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Today, Alpine unveiled it’s 2017 LMP2 car, the A470. This will be the weapon used to defend it’s 2016 World Endurance Championship titles. This season brings significant rule changes regarding chassis and engine suppliers to the LMP2 class. Oreca, one of four homologated chassis suppliers for 2017, will continue their partnership with the team. Gibson will be supplying the same naturally aspirated 4.0L 600hp V8 engines to the entire LMP2 field this year. This is 50hp more than the 4.5L Renault V8 that Alpine used in 2016. The changes were made to ensure that the LMP2 class remained both affordable and competitive. With all LMP2 teams using the same power plant, the chassis suppliers and aerodynamicists will be working overtime to give their teams an edge.
Alpine’s advantage will be in their longstanding relationship with Oreca, with whom they have won titles with in 2013, 2014, and 2016. The 2017 car uses many of the same components from last year, but the aerodynamic package has been developed and improved. This car looks sleeker and much more aggressive than last year’s. There are more curves and cutaways in the body. The nose is slimmer with a much larger opening on the front splitter. Alpine have produced what looks to be an amazing LMP2 car, but we won’t really know until it hits the track in just a few days for testing.
Alpine will be fielding two A470s in 2017. Nicolas Lapierre, Gustavo Menezes and Matt Rao will be piloting the No. 36 while Nelson Panciatici, Pierre Ragues and André Negrão will have the No. 35 car. The championship defending No. 36 car will be in it to win it all season, staring at the 6 Hours of Silverstone on April 16. The No. 35 will joining the action starting in round two of the WEC season on May 6th at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
