Hydrogen-powered hypercar with almost zero emissions debuts in UK
Petrolheads were treated to the sight of a £3million zero-emission hypercar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which roared into action for the first time on UK soil yesterday.
Enthusiasts flocked to see the Alpine Alpenglow concept car at the iconic West Sussex motoring celebration.
The striking vehicle operates on combusted hydrogen rather than traditional fuels or batteries – its emissions are almost non-existent.
Though this Alpenglow model remains unique, it is paving the way for upcoming Alpine cars in both design and eco-friendly powertrain technology.
Sporty aesthetics and a hybrid engine of French pedigree that mixes classic petrol with electric firepower are part of Alpine's ambitious plan for a line-up of new models valued north of the £1 million mark.
Speaking about Alpine's innovation, Bruno Famin from Alpine Motorsports commented: "With the development of this brand new Hy6 V6 engine, we are demonstrating our commitment to hydrogen research, which could herald motorsport applications with high-performance levels.
"The Alpenglow Hy6 concept is the perfect example of what is possible to achieve the essential step of reducing carbon emissions in motorsport."
At Goodwood this year, an estimated 200,000 visitors had the opportunity to glimpse the future of racing with the high-octane spectacle of liquid hydrogen engines challenging the dominance of battery electric alternatives.
The Alpenglow dazzled crowds when unveiled in 2022, serving as a vision for the trajectory of Alpine's automotive advancements.
Building on the success of the first road-going prototype, powered by a 340bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine, the Alpenglow Hy6 now boasts an all-new powertrain that more than doubles its predecessor's output. At its core lies a revolutionary 3.5-litre V6 engine, designed in-house by Alpine to optimise hydrogen combustion.
This results in an impressive 544kW (740bhp), equating to over 150kW/l (210bhp/l), and positioning the Alpenglow among the performance elite. The concept's Specular Blue carbon fibre bodywork has been reworked, showcasing more aggressive lines.
The spoiler is more pronounced and visible from the front, while the shark-fin has grown in size, proudly displaying the Alpine logo, hydrogen's chemical formula, and an eye-catching magenta to blue gradient that represents its combustion process.
Beneath the bonnet, F1-inspired methodologies have been employed to hone the engine's key performance components.
Antony Villain, Alpine's VP of Design, noted: "The adaptation of this V6 is a technical challenge, highlighted for all to see in a redesigned rear section.
"Various elements of the concept's design are evolving, sculpted by the aerodynamic imperatives implied by its new performance, while visually evoking both speed and the virtuous aspects of hydrogen."
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