Alpine Alpenglow Hy6 makes Paris debut with 730-bhp hydrogen-powered V6 

Designed as a rolling testbed for hydrogen combustion technology, Alpine’s trailblazing hypercar premiered in 2022. Now, with more than twice the horsepower and two extra cylinders, is the Alpenglow Hy6 the star of the 2024 Paris Motor Show? 

When it comes to the future of automotive propulsion, Alpine’s latest showstopper proves there really is more than one way to bake a cake.  

While there’s nothing new about hydrogen-powered cars in principle — you’re probably already familiar with the element’s use in fuel cell electric vehicles like Hyundai’s retro N74 supercar — the Alpenglow utilises H2 in a far more unusual fashion: through combustion. 

Proudly mounted mid-ship in an ornate glass display case, you’ll find a V6 engine which promises to be all things to all petrolheads. The obvious headline grabber is the environmental benefit — burning the gaseous fuel in a traditional ICE engine results in around a 98% reduction in CO2 emissions. So it’s great for the planet and your conscience, but so are EVs. However, for true enthusiasts, the real kicker is that you get to flaunt those eco credentials without losing the spine-tingling combustion soundtrack and inimitable ICE driving feel. 

Power certainly isn’t lacking, either. The specially designed 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 revs to a scintillating 9,000 rpm and produces no less than 740 bhp. Torque is an equally stout 568 lb ft, while the top speed is said to be in excess of 205 mph. And, given this stellar performance and mid-engine, rear-drive layout, it’s a good thing the Hy6 sits on grippy custom Michelin rubber with bespoke sidewall graphics to complement the wheels’ mesmerising design.  

What’s the catch? Well, while it’s technically possible to burn hydrogen in the same way as fossil fuels, H2 behaves differently to the petrol or diesel your car runs on. For one, hydrogen ignites in a different range to regular ICE engines, which means the combustion chamber (where the power is made) must be designed with this in mind. Plus, early hydrogen combustion engines haven’t proven to be as efficient as equivalent fuel cell-equipped vehicles — though, impressively, their efficacy already matches some diesel engines which benefit from decades more development. 

That’s not to say the Alpenglow’s radical powerplant is purely conceptual, though. Earlier this year, the Hy6’s four-cylinder predecessor (Afterglow Hy4) successfully completed demonstration laps of the Le Mans circuit with none other than brand manager, Zinedine Zidane, at the wheel. What’s more, upcoming rule changes permitting, it’s rumoured that Alpine might actually use the Hy6 to compete at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2025. As for a road-going counterpart, well it could be on the cards, just don’t expect to get one for less than six (or even seven) figures.  

Do you think hydrogen combustion engines could catch on? Let us know if the fuel sounds more tempting than conventional BEV and fuel cell alternatives. 

Hero image credit: Blackcircles.com