Alpina B6 GT3 Launches at the Geneva Motor Show

Alpina B6 GT3 in Geneva / Sebastian Geisler

The B6 GT3 features a 4.4 liter V8 with a sizzling 530 hp and 725 Nm of torque

By Alex Ricciuti
March 4, 2009 8:30 PM
Filed Under: BMW, Geneva Motor Show, German, Motorsport, Specialty Marques, Tuners

ALPINA will be returning to the track for the first time in 20 years to race in the FIA European GT3 championship. And they will be bringing their new BMW ALPINA B6 GT3 to compete against the likes of GT3 racers from Aston Martin, Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari.

Based on the BMW 6-Series, the B6 GT3 touring car racer features a 4.4 liter V8 with a sizzling 530 hp and 725 Nm of torque achieved by means of radial compression - a technology nicked from the BMW ALPINA B6 S road car.

"Due to the low centre of gravity, it feels more like a Formula race car than a Touring Car," says test driver Andreas Bovensiepen in the ALPINA press release. The car is currently undergoing testing while preparing for the 2009 racing season and has made a stop at the Geneva auto show for its first public outing.

The BMW ALPINA B6 GT3 will also be made available for other racing teams and will compete in additional circuits including national GT3 races in Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Belgium and Brazil, the VLN endurance series at Nürburgring, and several 24-hour endurance competitions.

Source: Alpina

Press Release (Click to expand)

Successfully Launched: The ALPINA B6 GT3

After a 20-year hiatus, ALPINA celebrate their return to racing with the BMW ALPINA B6 GT3, to compete in the FIA European GT3 championship - a relatively new racing series in which 12 renowned automotive brands, such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, compete. Based on the BMW 6 Series, ALPINA have developed a competitive weapon for touring-car racing that will be offered to clients, collectors and race teams alike. Furious forward pace is provided by the 4.4-litre V8 with radial compressor, taken from the BMW ALPINA B6 S. It yields 530 horsepower and 725Nm of torque.

Just a few days ago, upon completion of the first BMW ALPINA B6 GT3, the roll-out of B6 GT3 took place. The race car debuted in freezing temperatures, yet mastered its first 300km brilliantly. "We were surprised by how free of problems this maiden shake-down went," commented ALPINA Proprietor Andreas Bovensiepen, who split driving duties with Claudia Hürtgen. "Due to the low centre of gravity, it feels more like a Formula race car than a Touring Car," said Andreas, summing up his first positive impressions.The next tests are scheduled for this week in France, before the B6 GT3 makes its first public appearance at the Salon d'Automobile in Geneva in early March.ALPINA will field two race cars in the FIA GT3 European Championship, and negotiations with interesting auto-racing personalities intended to fill the four race seats are on-going.Race cars are planned for customer race teams, and will compete in the FIA GT3 European Championship, as well as in national GT3 races in Belgium, Brazil, Germany, England, France and Italy. The VLN-sanctioned endurance series at the Nürburgring is also planned, as well as selected 24-hour endurance races.