The first Alpine Alpenglow prototype (named Hy4) will be on display at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on May 10, 2024, before making its debut on the track on May 11 for the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of the Spa-Francochamps Endurance Race. It will also be demonstrated at the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place on June 14 and 15, 2024.
Following the unveiling of the Alpine Alpenglow Concept at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, the Alpine Alpenglow Rolling Lab Hy4 proves that performance and sustainability are compatible by running on the track, adding to the stimulation of the sound of the internal combustion engine. Its name combines the concepts of hydrogen "Hy" and "four", which represent 4 cylinders.
Alpine is harmonizing environmental innovation and performance through its hydrogen combustion engine technology. This technology offers a new way to decarbonize racing cars and a possible path for sports cars.
Alpenglow is currently equipped with a 4-cylinder development engine, which was developed entirely by Alpine prior to the presentation of a new purpose-built hydrogen-powered V6 engine. It will launch a second rolling version by the end of the year.
The hydrogen-powered Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 prototype further completes its design, acting like a reference to future supercars, bridging the gap between race and the road. It now has a two-seater cockpit and employs several features that are synonymous with performance, such as a fitting racing steering wheel and new rims that evoke a sense of speed. Its design also reveals many hints of the brand's future style evolution.
In the spotlight at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, Alpine unveiled the Alpenglow Concept, a veritable statement of the brand's future design and sustainable innovation direction, the "mother of the future Alps". The founding model embodies the brand's ongoing research into hydrogen-powered combustion engines for sports cars, with the potential for high performance on the road and in the race, in line with the brand's ambitious decarbonization goals. As a result, Alpine is prepared for possible changes in regulations in the future.
Today, the Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 is no longer just a concept car, but a real rolling laboratory, designed as a race car with its carbon monocoque and 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 340 hp.
After the track presentation on May 10, the Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 will make its public debut on May 11, 2024, ahead of the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Endurance Race, which will be watched by more than 70,000 spectators. This will be a great opportunity to show racing enthusiasts how a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine perpetuates the sound and vibrancy of a race car, which is the emotional aspect of racing. This feeling is enhanced by the very spectacular design of the Alpine Alpenglow Hy4, which is further enhanced in this version. The Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 will also be demonstrated at the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place on June 14 and 15, 2024.
The meaning of the name Alpenglow has an absolute meaning with this rolling laboratory: the optical phenomenon of a glowing light cast on a mountain before sunrise perfectly symbolizes the dawn of a new world.
"As part of our active participation in decarbonized motorsport, we see hydrogen combustion engines as a very promising solution. We know that hydrogen will be an important step in the decarbonization of the next generation of endurance racing, and possibly Formula 1, particularly by converting to liquid storage for greater compactness and performance. This is perfectly illustrated by the Alpenglow prototype, a real technical laboratory for the development of future hydrogen engines. ”
Bruno Farming, Vice President Alpine Motorsport
Renault Group: Genuinely committed to the development of hydrogen energy and offering complementary technologies
The Renault Group is considering hydrogen solutions in various ways to contribute to its goal of achieving carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 and globally by 2050.
Renault Group, through its joint venture with Plug, HYVIA, offers a complete and unique ecosystem of fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles, hydrogen charging stations, fleet financing and maintenance services.
The Renault Group is also developing hydrogen combustion engines for high-power off-city commercial use and specific sports use.
The Renault brand is also developing a hybrid technology that combines an electric motor with a hydrogen range extender powered by a fuel cell.
Alpine strongly believes that motorsport is an accelerator for the future of mobility. The hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine is a very promising solution for racing and road use. In addition to the hydrogen-powered version of Alpenglow, Alpine is also gearing up for seven new electric models to be launched between now and 2030, starting with this year's A290, a sporty city car and the first electric model from the Alpine Dream Garage.
本文翻译来自原文：Alpine Alpenglow Hy4: a rolling prototype with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine that will excite motorsport fans - Alpine global media website (alpinecars.com)