Renault has reportedly confirmed that it will be axing its joint venture with Caterham from April. The confirmation comes days after news of a likely break up between the two companies' sports car partnership hit the stands. Renault, however, has also confirmed that the Alpine sports car will go on sale in 2016, and the two companies will continue to work together in Formula One. Renault and Caterham, althoug, will now develop their cars seperately. 

 

According to a report from France’s CGT union, dissolving the joint venture project will have no impact on the 300 jobs held for small-series production at the Dieppe factory, thanks to a new agreement to build the Clio RS in Dieppe until 2018.

 

The deal between Caterham and Renault was forged in 2013, with the partnership dubbed ‘Societe des Automobiles Alpine Caterham (SAAC). However, it is not clear whether the two cars will continue to share the same architecture and powertrains. 

 

The Alpine has been tipped to get 250bhp, with Caterham said to be chasing close to 300bhp. The targeted kerb weight is 1100kg.