Alpine has announced the formation of the ‘Hypertech Alpine’ division, which will be responsible for the research and development of upcoming EV projects for both Alpine and Renault. Alongside a brief that includes pursuing solid state battery tech, continuing the WEC and Dacia Dakar programmes plus offering up ‘engineering services for other companies’, Alpine Hypertech will contribute to the development of the upcoming supercar.
Though a very small confirmation for now, this news is the first official announcement from Alpine that it will build something faster and more exotic than an A110. Indeed it aims to have a seven-model lineup by 2030, presumably with a little more assistance from Hypertech. The supercar will surely take some design inspiration from the Alpenglow concepts; given the explicit focus on electric with Hypertech, it would have to be assumed that the Alpine supercar would be battery-powered. On the other hand, the Alpenglow Hy4 updated the concept with a hydrogen-fuelled engine, so let’s see.
Hypertech will be based at Viry-Châtillon, which brings us to the next important part of the release: Alpine won’t be making its own F1 engines after the end of next year. Which would mean a works team without a works engine - it has been suggested that Mercedes engines will be bought. It’s huge news, really, the only kind that seems to surface right now, Renault having been an engine builder almost every year since 1977. As part of the Hypertech move, every employee affected by the decision - a ‘transformation project’, no less - will be offered a new position. That could be in something called the F1 monitoring unit, which aims to keep knowledge and skills ‘and remain at the forefront of innovation for Hypertech Alpine's various projects.’
It’s a big move, then, while also with some details to flesh out going forward. Alpine says that Hypertech will begin its work before this year is out. CEO Philippe Krief said: "Creating this Hypertech Alpine centre is key to Alpine's development strategy and, more broadly, to the Group's innovation strategy. It is a turning point in the history of the Viry-Châtillon site, which will ensure the continuity of a savoir-faire and the inclusion of its rare skills in the Group's ambitious future while strengthening Alpine's position as an 'innovation garage'. Its racing DNA remains a cornerstone of the brand. It will continue to fuel an unprecedented industrial and automotive project, thanks particularly to Hypertech Alpine.” Quite what shape that will take remains to be seen, but there is the A290 to look forward to already - expect that review at some point next month.
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