Alpine has revealed its future hypercar for endurance racing's premier category, the Alpine A424_β. The French brand, part of the Renault Group, aims to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2024 with this electric beast that promises to deliver over 1000 horsepower and a top speed of over 200 mph.
The Alpine A424_β is a precursor to the final hypercar that Alpine will race at Le Mans and other iconic circuits. It is based on the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo concept that was created for the video game Gran Turismo 6 in 2015. The design features a sleek and futuristic bodywork with a low and wide stance, a large rear wing, and a distinctive blue and orange livery.
The Alpine A424_β is powered by a hybrid system that combines a turbocharged V6 engine with two electric motors, one on each axle. The engine is derived from the Renault E-Tech power unit that is used in Formula 1, while the electric motors are developed by Alpine's partner Williams Advanced Engineering. The battery pack is located behind the cockpit and has a capacity of 40 kWh.
The A424_β is designed to comply with the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) regulations that will come into effect in 2024. These rules aim to make endurance racing more sustainable, affordable, and competitive by limiting the car's power output, weight, aerodynamics, and fuel consumption. The LMH cars will also have to share some common elements with road-going models, such as the chassis, engine, and hybrid system.
Alpine's CEO Laurent Rossi said that the A424_β is a "dream come true" for the brand and its fans. "We have always wanted to compete at the highest level of motorsport with a car that reflects our DNA: passion, innovation, and excellence. The A424_β is the result of years of hard work and collaboration with our partners and suppliers. It is a true Alpine: agile, efficient, and electrifying."