At last, Renault could be producing a replacement Alpine Berlinette (A110)

[Matra et Alpine]

OK, it's only a concept so far, but it's beautiful

Patrick le Quément, Renault Design manager, declared in a magazine, he will not quit Renault without designing a car in the spirit of the famous Berlinette...

Renault has announced a new concept car - Wind.
It will be introduced at the Geneva Car Exhibition 2004.

And this car seems to be very exciting !

2+1 roadster with a streamlined design and lively performance
850 Kg
simple and light interior
a well known engine (4 cylinder 2.0 136 bhp)

Some of the design shares Nissan 350Z ideas and parts.





I hope they put an Alpine badge back on the car to resurrect one of the greatest names in sportscars

[Dino Scuderia]

I don't understand the reference to the A110, it never was a drop top, and this concept doesn't do the reference justice.

I do agree the Alpine name should be revived.

Some years ago illustrator Mark Stehrenberger made a drawing of a new A110 with retro styling to the original, it looked very good. I believe that was in Road and Track magazine.

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by Dino Scuderia

I don't understand the reference to the A110, it never was a drop top

Yes it was, from 63 to 69
And the 108 had similar lines and was also available drop-top in 61/62.
I caused the confusion by saying Berlinette which was ONLY hardtop, but the A110 was available as both - I've changed the title

and this concept doesn't do the reference justice.

True, it would be nicer if it was rear-engine and RWD.
But some of the lines, have similarities to the small Alpine and those that followed.
AND, it's small, lightweight and hopefully drives well

I do agree the Alpine name should be revived.
Some years ago illustrator Mark Stehrenberger made a drawing of a new A110 with retro styling to the original, it looked very good. I believe that was in Road and Track magazine.

There was also a competition in France - mainly driven by the Alpine-Renault clubs for a new Berlinette. There were many, beautiful designs offered. Did the drawing come from that ? I'll try to find them in my collection
For those interested, the Renault press release is now up at http://alpinerenault.free.fr/magazin...esentation.pdf

[Dino Scuderia]

Thanks for the info on the A110 Cabriolet, the concept makes more since in that respect.

I like the post 1970 A110's best.

Mark works for Road and Track so I think his illustration was in their article, not part of a competition.

[Matra et Alpine]

More images from launch pack

[forza_autodelta]

it seems to be a nice car without a big engine but enough to take exciting speeds

[henk4]

Even if I do my extreme best I can't find few attractions originating from this car. May be I'll have a different opinion next week when I have seen the real thing but I doubt it. The Spyder from the mid nineties would have been a much more worthy of carrying the name Alpine, but at that time the killing of the brand was still too recent or hadn't it even taken place?

[netburner]

Originally Posted by henk4

May be I'll have a different opinion next week when I have seen the real thing but I doubt it.

Erm.... this car is from last years Geneva Autosalon, so you won't see it there this year

[QuattroMan]

do you guys know if this car is going hit the U.S market?

[aNOBLEman]

I think that it looks nice. Although the rear reminds me of a Solstice.

[Esperante]

WOW.



My only beef is the windscreen. It looks like the design team was tired and wanted to finish up and just slapped that one on.

[taz_rocks_miami]

Originally Posted by QUATTRO MAN

do you guys know if this car is going hit U.S market?

Since Renault doesn't have dealerships at the moment in the US, I doubt it. But Renault does have a large chain of dealerships in Mexico, so if you want one bad enough; you could by it in Mexico and import it to the US

[Quiggs]

Originally Posted by taz_rocks_miami

Since Renault doesn't have dealerships at the moment in the US, I doubt it. But Renault does have a large chain of dealerships in Mexico, so if you want one bad enough; you could by it in Mexico and import it to the US

Would you be able to federalize it? Or would you have to bring it in on a show-car/race car only title? If so, I think you're limited to 5000 miles annually if at all.

I don't like the concept. Can't put my finger on it, but it doesn't grab me.

[taz_rocks_miami]

Originally Posted by Quiggs

Would you be able to federalize it? Or would you have to bring it in on a show-car/race car only title? If so, I think you're limited to 5000 miles annually if at all.

I don't like the concept. Can't put my finger on it, but it doesn't grab me.

That's a good question, I'm outside the US right now, but I guess you could ask the Department of Transportation what the requirements would be. I believe there is an agreement between Mexico and the US that allows all new cars to be imported back and forth between the two coutries with no problems. But it's a good idea to make sure beforehand

[Matra et Alpine]

The rumours - of which there are many - is that this will share platform and engine with the 350Z. So approvals may not be too difficult.

The ownership of Nissan also gives Renault a route into the US sales channel without having to invest in a new chain. They coudl just double-brand some of their big dealerships !!

I hope this ISN'T the much rumoured return of the Alpine name. it needs rear engine, RWD to deserve the Alpine logo