Yahoo Autos Alpine's Alpenglow Now Packs a Water-Injected, Hydrogen-Fueled V-6
Begone, four-cylinder power! The engineers in Dieppe, France have found a better way to put the power down in their sustainable Alpenglow racer — and all they had to do was develop a bespoke water-injected V-6 specifically designed to burn hydrogen in order to do so. Simple as pie, we presume.
Two years ago, the Alpenglow concept was revealed as a sort of eco-conscious demonstration of how racing technology could advance in the 21st Century. By the time it showed up at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francourchamps earlier this year, Alpine had fitted a 340-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that had been modified to run on hydrogen to the prototype. Alpine even demonstrated its preparedness for future regulation changes by performing Alpenglow demo runs at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. But that wasn't enough for the French manufacturer, apparently.
Now, after a two-year development process, Alpine says it has figured out how to make the Alpineglow more economical and twice as powerful, courtesy of a 740-hp, 568-lb-ft of torque, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 — powered by hydrogen.
The dimensions and construction of the engine are exciting alone, even in spite of its traditional V-shape construction. The block is solid aluminum and features a dry-sump design as well as cast aluminum cylinder heads. There are four chain-driven overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder controlled by finger cogs, and a super-square bore and stroke of 95mm and 82.3mm, respectively.
As a result, Alpine says its new powerplant will be characteristically high-revving, maxing out at 9000 rpm. Peak power will arrive at 7600 rpm, however, all while being funneled through a centrifugal clutch and an Xtrac sequential gearbox. Wind out the Alpenglow HY6, and you'll eventually reach a top speed of 205 mph.
The decision to use hydrogen as fuel was made to keep a familiar internal combustion feel in the LMP3 racer, while lowering cooling requirements and improving efficiency. But this decision didn't come without challenges.
Because of the particularly turbulent and richness-varying combustion process associated with using dihydrogen as fuel, the engine is predisposed to knocking, and needs to be stabilized by the presence of an indirect water injection system. This squirting process not only helps stabilize the preparation and injection of the hydrogen mixture, but also reduces nitrogen oxide emissions.
All of the hydrogen used for this combustion process is stored in three high-pressure composite tanks, all fitted with the proper ventilation and sealants needed to meet safety standards. Notably, Alpine says this is just the beginning of its hydrogen testing plans, as it anticipates changes in competition regulations and impending ACO and FIA authorization of hydrogen-powered cars in the 2028 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Visually, the Alpenglow HY6 benefits from a glass-paneled engine case, showing off the French brand's powertrain innovation. The rear end also features functioning vents, with two transparent NACA air intakes feeding a gearbox oil cooler as well as functional louvers running air to the engine compartment. Carbon bodywork remains standard, a carry-over from the original Alpenglow, though it now has new side blades and an aluminum support on the wing.
All told, the development of a screaming, high-powered hydrogen race car is quite exciting. It's not exactly clear when or where we'll see the Alpenglow HY6 up and moving, but we can't wait until we do.
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