Top Gear Magazine has just released an in-depth article on Alpine's revolutionary new hydrogen combustion-powered Alpenglow. While there are still a few kinks to iron out, the conclusion is music to the ears of any motorsport fan worried about the future of silent racing.
This innovation is a stark reminder of what EVs can’t achieve. Even if the sounds, flames, and sheer fury of the internal combustion engine aren’t your thing, you have to admit it's excellent at going and going with just a short pitstop to refuel. Despite rapid improvements in battery tech, the idea of a genuine endurance race with EVs remains a distant dream.
Sitting in the shadow of the mighty Eau Rouge/Raidillon corner is a glimmer of hope for series like WEC. The Alpine Alpenglow Hy4, though it might sound like a new healthy breakfast cereal, is actually a prototype hydrogen-powered 'road' car and a live study for a race project. Alpine aims to compete at Le Mans in 2027 with a hydrogen-fueled entry. For a company committed to becoming EV-only, this is a surprising left turn. However, as electric car sales falter and infrastructure challenges persist, more manufacturers see a future with multiple technologies. According to Alpine and the ACO, hydrogen is a viable option.
The Alpenglow is essentially a conventional (though wild-looking) mid-engine sports car built around a Ligier LMP3 carbon fiber chassis. It's powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine running on hydrogen, stored in three tanks at 700 bar of pressure and injected at 40 bar into the combustion chamber. Currently producing 340bhp and driving through an XTrac sequential gearbox, a new bespoke V6 engine and liquid hydrogen combustion are also being explored. Alpine claims almost zero CO2 emissions and very low NOx.
VP of Alpine Bruno Famin highlights the potential: "We consider it a very good solution for sports cars, both on the road and racing side. We keep all what we love with the internal combustion engine but with almost no emissions." For racing, liquid hydrogen storage offers significant packaging advantages, and the technology could be showcased at Le Mans by 2027.
Despite the challenges, including high-pressure storage and range limitations, the Alpenglow's innovative approach offers a glimpse into a future where the internal combustion engine thrives alongside advancing technologies. Famin even suggests the F1 team has created single-cylinder hydrogen-powered engine mockups for top-tier motorsport.
"The Alpenglow is a real, tangible glimpse into a future where the internal combustion engine is very much alive, then. And as flat-sixes, V8s and V10s reverberate around the Ardennes, that feels like a very good thing indeed."
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