A hydrogen-powered supercar concept has been created by 28 Masters students studying transportation design at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Turin, Italy, in collaboration with Alpine automotive.
The concept is named A4810 in recognition of the 4,810-meter altitude of Mont Blanc, the tallest and most emblematic peak in the Alps, and which sits at the border between Italy and France, symbolizing the link between the Italian design school and the French sports car company.
“The A4810 is a car that embraces next-generation technologies while also championing the traditional characteristics of the Alpine brand that was founded in 1955,” according to an Alpine news release. “A model that is not only technological advanced but also environmentally friendly, the A4810 provides a glimpse into the future supercars.
“The student-led project is an ideal way for Alpine to broaden its horizons to new generations of designers and drivers.”
The two-seat Berlinetta sports car adapts the most forward-looking application of a sustainable hydrogen powertrain with the latest in supercar aesthetics.
“The French spirit has been skillfully preserved: while avoiding the pitfalls of unnecessary formal elements, designers focused on the overlapping layers and sculptural aspects of the car’s silhouette,” the release says. “The bi-tone colors, matte-black, and carbon-fiber highlights create a bold contrast with each part of the car, making them stand out according to their function: aerodynamic, mechanical or merely formal.”
The concept is the result of a challenge put forward to the students by Alpine to create a sustainable yet high-performance car of the future.
“Alpine challenged the students to design a ‘super berlinette’ for the year 2035,” according to the release. “The two-seater supercar was designed to be a high-performing vehicle both in terms of performance and environmental impact.
“After the brief was given last autumn, students worked individually to come up with their own interpretation and present it to the brand. Alpine then selected a combination of the two main ideas. Based on the two selected proposals, the young designers created the ‘A4810 Project by IED,’ a light yet powerful and agile concept car that boasts pure driving pleasure.”
Antony Villain, Alpine design director, said of the project result, “Collaboration with the Istituto Europeo di Design and its students has been a great experience. It was a ‘filter’ for us to see the brand through the eyes of the younger generation, but it was also an opportunity to share our passion and know-how, and give them sound advice for a successful career in automotive design.”
Nice looking car, but unless someone (or some agency) can pull the cart for hydrogen fuel use in the way that Elon Musk has for EV’s, I’m not sure that this or the few existing cars powered in this fashion will find the necessary filling network infrastructure to actually get built.