Alpine’s new supercar could be fully electric

Alpine is ready to try something new.

The French automaker has confirmed that it is working hard to develop a supercar, according to Autocar. And there’s a good chance that the vehicle, which promises to be unlike anything in the brand’s 69-year history, will feature an all-electric powertrain.

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Details on the upcoming model are scarce despite the confirmation. All we know at this point is that the vehicle is internally called the Future Alpine Supercar and will be worked on in the company’s new state-of-the-art research and development center.

The R&D base is called Hypertech Alpine and is located in the Viry-Châtillon Formula 1 engine plant, south of Paris. Much of the center’s work will focus on EV technologies, including batteries for its next-generation sports cars and ultra-high-density cells and chemicals that will be used in future solid-state packs. Additionally, Alpine’s EV division Ampere will also develop new electric motors at the factory, according to the British publication. The center will also bring together for the first time the automaker’s motorsport programs, including its World Endurance Championship, Dakar and F1 teams (the latter will cease operations at the end of the 2025 season).

“The creation of this Alpine Hypertech center is essential to Alpine’s development strategy and, more broadly, to the Group’s innovation strategy,” said Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine, in a press release. “This is a turning point in the history of the Viry-Châtillon site, which will ensure the continuity of know-how and the inclusion of its rare skills in the ambitious future of the Group while strengthening Alpine’s position as an “innovation garage”.

The fact that the majority of the work that will be carried out at Hypertech Alpine explains why it is strongly believed that the supercar will be battery powered, even if the brand has not yet confirmed this. A supercar, especially one not made by one of the usual suspects, is often used to show off a company’s most advanced automotive technology. So it’s not a stretch to imagine that Alpine wants to do just that.

In fall 2022, Alpine revealed a rather wacky concept called Alpenglow (top photo) that might give some clues about what to expect from its hypercar. The prototype’s hydrogen combustion engine is unlikely to make it to production, especially if the model is an electric vehicle, but its futuristic design could. At least that’s what we hope.

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