Latest news with #AntonyVillain
Auto Express
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Alpine's big plan for a super-SUV to rival the Porsche Cayenne
Alpine is in the middle of a significant electric car expansion after launching the A290 hot hatch and the new A390 SUV. Soon to arrive will be five other models, growing the brand's EV line-up up to seven cars by 2030, and one of those will be a flagship SUV. Advertisement - Article continues below Speaking to Auto Express at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Antony Villain, head of design for Alpine, said, 'We need something for the D and E segment', strongly suggesting a new flagship SUV will be introduced to sit above the recently revealed A390 SUV. We already know that joining Alpine's new Renault 5-based A290 and the A390 next year will be an all-electric A110; a convertible variant is coming in 2027, plus a four-seat electric sports car called the A310. One of the final two cars to come before the end of the decade will be a large SUV to fill the void above the A390. It could potentially be badged A590 to align with the brand's '90' badge for its non-sportscar models. The A590 would be either a D or E-segment SUV, as Villain said, giving Alpine a competitor for the likes of the BMW iX, Lotus Eletre and the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV. While any official teasers remain a long way off, Alpine has said it'll commit to having a familiar design language throughout its EVs – a set of quad headlights arranged in a 'V', a curved rear window, and a rounded side profile. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below While Alpine is aiming to keep its future line-up desirable with the cars' performance and looks, ergonomics is also an important consideration for the brand. The Alpine A110, partly by virtue of being launched back in 2017, has plenty of physical buttons inside for climate functions and regularly used features – although the newer A290 hot hatch and A390 SUV have deviated from this approach with larger screens. Villain pointed out that Alpine drivers 'want to focus on driving and you don't want screens everywhere'. He also added 'buttons are important for Alpine' and said that its cars will have 'lots of physical buttons'. As with any Alpine model, the driving experience – even for a large SUV – will be important. The A390 SUV sits on the Renault Group's AmpR Medium platform, which has the capacity to underpin cars with up to seven seats, according to Renault. In the A390, there are three electric motors – one at the front and two at the rear – and the 464bhp total combines with active torque vectoring to promote 'agility and driving pleasure'. We expect to see similar technology on Alpine's future EVs, including the A590. Tell us which new car you're interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare. Let's go… Find a car with the experts New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant for new EVs sold under £3… New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Hydrogen-powered hypercar with almost zero emissions debuts in UK
The Alpine Alpenglow concept car was on display at the annual motoring event in West Sussex and is a one-off concept car, but both its hydrogen powertrain and styling are set to inspire future Alpine road cars 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."
NZ Autocar
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Will Alpine launch a hydrogen-powered supercar eventually?
Alpine is continuing with development of its hydrogen-powered Alpenglow concept, now evolved into the Hy4 prototype. First revealed in 2022, the Alpenglow's transformation into the Hy4 suggests Alpine is increasingly serious about hydrogen combustion technology. The Hy4, built on a Ligier LMP3 racing chassis, swaps the original single-seat layout for a more conventional two-seat set-up, suggesting a shift towards a road orientation. The Hy4 was set to debut at the World Endurance Championship in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. However, an electrical fault prevented that. Alpine's design chief, Antony Villain, is still optimistic. He said that the Alpenglow was always envisioned for both road and track ends. Villain added that Alpine is considering a small production run of the hydrogen-powered supercar. He stressed that both hydrogen-combustion and battery-electric technologies are being pursued at present. Development was always aimed at eventual production, he said, calling the Alpenglow more of a 'programme' than a concept. Future versions will evolve with improved styling and added everyday utility. A critical part of this update is a new V6 hydrogen engine being developed entirely in-house by Alpine. It is set to replace the existing turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder sourced from motorsport partner Oreca. The new V6 should add both power and efficiency. The Hy4's range currently stands at around 100km at race pace. Le Mans racers generally run 10–20 laps of the 14km circuit before refueling so added efficiency is an imperative. Racing vehicles director François Champod stressed the engine will offer accessible, user-friendly power, unlike a high-revving F1 unit. There are still engineering challenges to overcome. Alpine's hydrogen engineer, Pierre-Jean Tardy, explained that while hydrogen combustion produces similar engine response and sound to petrol, it behaves differently. Running lean for efficiency and low NOx emissions leads to cooler exhaust gases, creating challenges for turbochargers, especially increased lag. In addition, hydrogen's wide flammability range complicates combustion control, increasing the risk of engine knock. Mixing hydrogen gas with air uniformly is another major stumbling block, especially at high engine speeds. Hydrogen is injected at very high velocities, making it harder to mix properly and increasing the risk of abnormal combustion. Temperature management within each combustion chamber must also be uniform to avoid reliability issues. Alpine acknowledges that its hydrogen-combustion technology is in its infancy. The V6 has only recently begun testing on a dynamometer. But the goal is to power the Alpenglow with hydrogen by year's end. While Alpine is eyeing entry into the hydrogen-combustion class at the 2027 Le Mans 24 Hours, it has not made a formal commitment yet. A road-going hydrogen car from Alpine remains a long-term possibility. Champod warned that the broader hydrogen infrastructure will determine its future. The current hydrogen refueling network can only support a limited number of vehicles. However, Renault Group's Hyvia venture, focused on hydrogen-powered vans, could aid infrastructure development. Trucks and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are expected to lead the rollout of hydrogen stations, indirectly supporting niche vehicles like the Alpenglow. Fuel storage on board remains a significant challenge. Hydrogen tanks require more space than petrol equivalents—over 350 litres versus 50 litres—posing packaging problems. Moreover, Alpine insists hydrogen use must be 'clean' to justify its environmental benefits. That means only decarbonized hydrogen (with carbon capture) or green (via renewable-powered electrolysis).
