Alpine dropped jaws at the 2022 Paris Motor Show with the stunning Alpenglow hypercar concept.
The brand followed up in 2024 with the fully operational hydrogen-powered Alpenglow Hy4.
A production supercar or hypercar remains very much on the wishlist of Alpine CEO Philippe Krief, but timing and readiness matter more than raw ambition.
The ex-Ferrari engineer worked on models including the 458 Speciale that ushered out the mid-mounted V8, and the 296 GTB that introduced V6 plug-in hybrid tech.
He believes in the value of a halo model when done right. The purpose of a supercar is to build brand awareness, explore new technologies that feed back into the lineup, and make money.
Krief admits Alpine could build a supercar relatively quickly with its small team. Whether it would make money is another question entirely.
The brand really needs to grow first to ensure it can deliver the kind of customer experience supercar buyers are used to.
Before committing to a full halo car, Alpine plans more extreme performance models using the new Alpine Performance Platform.
Krief wants to use APP to do extreme things: special, limited-edition models that bring real additional engineering value for customers, not just design exercises.
The template already exists. The A110 R Ultime launched in 2024 with a £267,000 price tag, placing it in supercar territory financially.
Only 110 units were built, featuring redesigned turbo, totally new transmission, Akrapovic titanium exhaust, Ohlins adjustable dampers, AP Racing brakes with recalibrated system, and extensive aero add-ons. It sold out completely.
Future extreme Alpines will follow that formula across the electric lineup.
The modular and lightweight APP architecture already underpins future sports cars but has flexibility for larger and wider models.
Parts of its DNA have been applied to the A290 hatchback and A390 crossover. An all-wheel drive subcompact hatchback with punch matching a Porsche 911 Turbo? That’s on the table.
Krief’s vision for the ideal Alpine supercar reflects the brand’s ethos rather than directly rivalling something like the 296 GTB.
His dream is a modern Alpine interpretation of the Dino: a light, not-so-powerful car. That’s exactly the DNA of Alpine.
The car will likely draw inspiration from the Alpenglow concept. Krief mentioned it will be used as a rolling laboratory before fully committing to the project.
The forthcoming electric A110 and A310 coupe and convertible will borrow from the concept’s design, particularly the V-shaped nose and intricate lighting treatments already referenced on the A390.
While Alpine’s immediate future focuses on electric power, APP can also support hybrid powertrains. Krief previously indicated his preference for V6 hybrid power: the halo car won’t be pure EV but hybrid because more power is needed.
The timing must be right. A halo model should bring new technology, innovation, a completely new customer experience, and raise the entire Alpine team in execution and excellence. Most importantly, it must make business sense.
