“The future of Alpine, today” – is how we describe the Alpenlow, a radically stylish concept car that serves as a preview of what is to come from Renault’s performance arm. Arriving next week at the Paris Motor Show, the low-slung concept has a dramatic design and lightweight construction to mirror the A110, although technical specifications have yet to be revealed. We know it uses recycled carbon to reduce its environmental impact.
The powertrain is rather interesting because it shows the combustion engine can be carbon neutral as long as it runs on hydrogen. Just as Toyota aims to keep ICE alive in the zero-emissions era, Alpine believes battery-powered and fuel-cell EVs can coexist peacefully alongside hydrogen-fueled vehicles powered by combustion engines. The juices needed are stored in two cylindrical tanks at 700 bar, and we’re told that the Alpenglow “produces almost nothing but steam and the roar of a dazzling engine.”
Beyond the innovative powertrain, this concept stands out thanks to its transparent rear active spoiler. In fact, the pedals, steering wheel paddles, triangles that accommodate hydrogen, and the hood are also see-through. The light signature on the front and rear will be applied to the next Alpine model, while the overall design predicts the coming LMDh race car for the 2024 season.
Wild Alpenglow rides on attractive wheels designed to imitate snowflakes and it also has a transparent surface. The French idea of a Batmobile is quite large, measuring over five meters (nearly 197 inches) long and over two meters (nearly 79 inches) wide while being less than a meter (39 inches) tall for what Alpine describes as “a dream car proportions.” .”
There are no plans to launch a hydrogen-fueled ICE model in the near future. In contrast, the automaker’s product roadmap in the electric era starting in 2025 includes three battery-powered vehicles: a hot hatch version of the revived Renault 5 supermini, the GT X-Over crossover, and a new sports car co-developed with Lotus to indirectly replace the A110.
