Alpine unveiled the Alpenglow concept at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, a prototype that represents the brand’s future design and sustainable innovation directions. Alpine’s research into hydrogen-powered combustion engines for sports cars is embodied in this model, which serves as the “mother of all future Alpines.” The Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 is a genuine rolling lab designed as a racing car with a carbon monocoque and a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine that develops 340 bhp. The car debuted during the recent Total-Energies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Endurance Race and will make demonstration runs during the 24 Hours of Le Mans this June.
Under the Alpine Alpenglow carbon bonnet is a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder turbocharged development engine delivering 340 bhp. It is fuelled by hydrogen with direct injection at 40 bar pressure and water injection to reduce NOx emissions. It can reach a maximum of 7,000 rpm and is coupled to a sequential racing gearbox with a centrifugal clutch. The performance is comparable to the petrol equivalent, with a top speed of approximately 270 km/h.
Hydrogen can burn at a much more comprehensive range of concentrations, from 4% to 76%, with both lean and rich mixtures. In all cases, abnormal combustion must be avoided, which means preparing a homogeneous mixture and controlling the temperature in the combustion chamber.
The adaptation work carried out on the Alpenglow engine Hy4 has contributed to enriching the expertise of Alpine Racing engineers in the development of a new Alpine engine entirely designed to be hydrogen-powered, with the presentation of a second rolling version before the close of 2024.
The Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 recently hit the track at Spa-Francorchamps, with Belgian Guillaume De Ridder behind the wheel. De Ridder is a unique driver, as he is not only a rallycross champion, but also an engineer at Alpine Racing. His career has been quite atypical, starting with years of motor racing in a variety of disciplines such as karting, circuit racing and rallying. It all culminated in his recent achievement of winning the 2021 FIA RX2e rallycross title.
For more on this and the Alpine range, click HERE
And for more Technology related News and Articles here on Motoring Echo, click HERE
We assume you are a motoring enthusiast as you our reading this article. And, even if you are not, you will enjoy reading Motoring Echo, as so many of our regular readers do. As it’s a great motoring platform to keep up-to-date with the latest motoring news, reviews, and features from the world of cars. But don’t keep it to yourself. We are more than happy if you spread the word about Motoring Echo to your friends, family, and work colleagues, which we hope you will. Thanks for your support!
