Alpina returns to racing

After a 20-year absence, Alpina has announced its return to international motor sport. The German manufacturer, which is best known for its high-performance versions of BMWs, is going to race a car based on the BMW Alpina B6S in the FIA GT3 Championship as well as major endurance events.

Alpina boss Andreas Bovensiepen thinks it has the potential to challenge many of the series’ front-runners. “The BMW 6 Series, especially with the massive torque of the 4.4-litre V8 Alpina engine from the B6S, provides the ideal basis to challenge Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin,” he said.

When Alpina last raced, drivers such as Niki Lauda, Jacky Ickx, Hans Stuck and Dieter Quester won numerous European Touring Car Championships and Nürburgring 24 Hour races for the marque, as well as the Spa 24 Hours in 1970.