Geneva 2009: BMW Alpina B6 GT3 puts the 'Ring on notice
by Noah Joseph on Mar 5th 2009 at 10:27AM 
BMW tuner par excellence Alpina is returning to the motor racing scene for the first time in two decades with the new B6 GT3, which the pseudo-works firm unveiled for the first time here at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the 6 Series, the B6 GT3 features a unique radial supercharger fitted to its 4.4-liter V8 to drive 530 horsepower to the rear wheels – in proper Bavarian style – in what looks to be a compelling competition package.
Alpina itself will be fielding a pair in the European FIA GT3 series and at "selected 24-hour endurance races" (Nurburgring, Le Mans... we're looking at you), but the B6 GT3 will also be offered to private teams. Alpina has fitted adjustable everything to the car and a full array of electronic control systems to ensure that gentlemen racers – not just professional drivers – will be able to handle it and so that the car will qualify for a wide array of racing series. We're looking forward to seeing the green menace tackling the Green Hell soon, but in the meantime had to content ourselves with checking it out at Alpina's show stand here in Geneva where it was displayed alongside the new B7 Bi-Turbo, which we'll have for you shortly. In the meantime, click on the thumbnails below to view our gallery from the show floor and follow the jump for a brief press release.Gallery: Geneva 2009: BMW Alpina B6 GT3
Gallery: Alpina B6 GT3
Photos Copyright ©2009 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
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. 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.
At the end of January, 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.
ALPINA will field two race cars in the FIA GT3 European Championship. 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.
Let's all get excited about a spectacular race car and an thrilling season!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Quattroporte 10:38AM (3/05/2009)
"...horsepower to the rear wheels – in proper Bavarian style..."
Isn't Audi based in Bavaria?
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BigMcLargeHuge 11:00AM (3/05/2009)
"Alpina has fitted adjustable everything to the car and a full array of electronic control systems to ensure that gentlemen racers – not just professional drivers – will be able to handle it and so that the car will qualify for a wide array of racing series."
^ this is more like Bavarian-style
Metar 1:40PM (3/05/2009)
BMW are "the Bavarians", seeing as their name, Bayerische MotorWerke, essentially means "Bavarian Motorworks". Audi are based in Ingolstadt, also in Bavaria, too.
Tom Winch 10:28PM (3/05/2009)
Yeah, Ingolstadt (Audi's home) is in Bavaria also. And we'll have to see who comes out on top since there will be a couple privateer teams running Audi's R8 GT-3 car this season. And in true Bavarian style the R8 is rear wheel drive also, so as to comply with FIA GT-3 regs.
CJ 11:06AM (3/05/2009)
Awesome. It comes with a park bench on the back.
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abbas350 11:21PM (3/05/2009)
you're silly
Mobius_1 11:11AM (3/05/2009)
Sports car racing promises to be so full of awesome cars all competing with each other. Can't wait for LeMans.
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Dale 11:43AM (3/05/2009)
Last time I checked GT3 cars don't run at Le Mans. I'd put Spa-Francorchamps on the list of probably races, though.
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Robbie 12:29PM (3/05/2009)
Le Mans is only GT1 & GT2. So we will never see this car at Le Mans.
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neoscape 1:05PM (3/05/2009)
Boring. We saw press photos of this car this time last year.
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nagmashot 6:11PM (3/05/2009)
interesting... Alpina showed first renderings of the B6 GT3 in April 2008...and first pictures of the real car at the 5th Feb 09.... you have seen pictures it befor it was build...can you give me please the right numbers for next weekend lottery?