Reborn Renault Alpine leaks

[AVANTI R5]

New concept gets 395bhp V6 and could make production within 30 months if Renault can make a business case

The Renault Alpine is to make a comeback as a stunning new concept car at this weekend’s Monaco grand prix. A leaked image has surfaced on the internet of the concept, which shows the 21st century Alpine’s styling is heavily influenced by the acclaimed DeZir concept first shown at the 2010 Paris motor show.

Renault design chief Laurens van den Acker confirmed to Autocar earlier this year that Renault was keen to mark the 50th anniversary of the original Alpine A110 with a new concept.

The Alpine concept is understood to be based on the tube-framed chassis of the Megane Trophy race car. Power is reportedly from a mid-mounted V6 with 395bhp and 310lb ft.

Marketing boss Stephen Norman told Autocar at the Geneva motor show that Renault would “do everything we can to make it [the Alpine] work” for production. “If we could make the sums work, which we are desperately trying to do, we could do it in 30 months.”

If the Alpine made production, Renaultsport would lead the development as Norman described Alpine and Renaultport “disassociable”. “Alpine would be a Renaultsport developed car but sold as an Alpine,” he said.

But Norman cautioned that positioning the car could be tricky. “Where it would slot in? It would be a lightweight, high-performance sports car, but you cannot produce cars with rubber mats and manual window winders anymore. They don’t sell.

“Similarly, with Alpine, you don’t just lift parts off the Renault components shelf.

“We wouldn’t make an Alpine to lose money. It probably means a) that the car has to have worldwide appeal and b) you wouldn’t want to do it on your own. It probably needs more than the Renault-Nissan alliance on its own.”

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[boostdog]

i'd rock it!

[cannedtuna]

This would be awesome to see, even if won't be offered for sale stateside

[White out]

go on . . . .





Nick

[Chris_Lee]

Looks cool but just 395/310 from a v6...I don't know, it just seems like they could do better.

[Vostok 7]

Meh. Less never-attainable-halo-car, more mid-engine-multi-foglights-rally-awesomeness please.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by Vostok 7

Meh. Less never-attainable-halo-car, more mid-engine-multi-foglights-rally-awesomeness please.

Revival of the Renault 5 Alpine Turbo maybe? There was a Renault Sport Clio V6 for a little while (mid-engined and RWD like the R5 Turbo) but it didn't last unfortunately .

[torquemada]

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

Revival of the Renault 5 Alpine Turbo maybe? There was a Renault Sport Clio V6 for a little while (mid-engined and RWD like the R5 Turbo) but it didn't last unfortunately .

You never heard about the Renault Clio RS Cup Phase III or the Renault Megane Coupe RS Trophy, do you?

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by torquemada

You never heard about the Renault Clio RS Cup Phase III or the Renault Megane Coupe RS Trophy, do you?

I'm pretty sure the Clio RS Cup is front-engined and the Renault Megane Coupe Trophy is not street legal.
The cool thing about the Renault 5 Turbo and the V6 Clio is that you could walk into a Renault dealership, buy one and legally drive it home.
But, I agree with you, the RenaultSport Megane Coupe Trophy is probably as good as it gets.

[torquemada]

both are FWD, both are street legal, both are faster than the older ones.

[Vostok 7]

I don't know what you guys are talking about, but none of it sounds like this:

[mhoward1]

Love the A310 which was never a powerhouse. Maybe a return of that?

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by torquemada

both are FWD, both are street legal, both are faster than the older ones.

I was thinking about the Megane Coupe Trophy from 2009. It's RWD and it's mid-engined (sporting a Nissan-sourced 3.5L V6 rated at 360HP). It's not street legal.
I'm well aware of the Megane RS 250 and Megane RS 265 but as you said they are front-engined and FWD. They are not Alpine material.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by Vostok 7

I don't know what you guys are talking about, but none of it sounds like this:

Yeah, no, sorry, I wasn't talking about that Alpine .

[mpristave]

The old Alpines were moderately affordable this will not be at all. I dont get it. Why build a car that nobody can drive? Build like a rear engine V6 porsche fighter like your old car.

[lovin' it]

What about the Twingo!lol!:-P

[SCRAPPYDO]

I mean, just look at that blue car and that yellow car. I would take the A110 a thousand times over, even with its 125 HP 1.6 liter aluminum engine and moderate performance I would take it over that yellow thing. The cool factor is off the charts with the A110

[mhoward1]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

I mean, just look at that blue car and that yellow car. I would take the A110 a thousand times over, even with its 125 HP 1.6 liter aluminum engine and moderate performance I would take it over that yellow thing. The cool factor is off the charts with the A110

Yeah, but you like old stuff.

[torquemada]

A310



A610

[torquemada]

and this was interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixnjNcj_Cks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixnjNcj_Cks

[Integra96]

Yes. I have a thing for French cars.

[mhoward1]

What came out to roughly $19k after VAT and such on that A310 was a bargain for someone.

[SCRAPPYDO]

I am still blown away at French engineering.

3 lugs?

a two barrel and a single barrel each feeding different cylinders! What the hell. A 1450 Holley is a fine carb, and has been put on just about anything with an engine in it. But I still think that there must be a better way to do it.

But what a cool looking car.

[torquemada]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF8xXrOtrQg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF8xXrOtrQg

[Vostok 7]

Originally Posted by torquemada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF8xXrOtrQg

It's hot and all, but what is there to differentiate it from all the plethora of untouchable $100k+ halo cars out there? *yawn*

If they had made a car that was affordable and fun and recalled more of the original A110, I would have been a lot more interested.