Alpine, the French company founded in 1955, has always been associated with sportscars. That part of its DNA remains intact up till today and will also be found in its roadgoing and racetrack models of tomorrow. The vision and roadmap moving forward is now encapsulated in the Alpenglow concept which will be displayed at the Paris Motorshow this month.
The Alpenglow presents the brand’s forward-looking technological direction as well as the design language that will be adopted. Like its parent company, Renault, Alpine is also heading towards full electrification and will explore the approach of using hydrogen. ‘Green’ hydrogen sustainable mobility as hydrogen is available ‘everywhere’. A hydrogen-fuelled engine releases practically nothing but steam during combustion so it is very clean.
The radical design resembles that of a prototype sportscar, like those which race at Le Mans, and the colours and materials are evocative of what the Alpine cars of the future will look like. Natural elements and states – such as fire, water, ice, wind and steam – inspire the various shapes on flowing, streamlined body. It resembles a wingsuit, worn by those who take part in the most extreme of mountain sports.
The Alpenglow has unique lights which match with the ones on Alpine cars today. The light stream starts at the front, where it is red, symbolising a comet entering the atmosphere, and works its way back, where it turns various shades of blue pointing to its hydrogen internal-combustion engine, which releases practically nothing but steam.
Also at the front, triangles of light form a sprinkling of stars rising from the four headlamps, mirroring Alpine’s emblematic signature. Overall, they create an all-round impression of movement across the car’s body. They are open, look stunning and serve a purpose, venting the steam from the hydrogen’s combustion. In contact with the air, a blue stream emerges from the clean exhaust pipes, giving the Alpenglow a sporty and, at the same time, magical aura.
This rear spoiler is completely transparent, which effaces it and the purpose it serves. Besides being very light, it plays the essential role: of reducing drag and increasing downforce to improve stability at higher speeds.
Over 5 metres in length, the bodyshell is light and seems to float, enveloping the driver who sits on the centreline, between two hydrogen tanks. The driver’s silhouette leaves a mark in the cockpit, while the two ‘pontoon’ waterdrop-shaped tanks on either side of the cockpit add the feeling of being at one with the machinery.
The Alpenglow’s cockpit is transparent, has a blueish hint and is helmet-shaped. A geometric steering wheel is inspired by LMP1 (Endurance) racing cars sits in the forward centre area. The paddle gear shifters are transparent and backlit, adding to the weightlessness in the lean. At the base of the steering wheel are two selectors for the various built-in functions, which mirror the ones in Formula 1 and LMP1 cars.
Building on its heritage but at the same time firmly focused on the future, the Alpine brand’s next generation of models – its Dream Garage – will consist of 3 all-electric models: a compact sportscar (B segment), a GT crossover (C segment) and an A110 replacement.
