Alpine Alpenglow hydrogen hypercar concept revealed

Renault-owned sports car maker Alpine has revealed the hydrogen-fuelled Alpenglow, becoming the French company's second concept car to preview its zero-emissions future.

The Alpine Alpenglow is a single-seater concept car, designed to take on the world’s race tracks without emitting any harmful gases from its exhaust.

While Alpine does not appear to have any plans to put a hypercar into production, the Alpenglow is said to preview some of the design cues of its future electric-car range.

Currently existing in digital form only, Alpine claims the Alpenglow is powered by an internal-combustion engine (ICE) which runs on hydrogen, rather than petrol or diesel.

Japanese car-giant Toyota has been investing heavily in hydrogen-fuelled combustion engines, running prototypes of its GR Yaris and GR Corolla hot hatches in a handful of racing events.

No details regarding the Alpine Alpenglow’s engine have been released, although the French car-maker says the hydrogen is stored in a pair of high-pressure cylindrical tanks at 700 bar – more than 10,150psi.

The Alpine Alpenglow’s styling is heavily influenced by the company’s tenure as a Formula One team (previously branded as Renault Sport F1) and a competitor in international endurance racing championships.

“Designed around technical and aerodynamic components, this concept car embodies a one-of-a-kind philosophy, where form derives from function,” the company said in a media statement. 

“The Alpenglow concept car’s shape optimises air flow and thereby increases aerodynamic performance. The moving surfaces, sculpted by the air, range from positive to negative, in the form of a twist. 

“The front with the distinctive V-shape is the starting point for the red line. On the side, another line also adding character forms an air inlet and creates an aerodynamic tunnel.”

The Alpine Alpenglow concept’s snowflake-design wheels, rear spoiler, engine cover, foot pedals and gear shift paddles are all transparent, “revealing an ultra-high-tech universe that was out of sight for enthusiasts until now,” according to the company.

Despite its five-metre length and heavy engine, Alpine claims the Alpenglow is “remarkably buoyant”, owing to the company’s use of recycled carbon in its construction.

"Alpenglow’s mighty and lavish design hints at what Alpine cars will be like tomorrow and at our vision for motorsports moving forward,” Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said in a media statement. 

“With hydrogen technology on board, we are strengthening our commitment to a responsible future and to keeping driving pleasure as real as ever."

As previously reported, Alpine has taken over from Renault Sport as Renault’s performance brand, with its A110 R revealed last week as what is expected to be the company’s last petrol-powered sports car.

From 2024, Alpine will release three electric cars (teased above) – an SUV, hatchback and sports car – with the hot hatch set to be based on the upcoming Renault 5 city car.