Renault will revive its Alpine performance brand in 2017, with an all-new sportscar previewed in the form of the Alpine Vision concept. The concept was unveiled at an event in Monte Carlo, a location chosen in memory of the original Alpine’s early successes at the Monte Carlo Rally. The move represents a long-term investment by Renault to expand its footprint in the performance car segment.
The visual similarity to the original Alpine is apparent in the simple, flowing form, the central circular lights, cross graphic in the headlamps and lack of Renault badging. Engine details are scant, though sources indicate that it will have be a 1.8-litre turbocharged unit under the hood with a power rating of around 250bhp as standard, which will increase up to 300bhp in high-performance versions.
The cabin in the concept car is high-tech, featuring a digital dashboard, a rich mix of materials, twin bucket seats, harness belts and aluminium fastening buckles. The chassis of the Alpine Vision is mid-rear engined and lightweight, owing to a mix of materials used to manufacture it. Lightness is an important characteristic of the car – it weighs just 1,100kg. The team responsible for the Alpine Vision concept stated that they focused on a high power-to-weight ratio, as opposed to large amounts of raw power.
The production version of the Alpine Vision, which is expected to go on sale in the UK in the second quarter of 2017, will be very similar to the concept. It will be priced at an estimated £40,000 (approx. Rs 40 lakh), though its entry in the Indian market is unlikely in the near future.