Alpina will try to polish its image and its motor sports pride when it enters its 6 series based B6 GT3 in the 2009 FIA European Championship next year fielding its own team, along with participating in a handful of high profile endurance races. The Alpina B6 S road car is the basis for the 2008 Alpina B6 GT3, and comes with a supercharged 4.4 liter V8 dolling out 530 hp, 725Nm and 535 lb. ft. of torque. That is more than enough to make it competitive with the rest of the field like Aston Martins, Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The B6 GT3 is not exclusively for Alpina's own works team. They plan to sell race ready versions to private teams and collectors who can afford the price tag.
Well known F1 and Touring Car drivers such as Niki Lauda, Jacky Ickx, Hans Stuck and Dieter Quester were behind an Alpina steering wheel on their winning three European Touring Car Championships. Alpina pilots also won the Nurburgring 24 Hours many a times and the 24 Hours of Spa in 1970. "We think that the BMW 6 Series, especially with the super charged, torque laden 4.4 liter V8 Alpina engine from the B6 S (530 HP, 725 Nm) provides the ideal basis to challenge pure bred sports cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin within the framework of GT3 regulations", said Andreas Bovensiepen, Alpina proprietor. After 20 years staying out of racing, Alpina will field a factory team, running the 2008 Alpina B6 GT3 in the 2009 FIA GT3 European Championship.
