Alpine A450 christened
Renault pays respect to its motor racing roots by naming its new prototype race car the A450Renault's new sports car brand, Alpine, has confirmed the name of its new endurance racing prototype car, the Alpine A450. The swoopy-looking speed demon will contest the demanding Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race this year, along with five other races in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).
The aerodynamic prototype sports car's name references the Alpine brand's famous sports cars of the 1970s, including the A442B, a 370kW 2.0-litre turbo V6 which won the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1978.
Alpine's push into the upper echelons of motor sport precedes its return to production cars in 2016, when the company will reveal its first road-going sports car in 20 years. Renault has formed a partnership with British niche sports car company Caterham to develop its next generation super cars.
The A610 from 1995 was Alpine's last production model, however Renault has revealed a concept car at the 2012 Monaco F1 Grand Prix, the Alpine A110-50.
"Alpine's return to motor racing marks the beginning of a new adventure for this legendary brand," says Renault's chief operating officer, Carlos Tavares.
"Although our focus is very much on the future, with the development of a new car which is due to reach the market in 2016, we have not forgotten Alpine's extraordinary heritage."
The '50' part of the A450 name denotes the fiftieth anniversary of Alpine's first ever entry in the Le Mans 24 Hours, and the company is hoping history will repeat when it contests the famous race in late June.
"The name Alpine A450 stood out as a natural choice for this prototype which will contest the ELMS and the Le Mans 24 Hours. It pays tribute to the A441, A442 and A443 which raced at and – in the case of the A442B – won at Le Mans in the 1970s.
"The figure '50' symbolises the fiftieth anniversary of Alpine’s first official entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours," explained Tavares.
The Renault-Gordini powered Alpine A442B won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1978, its third attempt, but having achieved the motorsport milestone Renault pulled out of sports car endurance racing to focus on Formula 1.
Renault's top brass will be hoping the that newly-developed race car can deliver the goods in 2013 and beyond, and while the car's chassis has been developed by Alpine the engine is supplied by Renault's sister company Nissan, a 373kW V8.
The Alpine A450 will be run by French race team Signatech in the ELMS with drivers Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues at the helm. A third driver will be rostered on for the Le Mans 24 Hours, Tristan Gommendy.
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