“The future of Alpine today” – that’s how we’d describe the Alpenglow, which offers a preview of what’s to come from Renault’s performance arm. Arriving at the Paris Motor Show next week, the low-slung concept features a dramatic design and lightweight construction to mirror the A110, although technical specifications have not been revealed. We know it uses recycled carbon to reduce environmental impact.
The powertrain is quite interesting as it shows that a combustion engine can be carbon neutral provided it runs on hydrogen. Just as Toyota aims to keep the ICE alive in the zero-emissions era, Alpine believes battery-powered and fuel-efficient EVs will compete with hydrogen-fueled vehicles powered by a combustion engine. They can live together peacefully. The essential juice is stored in two cylindrical tanks at 700 bar, and we’re told the Alpenglo “produces practically nothing but steam and engine roar.”
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Apart from the modern powertrain, the concept stands out courtesy of its transparent rear active spoiler. Indeed, pedals, steering wheel paddles, hydrogen-holding triangles, and hood sections are also seen. The light signature on both the front and rear will be applied to later Alpine models, while the overall design foreshadows the upcoming LMDh race car for the 2024 season.
Wild alpenglos ride on interesting wheels that are designed to mimic snowflakes and have a transparent surface. France’s idea of the Batmobile is quite large, measuring more than five meters (about 197 inches) long and more than two meters (about 79 inches) wide, while being less than a meter (39 inches) high, as described by Alpine. That’s “the ratio of a dream car.”
There are no plans to launch a hydrogen fueled ICE model in the near future. Instead, the automaker’s product roadmap for the electric era starting in 2025 includes three battery-powered vehicles: a hot hatch version of the Renault 5 supermini, a GT X-Over crossover, and a collaboration with Lotus. A new sports car developed. Indirectly replace A110.