Alpina to debut B6 GT3 race car at Geneva motor show

Alpina has been tinkering with BMW vehicles for close to 50 years and has a rich motorsports history that includes campaigns in European touring car, hill climbing, rally and endurance racing that it stepped away from 20 years ago.

Now the racing bug has returned to Alpina with the announcement of its entry into the FIA GT3 European championship series. The BMW 6-series based B6 GT3 will have its first public showing at the Geneva motor show in March.

The Alpina B6 GT3 will have to contend with race versions of the Aston Martin DB9, the Ferrari F430, the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Jaguar XKR, the Porsche 911 and the Chevrolet Corvette.

Powering the B6 GT3 is a 4.4-liter supercharged V8 with 530 hp and 535 lb-ft of torque that is mated to a six-speed X-trac sequential gearbox.

Alpina says initial shakedown runs of the new car have been successful and that they are actively looking for drivers to fill the four open seats on the two-car team. Customer cars will be offered to interested teams in the European GT3 championship, other GT3 events in Belgium, Brazil, Germany, England, France and Italy, and select endurance events.

By Jonathan Wong