If you're an endurance racing fan, you know Le Mans is the ultimate challenge. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest and most prestigious sports car race, held annually since 1923 at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. It is a test of speed, reliability, strategy, and stamina, where the best drivers and teams compete for glory and history.
But if you're a fan of endurance racing, you also know that Le Mans is changing. The rules and regulations of the race are constantly evolving to adapt to new technologies, environmental concerns, and market demands. The race is no longer dominated by internal combustion engines but by hybrid and electric powertrains. The race is no longer a battle between traditional manufacturers but by newcomers and disruptors. The race is no longer a showcase of the past but a vision of the future.
That's why I'm excited about the Alpine A424_β.
The Alpine A424_β is an electric hypercar that will compete in the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) category, which replaces the previous LMP1 class as the top tier of endurance racing. The LMH category allows for more design freedom, performance diversity, and cost efficiency than the LMP1 class while maintaining high safety and sustainability standards. The LMH category aims to attract more manufacturers and fans to the sport by creating cars that are closer to road-going models and more relevant to the modern world.
The Alpine A424_β is one of the first cars to enter the LMH category, along with rivals from Toyota, Peugeot, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, and others. It is based on the Alpine A424 concept car unveiled in 2020, inspired by the legendary Alpine A442B that won Le Mans in 1978. The Alpine A424_β retains the sleek and aerodynamic shape of the concept car but with some modifications to meet the LMH regulations. It also features a striking blue and white livery that pays tribute to Alpine's racing heritage.
