British GT News: Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 to Make Demonstration Runs at Le Mans 24 Hours
In a significant development for the future of endurance racing, Alpine has unveiled the Alpenglow Hy4, a concept car that showcases the brand’s commitment to hydrogen-powered motorsports.
Powertrain and Performance
Based on the concept first presented at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, the Alpenglow Hy4 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder internal combustion engine that runs on hydrogen. With 340 bhp on tap, the car is currently equipped with three gas tanks, but Alpine plans to transition to liquid hydrogen storage for improved integration and faster refuelling.
Debut at Le Mans 24 Hours
The Alpenglow Hy4 will make its debut on the track during demonstration runs at the upcoming Le Mans 24 Hours next month. This is an important step as it serves as an indicator of Alpine’s interest in the future hydrogen class scheduled for the 2027 Le Mans 24 Hours. The wider Renault Group is also engaged in various initiatives to meet its carbon neutrality objectives for road use.
“As part of our active participation in decarbonising motorsports, we see the hydrogen internal combustion engine as an extremely promising solution. We know that hydrogen will be an essential step in decarbonising the next generations of Endurance cars, and could also be for Formula 1 cars, particularly by switching to liquid storage for greater compactness and performance.” – Bruno Famin, Alpine Motorsports Vice President
Technical Specifications
The Alpenglow Hy4 is built around an LMP3 carbon chassis supplied by Ligier and features a sequential racing gearbox. Alpine claims its performance is comparable to a petrol-powered equivalent, with a top speed of approximately 270 km/h. Styling cues have been inspired by the brand’s A424 LMDh that competes in the WEC’s Hypercar category, with revisions to the front splitter and rear diffuser for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency.
“Ever since the creation of the Alpine Alpenglow concept car presented in Paris in 2022, we have looked forward to fulfilling the promise made with such a unique object: taking it out on the track. This is now a reality. The Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 can now demonstrate all the performance suggested visually by the original concept car: a true racing car with all the visual and acoustic expression you would expect.” – Antony Villain, Alpine Design Director
The unveiling of the Alpenglow Hy4 and its upcoming demonstration runs at Le Mans are significant milestones for Alpine’s foray into hydrogen-powered motorsports. As the industry continues to evolve towards more sustainable solutions, this concept car serves as a glimpse into the future of endurance racing, where hydrogen could play a crucial role.
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