Alpine Reveals Updated Alpenglow Hydrogen Concept

Alpine has revealed an updated version of its hydrogen-powered Alpenglow concept car that will perform a demonstration run ahead of this weekend’s Spa round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Presented at the Belgian track on Friday morning, the Alpenglow Hy4 features several significant changes from the show car first shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2022.

Alpine has described the car, which is powered by a two-liter, inline four hydrogen internal combustion engine, as a “genuine rolling lab”, as it outlined a clear interest in racing hydrogen-powered machinery in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future.

Bruno Famin, VP Alpine Motorsports, commented: “As part of our active participation in decarbonising motorsports, we see the hydrogen internal combustion engine as an extremely promising solution.

“We know that hydrogen will be an essential step in decarbonizing the next generations of endurance cars, and could also be for Formula 1 cars, particularly by switching to liquid storage for greater compactness and performance.

“The Alpenglow prototype perfectly illustrates this, a genuine technological laboratory for developing tomorrow’s hydrogen engines.”

The version of the Alpenglow presented at Spa is powered by gaseous hydrogen, with the four-cylinder engine developing approximately 250 kW (335 horsepower), and is capable of a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph).

Alpine says the car is capable of covering 100 km (62 miles) in racing conditions, thanks to three 55-liter tanks, with the gas pressurized at 700 bar while in storage.

However, Famin revealed that Alpine is already working on a switch to liquid hydrogen, stating that the Hy4’s successor will be powered by a V6 engine.

“We are convinced this is the way for racing,” said Famin, noting the benefits of easier storage and a longer range compared with hydrogen gas, as well as the considerable challenges associated with storing hydrogen in liquid form.

Toyota made a similar switch last year with its hydrogen-powered Corolla that has so far made three outings in the Fuji 24 Hours in Japan.

Unlike the initial Alpenglow concept, the Hy4 is a two-seater, featuring proportions more similar to those of Hypercar machinery in terms of width and height.

Rallycross driver Guillaume de Ridder will take the wheel of the Alpenglow for Saturday morning’s demo run.