born to win
Alpine A442 B
LE
MANS
78
LE
MANS
78
A successor of the Alpine A440 and A441, Alpine A442 entered the Prototypes World Championship in 1975, where it won a number of pole positions. It was known above all for clinching victory at the 24 Heures du Mans on 10 and 11 June, 1978, in its A442B version.
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spirit
THE ROAD
TO VICTORY
THE ROAD
TO VICTORY
In 1973, Alpine decided to return to high-level circuit competitions. The brand launched A440, a blue spitfire that tore up the tracks in 1973. The following year, the model evolved to the A441, equipped with a turbo engine and a yellow and black body (Renault colours). Alpine raced two consecutive years at the 24 Heures du Mans with Renault Alpine A442, then developing Renault Alpine A442 B, specially designed for the flagship race of the world endurance championship. At the checkered flag, a historic victory.
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interior
DRIVERS, START
YOUR ENGINES!
DRIVERS, START
YOUR ENGINES!
Renault Alpine A 442 B was equipped with a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine inline 90°, 1996 cc achieving 500 hp. With this engine it could approach 360 kph. And despite almost 200 cc less than Renault Alpine A443, it was the more aerodynamic A442 B version that pulled off the 1978 victory.
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original soundtrack
LISTEN TO
THIS PLAYLIST
LISTEN TO
THIS PLAYLIST
The sounds of Renault Alpine A442 B are reminiscent of the race track, Le Mans and competitive racing.
style
GENIUS
BUBBLE
GENIUS
BUBBLE
To offset the 200 cc less than on the engine of its successor, A443, Renault Alpine A442 B retained a “bubble” positioned above the cockpit, which improved aerodynamics and helped raise speed by 5 to 6 kph (which is decisive in a competition) on the Mulsanne Straight (Le Mans circuit), achieving a top speed of around 360 kph. The choice was a wise one!
exploits
BEYOND
BORDERS
BEYOND
BORDERS
In keeping the bubble (contrary to the A443 crew), drivers Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud suffered diabolical conditions, since the passenger compartment was no longer ventilated and the temperature soared. And the holes in the doors and the air inlet tube did not really improve driving conditions. The drivers won a victory although Pironi fell ill, only joining his co-pilot on the podium after a heart massage!
technical features
500 HP
ENGINE
500 HP
ENGINE
- production
single model
- Performance and engine
Turbocharged 6 cylinders inline at 90°
1996 cc, 500 hp
around 360 kph
- dimensionsLength 4,80 mWidth 1,84 mHeight 2 ,35 m
- architecture
two-seater barquette group 6
rear-wheel drive
tubular chassis
The Originals Store
COMPETITIVE
SPIRIT
COMPETITIVE
SPIRIT
To get in touch with your competitive spirit, come and discover Renault Alpine A442 B products.
heritage
A FITTING END
A FITTING END
The very evening of the 1978 Le Mans race and the magnificent victory of Pironi and Jassaud, Bernard Hanon, head of Renault, announced the end of the endurance programme, making way for Formula 1. A new chapter began, and what a chapter!
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