Based mostly on an idea automobile first introduced on the 2022 Paris Motor Present, the 340 bhp Alpenglow Hy4 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder inside combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen.
That is at present saved in fuel kind in three tanks, however Alpine plans to modify to liquid storage which it believes might be higher built-in into the automobile and enhance refuelling speeds.
Demonstration runs of the Alpenglow Hy4 may also be made on the Le Mans 24 Hours subsequent month, earlier than a second rolling model with a brand new V6 engine is unveiled previous to the top of the yr.
Its launch is critical as an indicator of Alpine’s curiosity sooner or later hydrogen class that’s slated for the 2027 Le Mans 24 Hours, whereas the broader Renault Group is engaged in a sequence of initiatives for highway use to satisfy its carbon neutrality targets.
Alpine Motorsports vp Bruno Famin stated: “As a part of our energetic participation in decarbonising motorsports, we see the hydrogen inside combustion engine as an especially promising answer.
“We all know that hydrogen will likely be an important step in decarbonising the following generations of Endurance vehicles, and is also for Formulation 1 vehicles, notably by switching to liquid storage for higher compactness and efficiency.
“The Alpenglow idea completely illustrates this, a real technological laboratory for growing tomorrow’s hydrogen engines.”
The Alpenglow is constructed round an LMP3 carbon chassis provided by Ligier and a sequential racing gearbox. Alpine says its efficiency is corresponding to the petrol equal, able to reaching prime speeds of roughly 270 km/h.
That includes an enlarged inside than the unique idea to accommodate two seats and a redesigned crash field, styling options are intentionally aligned with the marque’s A424 LMDh that competes within the WEC’s Hypercar class.
Additional modifications embody revisions to the entrance splitter and rear diffuser for higher aerodynamic effectivity, whereas the automobile runs on bespoke tyres produced by Michelin.
Alpine Design Director Antony Villain stated: “Ever because the creation of the Alpine Alpenglow idea automobile introduced in Paris in 2022, now we have appeared ahead to fulfilling the promise made with such a novel object: taking it out on the observe. That is now a actuality.
“The Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 can now reveal all of the efficiency instructed visually by the unique idea automobile: a real racing automobile with all of the visible and acoustic expression you’ll count on.”
