Alpine Alpenglow Hy4: the ultimate hydrogen-powered hypercar, ready to race at Spa

In another step in its effort to develop future mobility technologies, and under the spotlight of the 2022 Paris Motor Show, Alpine presented the concept car Alpenglow, the “mother of all future Alpines“. This model symbolised the brand’s studies on the hydrogen combustion engine and its incorporation into sports cars, contributing to decarbonisation.

The first opportunity to witness the power of the Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 in action will be on 11 May 2024, at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where it will be shown to an audience of more than 70,000 motorsport fans, to demonstrate once again how hydrogen-powered internal combustion technology can maintain the excitement and performance of a true race car.

Alpine does not focus its contribution to sustainability solely on racing. Through HYVIA, a joint venture with Plug, Renault Group offers light commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, such as the Renault Master Van H2 Tech, together with recharging stations and fleet maintenance services. But that is not all: Renault Group is also working on hybrid technologies that combine electric motors with hydrogen-powered range extenders.

The brand is preparing to launch seven new electric models by 2030, starting with the A290, a sporty city car that marks the beginning of the electric era in the Alpine Dream Garage.

An exterior that enhances safety

The Alpine Alpenglow is a concept car with which the company intends to show the direction the brand is taking and to set a standard for future models. Among its most notable improvements over its predecessor are a redesigned impact absorber, a redesigned front splitter to improve airflow, and new NACA air intakes for cooling, an enlarged two-seat cabin and increased height, while the fuel tanks remain in their traditional location in the side sponsons and behind the cabin.

It has a width of 2.15 m and a length of 5.20 m, offering ideal proportions for performance. This connection with the racing line is emphasised by the reference to the Alpine A424, the prototype built to compete in the Hypercar category of the World Endurance Championship.

It features front lights shaped as luminous particles and a magenta spine line. The colour transition from magenta at the front to blue at the rear, together with the vertical lights and the titanium exhaust outlets, symbolises the hydrogen and water vapour elements emitted during combustion. We also see gradient-coloured wheels, forged carbon elements and several details that are not immediately visible, such as the exposed suspension and a lower air intake that opens towards the cabin.

An incredible interior aesthetic for a supercar

The interior design of the Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 focuses on functionality and aesthetics, with distinctive features that set it apart from other vehicles, such as the new scissor-type doors that open in an innovative way and the bucket seats moulded for the driver and passenger, allowing them to slide comfortably in from the inclined side sponsons.

At the front of the cabin there is a triangle that serves as a distinctive visual element while also providing information to the driver, such as real-time G-force levels or engine speed, changing colour depending on the situation. The dashboard design combines high-quality materials such as carbon fibre, aluminium and Alcantara, with details such as a magenta tubular crossbar and buttons taken from the Alpine A110.

340 hp hydrogen engine

The engine of the Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 has a carbon monocoque structure, with a 4-cylinder engine in line, 2.0-litre turbocharged, producing 340 CV (250 kW) and running on hydrogen. This engine is fed by direct injection at 40 bar of pressure and water injection to reduce NOx emissions, delivering performance comparable to traditional petrol engines.

Safety is also a priority, with hydrogen tanks certified under Regulation 134, rapid fire-evacuation valves and colour-coded warning systems for the driver and emergency services.

Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 image gallery