From Concept To Reality: Alpine's Alpenglow Hy4 To Hit The Road!

Alpine transformed its 2022 Alpenglow idea into a driveable prototype, the Alpenglow Hy4. The revamped supercar will conduct demonstration laps at this weekend's Spa 6 Hours before making its official premiere at Le Mans in June.

Alpine promises to transform the Hy4's 335 horsepower (340 PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine into a hydrogen-powered V6 when they unveil the second prototype at the end of the year.

Alpine pumps H2 dihydrogen into the combustion chambers at a pressure of 40 bar (580 ps), combining it with water injection to minimize NOx emissions. Three tanks, one on each side of the cockpit and one behind, supply it at a pressure of 700 bar (10,150 ps). The Alpenglow can reach a high speed of 168 mph (270 km/h) because of its inline-four engine, which can spin at 7,000 rpm.

This engine is a hydrogen adaptation of an existing ICE motor from Renault/Alpine, with the next V6 engine specifically designed for hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel-cell electric technology isn't Alpine's first priority. The company claims that its particular power, lower cooling needs, and resemblance to a gasoline-chomping combustion engine make it a viable choice for racing applications.

While Alpine has remained silent on the matter, it has stated that it is closely monitoring regulatory changes in the racing industry and emphasized that Le Mans will allow hydrogen vehicles starting in 2027, and Formula One could potentially utilize this fuel by 2031. Furthermore, it suggests that road-going sports vehicles could potentially transition to hydrogen, aligning with Luca de Meo's last-year suggestions that Alpine was working on a hypercar.

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