Who: Alpine, Renault’s sporty sub-brand
What: A new range of performance EVs
When: Beginning 2024
Why: Because Alpine wants to take on the likes of Porsche, Mercedes-AMG and Tesla
Alpine has given us our first glimpse at its electric future, releasing these shadowy silhouettes of its upcoming trio of performance cars.
As previously reported by Torquecafe, Alpine is using its new Formula 1 team and Le Mans Prototype program to take on a much greater role with the Renault Group. It will now be responsible for all performance cars, effectively taking over from Renault Sport; a brand with a long and illustrious history of making hot hatches.
While the first all-new model from Alpine isn’t expected until 2024, the company has shown us what to expect with these images released recently. As expected the initial trio of electric Alpines will include a replacement for the current A110, a hot hatch based on the upcoming Renault 5 revival and a coupe-style SUV.
Sports car
We already know that Alpine is working with Lotus to produce an all-new electric sports car platform that will be used by both brands. Known as the ‘E-Sports architecture’ it will be vital to the future success of Alpine, as the petrol-powered A110 has failed to really threaten the established brands; even if it has won critical praise.
While Alpine is playing its cards close to its chest on the news sports car, Lotus boss Matt Windle has previously spoken of the goals for the new model – including a target weight on par with the existing petrol-powered sports cars.
“The E-Sports architecture will be flexible and modular, and will generate an exciting new sports car for the Lotus brand, with contemporary styling, class-leading ride and handling, explosive performance and that unmistakable Lotus character – a pure dynamic experience that is ‘For the Drivers’,” Windle said. “I have challenged our teams to target the same weight as our latest combustion engine sports cars.”
Expect similar from Alpine, and as the silhouette demonstrates, it’s clear that the French brand wants to produce a similar compact, mid-engine coupe appearance to the A110. So while the underpinnings will be revolutionary, expect evolutionary styling to retain the brand’s signature look.
Hot hatch
Alpine has confirmed this new model is due in 2024, which will likely make it the first of this trio to hit showrooms. It will be based on the Renault 5, the funky, retro-styled electric city car the French brand has already shown off.
As you can see in the images, the Alpine 5 will likely get a large rear wing and appears to have both a bonnet bulge and rally-style spotlights; at least in this teaser image, although it’s unlikely the extra lights will make the production car.
Under the bonnet the Alpine 5 is expected to upgrade from the Renault version’s 100kW electric motor to a more potent 160kW version used in the upcoming Renault MeganE.
SUV
Speaking of the Renault MeganE, this new small car/SUV crossover is expected to form the basis for the third Alpine model. So far the only details Alpine has revealed is this singular teaser image, which appears to show a very sleek profile with a coupe-style roofline and relatively low stance; which almost makes it look more like a fastback sedan than an SUV.
However, it’s expected to have a crossover look to appeal to the growing number of ‘Hot SUV’ buyers that want a sporty car with a higher bodystyle. Given it’s likely to share underpinnings with the new electric MeganE, it will effectively replace the current Megane RS hot hatch.
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