Game changing water based engine has been unveiled
- This hydrogen-based engine could be a game-changer
- It’s the brainchild of French carmaker Alpine
- This isn’t the first time a water-based engine has made headlines
Published on Sep 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM (UTC-4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
The first water-based engine has been unveiled to the world in what could be a world-changing development.
It’s the work of French carmaker Alpine, who have created the Alpenglow Hy4.
This hydrogen-powered prototype is centered around an engine, which produces 340 brake horsepower.
Capable of reaching 7,000RPM (revolutions per minute, a measure of how fast the car is operating), the Alpenglow Hy4 is capable of rivaling its petrol-based competitors.
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Is this water-based engine the start of a new age?
How exactly does the engine work?
Hydrogen is pushed into the engine’s combustion chamber through a direct injection system.
The car comes with three hydrogen tanks for fuel storage, and mounted behind the driver.
As it currently stands, the Hy4 is a prototype that could achieve 168mph.
There’s currently no word on when Alpine would moving it onto a commercial level.
A wider look at hydrogen-based engines
This isn’t the first time a car maker has experimented with hydrogen-based engines.
Toyota is also looking to build a revolutionary hydrogen engine that’s even larger than the one before.
Much like the Hy4, hyrdrogen was no obstacle to speed as the Hyperion XP-1 achieved an astonishing top speed of 356km/h (221mph).
It can also reach 0-100 km/h/0-62 mph in a jaw-dropping 2.32 seconds.
There was also an Iranian scientist who modified his Peugeot so that it would run on water from his garden hose.
Alaeddin Qassemi’s work was not only shocking, but it was huge for the environment as his Peugeot now produced zero air pollution.
The future is here, and the future is water-based evidently.
To learn more about the Alpenglow Hy4, check out its page on Alpine’s website.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
