In 2022, Alpine, a manufacturer part of the Renault Group brands, revealed the Alpenglow concept car, which Alpine said will serve as a blueprint for its future direction in design. The Alpenglow was showcased at this year’s Paris Motor show as the Alpenglow Hy6, the latest version of Alpine’s hydrogen-powered rolling prototype. According to Alpine, the Alpenglow features a V6 engine, specifically designed to run on hydrogen. Its name, Hy6, combines the notion of hydrogen and the number ‘six’ for 6 cylinders.

Following the first road-going prototype powered by a 340 bhp, turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Alpenglow Hy6 features an all-new engine with more than double the power, the manufacturer said. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, developed entirely by Alpine for hydrogen combustion, produces 544 kW (740 bhp), or more than 150 kW/l (210 bhp/l).

“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,” Bruno Famin, VP Alpine Motorsports, said. “A solution for continuing to cultivate the passion for motor racing using a very noble V6 with remarkable specific power and a sound to thrill drivers and spectators with its maximum revs at 9,000 rpm. The Alpenglow Hy6 concept is the perfect example of what is possible to achieve the essential step of reducing carbon emissions in motorsport.”

The Alpenglow Hy6 is designed as a race car based on an LMP3 carbon chassis, matching the performance of the new Hy6 V6 engine, Alpine said. Developed by Alpine teams at Viry-Châtillon, the engine underwent two years of work to address the challenges of hydrogen combustion. Technical partner Oreca contributed to the engine’s design.

The Renault Group said it is exploring hydrogen solutions to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 and worldwide by 2050, including.

• Through HYVIA, a joint venture with Plug, Renault offers a complete ecosystem comprising fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicles, hydrogen recharging stations, and maintenance services;
• As part of the HyMot consortium, Renault said it is developing hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines for high-powered applications;
• The Renault brand is advancing “dual-energy” technology, combining an electric motor powered by a battery and a hydrogen fuel cell, as demonstrated in the Emblème concept car at the 2024 Paris Motor Show;
• Alpine said it supports motorsport as a catalyst for developing future mobility technologies, with hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines as a solution for racing and road use.

According to Alpine, hydrogen propulsion options include fuel cells and internal combustion engines powered directly by hydrogen. Alpine said it has chosen the latter, offering elevated power output and reduced cooling requirements. Alpine Racing is monitoring competition regulations, noting the plan for hydrogen-powered cars to participate in the 2028 24 Hours of Le Mans.