Yahoo Autos Alpine's new hydrogen engine could change motorsports
Alpine is pushing the boundaries of sustainable high-performance motorsports with the introduction of the Alpenglow Hy6, the first vehicle to feature their all-new hydrogen-powered V6 engine.
Initially presented as a concept car in 2022, the Alpenglow has evolved into its most advanced form, returning to the Paris Motor Show in 2024 as a rolling prototype. Showcased earlier this year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this latest iteration delivers a staggering 730 horsepower, more than double the output of its previous four-banger configuration.
A hydrogen revolution under the hood
So, what makes this car so special? The Hy6 uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine designed entirely in collaboration with French racing team and race car constructor ORECA. Running on hydrogen, it takes the raw power we expect from gas-powered engines and marries it with cleaner technology.
Alpine
When you think of hydrogen-powered cars you likely think of fuel cells. As opposed to internal combustion, hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity through a chemical process. This means that fuel cells also need a battery and electric motor, similar to a hybrid vehicle. But the Hy6 is interesting because it offers similarly reduced emissions through its hydrogen fueling while maintaining the ICE format that we all know and love.
Paving the way for hydrogen-powered motorsports
The Alpenglow Hy6 isn’t just a concept; it’s a glimpse into how hydrogen engines could shape the future of racing. The new engine not only produces 730 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 570 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, it even makes more horsepower per liter than Alpine's new ultra-exclusive, gas-powered A110 R Ultime.
With a top speed of over 330 km/h, Alpine is betting that hydrogen powertrains could soon be competitive in motorsport, especially as global regulations continue to shift toward greener technologies. Alpine is eyeing hydrogen’s potential for the racetrack and beyond, laying the groundwork for more sustainable high-performance cars.
"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,” said Bruno Famin, vice president of Alpine Motorsports. “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."
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A (nearly) zero-emissions drivetrain
Now, while hydrogen engines are often touted as "clean," they're not entirely emissions-free. Hydrogen combustion does produce near-zero CO2. However, there's a catch: nitrogen oxides (NOx), a byproduct of the combustion process, are still released into the atmosphere. So, while this tech is a big step forward, it’s not completely pollution-free.
Final thoughts
As concept cars go, it’s anyone’s guess when or how we will ultimately see this tech in real-world applications. But, there’s clearly a desire to see more hydrogen-powered race cars on track in the near future, with both the ACO and the FIA authorizing the use of hydrogen cars in future races.
The fuel might be different, but high-revving engines and screaming exhausts may not be disappearing so quickly after all.
