Prepare for an exhilarating ride as French sports car manufacturer Alpine gears up to unveil a production version of its ambitious Alpenglow hypercar concept! This phenomenal beast will feature an all-wheel drive V6 hybrid, promising power and performance that will set hearts racing. Just recently, Alpine unveiled the A390 electric ‘fastback’ SUV, which is already making waves with a staggering 464 hp generated by three electric motors—making it the fiercest Alpine we’ve ever seen. However, mark your calendars for 2026, because that's when the fully electric successor to the iconic A110 two-seat coupe hits the scene, setting the stage for the grand debut of the hypercar a couple of years later. “The halo car won’t be a pure electric vehicle,” explained Alpine CEO Philippe Krief during the A390’s unveiling in Dieppe, the brand’s French birthplace. “It will be a hybrid with a V6 engine. While it won't be a plug-in hybrid, it will be a hybrid because we desire more power.”
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As the mastermind behind successful performance revivals such as the 503 hp twin-turbo V6 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Krief has returned to his roots with Alpine, eager to innovate. Previously, he led Ferrari's development of thrilling plug-in hybrids that seamlessly blend electric power with the invigorating roar of V8 engines like the SF90 and V6 like the 296 GTB. The hypercar promises to be a bridge that connects Alpine's electrifying on-track successes in Formula 1 and World Endurance Racing with their cutting-edge road cars. With Renault Group no longer holding its own V6 engine, the responsibility for development shifts to Hypertech Alpine, the brand's research and development epicenter located in Viry-Chatillon. While specifics about the engine’s displacement and whether it incorporates forced induction remain under wraps, anticipation is already building.
Power will radiate from the rear wheels, and there is a tantalizing possibility of integrating an electric motor between the engine and the transmission. Other automotive giants like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren have all benefited from the lightweight axial flux motors developed by innovative British engineers Yasa, but Krief noted that this supplier is off the table due to its acquisition by Mercedes. In a strategic move, Renault has invested in a 21 percent stake in Whylot, another axial flux innovator.
What’s thrilling about this hypercar is the dual electric motors that will drive the front axle, rendering the vehicle all-wheel drive. By the end of next year, Alpine aims to roll out two electric axle configurations: the A390 will feature twin central drive units powering the rear axle, while the upcoming A110 coupe is set to adopt in-wheel motors for optimal weight savings. The fusion of gasoline and electric power is projected to yield an astonishing output that exceeds 1,000 hp. “We’re working hard to keep the weight below 1,600 kg,” shared Krief, which translates to a groundbreaking power-to-weight ratio of approximately 625 hp per tonne—remarkably comparable to the illustrious Ferrari SF90 Stradale.
Laurens van den Acker, head of design for Renault Group, shared the ambitious vision for the hypercar: a “technology showcase.” “Can we create something that no one else offers?” he mused. “That should be the goal for any supercar, as hypercar enthusiasts seek something extraordinary that sets them apart, especially since they often have several vehicles in their collection. We are laser-focused on this quest, though it will take some time to realize.” So far, Alpine has teased two versions of the Alpenglow hypercar concept, with the latter iteration sporting a 3.5-liter V6 that sips hydrogen from three tanks, paving the way for a new era of eco-conscious performance.
In the high-stakes realm of hypercars, Alpine is clearly positioned to make waves, leaving fans on the edge of their seats in eager anticipation for what is to come. Buckle up; the future of Alpine is gearing up for an electrifying adventure!
