OK Some news on progress of the Alpine and its A424 LMDh
But this story is slightly different to other recent Alpine news in other categories... the only firing here revolves around the firing up of the engine and its positive progression as a project. All the pieces and components are in place, what testing that can be done virtually has been and actual shakedown testing is imminent.
I have to say as a look it is quite tasty and I hope the look is transformed into performance.
I like the way the rear lights form the Alpine logo.
First Shakedown Imminent For Alpine A424 LMDh
French manufacturer Alpine’s forthcoming full-season programme in the FIA WEC’s Hypercar category is coming together fast. Its new A424 LMDh has completed a successful fire-up ahead of its first shakedown test.
The car, which was revealed at Le Mans with the presentation of the A424_β showcar, completed its first fire up on July 5th. Behind the scenes, the car’s 675bhp single-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 has spent time running on dynos and Alpine says is close to finalising its configuration after extensive work with partner Mecachrome.
The engine is now also coupled to an Xtrac gearbox, which recently arrived at partner ORECA’s workshops to be integrated into the first A424 chassis. After it arrived in Signes, the team focused on finalising the assembly, validating the electrical, electronic and hybrid systems and the A424’s operating procedures.
In addition, the team has also been completing simulator sessions to work on its onboard software and tyres ahead of its first shakedown on track. An initial simulation of its racing processes that focused on the car’s configuration, data, telemetry and communications, was also conducted over two days on the sim.
The next major step for the car is its first two shakedowns, which will take place this month.
Following the two planned runs, the Signatech team, with assistance from Alpine’s Racing engineering staff, will take the A424 out for its first major test. Before the end of the year, Alpine is set to run the car at Circuit Paul Ricard, Motorland Aragón, Jerez and Portimão.
Alpine will also be working on the car’s final homologation as 2024 approaches, in collaboration with the FIA and IMSA.
“We are really looking forward to seeing the Alpine A424 on track for the first time,” said Bruno Famin, the vice president of Alpine Motorsports.
“It will really come to life after months of hard work behind the scenes by the Alpine Racing teams alongside our partners. The programme is proceeding according to plan, with the first fire-up and our first simulator sessions.
“We are now entering a phase where the target is to understand our package so that we can fine-tune it, improve its reliability, optimise it in all areas and evaluate our different technical options. The steps we have already taken were only the first milestones, and the bulk of the work remains.
“The Alpine Racing and Signatech teams will use all their recognised skills to launch this development process over the summer and beyond.”
.
https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/08/ ... -lmdh.html,
,
