Alpine’s Bruno Famin believes that hydrogen power holds great potential for sportscars, as the French manufacturer unveils its updated Alpenglow concept car. The Alpenglow, initially introduced in 2022 as a glimpse into the future of the brand, has now been transformed into the HY4, a “rolling racelab” equipped with a 4-cylinder hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine. Famin, Alpine’s vice president of motorsports, emphasizes the advantages of hydrogen, stating that it offers a promising solution for sportscars in terms of both road and racing applications. He highlights the low emissions of the internal combustion engine, with a particular focus on reducing harmful NOx particulate emissions through the use of water emissions. Alpine is already working on further advancements, including the storage of hydrogen in liquid form. Famin also expresses gratitude towards the ACO and FIA for their support in introducing the hydrogen class for the 24 Hours of Le Mans by 2027.
The HY4, based on an LMP3 chassis, features a 4-cylinder engine that generates 250kW (340hp), reaches a maximum speed of 270kph, and revs up to 27,000 RPM. Alpine is also developing a “big sister” car, the HY6, which will be powered by a 6-cylinder engine specifically designed for hydrogen use. The HY6 is currently undergoing testing and will be unveiled later this year. While the torque and power of the HY4 are comparable to those of a petrol engine, the range falls short. However, François Champod, Alpine Racing’s vehicle director, is proud of the car’s ability to cover nearly 100 kilometers on track without refueling. The HY4 is equipped with three 55-litre fuel tanks for storing hydrogen in gaseous form, a feat that Champod describes as quite challenging due to safety considerations and the drastic pressure change during injection.
Famin clarifies that the HY4 is not intended for racing but serves as a platform for learning about hydrogen technology and exploring its potential applications in roadcars and Hypercars. He confirms that the car will not be used for racing in 2027, the year when the ACO plans to allow hydrogen cars to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. When asked about the possibility of Alpine racing a hydrogen car at Le Mans before 2027, Famin believes that focusing on one project at a time is essential and suggests that parallel development is not feasible.