Renault has confirmed that it will cease production of its Formula 1 power unit at the end of 2025, with the Alpine engine factory at Viry-Châtillon, home to the F1 engine department, being converted to an engineering center by the end of this year.
The Hypertech Alpine engineering center will focus on multiple projects, mainly road cars, battery technology and electric vehicles. Alpine has stated that other existing motorsport activities – WEC, customer racing or Formula E and Rally-Raid for partner brands – will continue at Viry-Châtillon.
The brand also stated that each employee affected by this transformation project will be offered a new position within Alpine Hypertech.
The main projects outlined for the new center include the development of the upcoming Alpine supercar. The Hypertech Alpine’s other focus will be advancing battery technologies for the future. The engineering center will be responsible for the Renault/Alpine’s sports cars and its short- to medium-term battery development.
For longer term, it will also carry out research and advanced engineering activities on the chemistry of ultra-high energy density cells, particularly solid-state battery technology. Furthermore, the center will also develop new electric motor technologies in collaboration with Ampere for the next generation of EVs.
“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,” said Philippe Krief, Alpine CEO.
