Le Mans debut for Alpine Celebration show car

The spotlight is shining down on Alpine in the lead-up to the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours. Marking the occasion of the firm's 60th anniversary, the Renault-owned sporting brand is unveiling a new concept car and participating in the big race itself.

A purpose-built show car, the Alpine Celebration is taking to the famous track ahead of the race, led around the famous track by an original example of the A110 from the 1960s.

While visually the Celebration is a fairly faithful retro-style homage to the A110 sports car that was so successful in racing and rallying during the company's formative years, the show car is believed to run Clio RS mechanicals, with the engine driving the rear wheels.

"As we mark Alpine's 60th anniversary, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has generously granted us an exclusive opportunity to unveil the Alpine Celebration show car," says Alpine CEO, Bernard Ollivier.

"It will complete a lap of this legendary circuit. That's an immense honour for us and a genuinely emotional occasion. I have no doubt that this will be just as keenly appreciated by Alpine fans and the spectating public in general, some of whom might be discovering the brand for the first time. They will be left with a strong impression of the style and agility of the Alpine Celebration. I am sure they will associate this image with the values that we hold dear and the sporting flame that continues to drive and inspire us."

Alpine will also be competing in the 24-hour event, represented by the Signatech-Alpine A450b prototype.