While the world has shifted its focus toward battery-electric vehicles, Alpine is asking something different: What if the future of performance isn’t silent? The Alpenglow Hy6 is a French performance brand that reimagines supercars not with lithium-ion packs or gasoline, but with hydrogen, maintaining the raw sound and soul of combustion whilst emitting water vapor. Producing 880 horsepower and revving to 9,000 RPM, this hydrogen-powered V6 prototype is a working machine geared to shape the next era of sustainable high-performance driving.
The hydrogen V6 a new breed of combustion
At the heart of the Alpenglow Hy6 is an entirely new 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, engineered to run on gaseous hydrogen. As opposed to fuel-cell vehicles that convert hydrogen to electricity, the Hy6 burns it in a conventional combustion process creating a visceral driving experience but with zero carbon emissions.
Able to produce a staggering 730 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, this V6 is an evolution of Alpine’s earlier Hy4 concept featuring a four-cylinder engine. The output is routed to the rear wheels through a sequential transmission, housed in a lightweight LMP3 carbon chassis, giving it both racing credentials and road potential.
Hydrogen gets stored in three high-pressure tanks: two in the side pods and one behind the cockpit. These tanks are kept in ventilated, isolated compartments for maximum safety and are completely separated from the cabin. To top it all off is the transparent hood that allows you to peek directly into the mechanical artistry as hiding such an innovation could be classified as a crime.
Performance rather consciencely
Having a redline at 9,000 RPM and a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), the Hy6 delivers performance numbers able to rival top gasoline-powered supercars and racecars like Ferrari that has forgotten its hydrogen engine. Yet, the Hy6 is able to achieve this with zero CO₂ emissions. Without pumping out pollutants, the V6 expels only water vapor, thanks to Alpine’s integration of an Inconel exhaust system rather intelligently built into the taillights.
In order to overcome hydrogen’s unique combustion challenges including that of pre-ignition and knocking, Alpine has implemented advanced Formula 1 engineering. The V6 features a specially designed combustion chamber, and a water injection system meant to stabilize fuel-air mixtures, ensuring smooth, high-RPM performance without the production of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a common byproduct in hydrogen combustion engines.
Alpine retains what enthusiasts love by sticking to a combustion platform rather than focusing on electric propulsion. Everything from the sound to the soul and a powerful delivery is what sets this mechanical engine apart with the added benefit of reducing the environmental impact considerably.
Engineered for the track and the future
Although stiil a concept, the Hy6 is anything but a showpiece. Alpine has started demonstrating the vehicle at major endurance racing events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. These racing events only prove that hydrogen combustion is viable under race conditions, but also hint at motorsport’s future, where hydrogen could become a sanctioned fuel class at events such as Le Mans in 2028.
The platform itself is modular, adaptable for other racing formats or potential road applications. Alpine hints at a road-legal version in the pipeline, however, this has not been confirmed as yet nor has it been confirmed whether it would retain the hydrogen V6 or switch to electric.
Alpine’s ideology reinventing performance
Founded in 1955, Alpine has lived at the intersection of motorsport and innovation. From rally stages to racetracks, the brand has built its legacy of driving passion. The Alpenglow Hy6, Alpine isn’t abandoning that spirit and is reinventing performance for the 21st century.
Alpine is aiming to explore every nook and cranny of sustainable performance. Alpine’s hydrogen combustion strategy is but a third way to keep the engine alive whilst still obtaining the global emissions goals. At a time when electric silence seems to be dominating the conversation, Alpine’s Hy6 makes the bold statement that engines can still roar. The Hy6 won’t be experiencing a silent death like that of air-powered car anytime soon.
