revealed their 2013 Le Mans racer named "Alpine No36", which is built in collaboration with Nissan and Signatech.
It uses a 4.5-liter V8 engine, sourced from the Japanese automaker, which puts out 500 hp. Weight is kept down to 900 kg (1984 lbs) and top speed is rated at 330 km/h, but it really depends on what gear ratios the team of mechanics decides to use for each racing venue.
They are openly admitting that this is part of the re-emergence of the Alpine brand, and they want to make the name heard again, before they debut their first road car, which is set to debut in 2016, and is being developed by Renault, with the help of Caterham.
Before starting to compete at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), the car will make its public debut around the modern Paul Ricard track, in France, on March 26-27. That is when the official ELMS test days have been programmed.
Alpine has already chosen the drivers, and they are Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues for the ELMS, while Tristan Gommendy will also join them for the 24 hours race.
By Andrei Nedelea
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