Alpine presents its LMDh for the 24 2024 Hours of Le Mans

It's the big day for Alpine. The French manufacturer took advantage of the Centenary of 24 Hours of Le Mans to present the Hypercar which will represent the brand with the A arrow during the 2024 edition of the Sarthoise classic: the A424. The version presented in Sarthe is a “beta”, that is to say a final step before its launch. As expected, the Hypercar with the A arrow echoes the design of the Alpenglow concept car.

Introducing our Alpine A424 Beta, 2024 can't come soon enough!

We are excited to be joining the Hypercar grid from next season and to be fighting in such a competitive @FIAWEC field! #AlpineRacing #WEC @alpinecars pic.twitter.com/9aVRbCNMQP

— Alpine Racing (@Alpineracing) June 9, 2023

The nomenclature of A followed by three numbers starting with 4 respects the tradition of cars Alpine victorious in Endurance. 24 echoes the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as 2024. 

« Today we present to you theAlpine A424_β foreshadowing our Hypercar intended to challenge the biggest competitors next year, declares Laurent Red, the boss of the brand Alpine. Faithful to our values, this new prototype projects the A-shaped brand into the future while remaining in line with our creations, starting with Alpenglow and the A290_β. Racy, elegant and distinctive with its emblematic and iconic design, it embodies both our present and our future thanks to the involvement and investment of our designers in its development. »

The chassis is designed by Oreca, while the A424 will be powered by Mecachrome. “ Mecachrome has experience in Endurance and we have carried out many studies and principle tests from June 2022, develops Christophe Chapelain, chief engineer of the Hypercar-LMDh project.

This allowed us to analyze the advantages and disadvantages so that our engineering teams could Formula 1 establish specifications, define the architecture and calibrate the block for the desired performance range. The engineers of Viruses have been extremely involved in sharing their capabilities, resources and methods to improve power, reliability and materials.

To put it simply, it's a 6L single-turbo V3,4. We will have the distinction of being the only ones with this configuration. As required by the regulations for all competitors entered in LMDh, the engine will be coupled to an Xtrac gearbox, a standard Bosch hybrid box and a battery. Williams. Finally, it should be noted that the synergies with F1 are such that our LMDh software is strongly inspired by that of F1. The cost cap in F1 also works in our favor since it frees up bench hours, in addition to those available at Mecachrome. »

Two cars are expected in WEC in 2024. Operation of the cars will be ensured by Signatech. Alpine will also seek to attract other structures alongside its official Hypercar team in order to be able to play on several tables, including across the Atlantic in IMSA. The first start of the engine is scheduled for June 28, for debugging in the second half of July before continuing with the test sessions in August. A second car will be built in August to be sent to the United States for wind tunnel tests in mid-November.

In pictures: theAlpine A424_β

Information

FRAME

Structure : Carbon shell & honeycomb
Body : Carbon
Lamps : Double push triangles
Direction : Electric assistance
Length 5000mm
Width 1998mm
Height 1058mm
Wheelbase 3148mm
Mass : Approximately 1030 kg (according to BOP)

ENGINE

Configuration 6° single-turbo V90
Displacement 3 cm400
Maximum Power 500 kW / 675 horsepower
Maximum speed 9000 rpm
Hybridization Bosch standard / 50 kW
Lubrication Dry sump / stage oil pump
Electronic management Marelli

GEARBOX

Brand xtract
Type Transverse
Gear shift Steering wheel paddles and pneumatic control
Reports 7 + reverse

WHEELS

Tires AV Michelin 29-71/R18
AR tires Michelin 34-71/R18
Front rims 12.5''x18''
Rear rims 14''x18''

BRAKES

discs Carbon ventilated
Stirrups 6-piston monobloc

SECURITY

Harness Six points, suitable for Hans system
Tank-Jug Flexible secure with integrated reserve system

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