PARIS: Alpine presents Alpenglow HY6 with the brand's first 6-cylinder hydrogen engine at the 2024 Paris Motor Show.
First presented in 2022 as a concept car, Alpenglow returns in its most advanced version, the Alpenglow Hy6.
Alpenglow Hy6 is the latest version of Alpine's hydrogen-powered rolling-prototype, which was demonstrated at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans in its 4-cylinder configuration with Alpine Ambassador Zinédine Zidane on board.
A world first and the centrepiece of this evolution of the Alpenglow concept, its all-new V6 engine developed by Alpine is specifically designed to run on hydrogen.
Its name, Hy6, combines the notion of hydrogen and the number 'six' for 6 cylinders.
Particularly high-performant, this hydrogen-fuelled, twin-turbocharged V6 boosts the vehicle's power output from 340 to 740 bhp compared with the first road-going Alpenglow Hy4.
In addition to its exceptional performance, the sound is enriched by the characteristic musicality of a 6-cylinder engine, offering even greater pleasure to lovers of fine pieces of machinery.
Alpine's hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine technology combines environmental innovation with sportiness to offer a new way of reducing sports cars' carbon footprint.
It's also an exciting avenue for motorsport, with technological mastery that makes Alpine a trailblazer.
The hydrogen-powered Alpine Alpenglow Hy6 has refined its design to present its new engine in a transparent case and adapt its aerodynamic characteristics to the new performance of this rolling laboratory.
The two leading solutions for hydrogen-powered propulsion are the fuel cell (which produces electricity to power an electric motor) and the internal combustion engine powered directly by hydrogen.
Alpine has opted for the latter, as it combines several advantages of a race car, not least the very similar feel of the engine for the driver and a sound that is entirely in keeping with Alpine's racing philosophy.
These advantages include an elevated power output, excellent efficiency under heavy loads, and reduced cooling requirements, as a large proportion of the heat dissipates through the exhaust system.
These arguments favour continuing along this path, which is the subject of Alpine's research and development to optimise this promising type of powertrain further.
Regarding hydrogen storage solutions, Alpine is one of the leading manufacturers with a view to switching to liquid hydrogen, a paradigm-changing state of the art that can be better integrated into the car and refuelled quickly.
Alpine Racing is paying close attention to changes in competition regulations and notes the plan for the ACO and the FIA to authorise the participation of hydrogen-powered cars from the 2028 24 Hours of Le Mans onwards.
