Geneva show: Alpine’s A110 finally comes out

YEARS in gestation, Renault’s ultra-light Alpine A110 sports coupe has finally gone public in a pair of images released ahead of the in-the-flesh launch at this month’s Geneva motor show.

The pictures reveal a design faithful to a series of Vision concepts produced by the born-again French sportscar-maker since 2012, each drawing inspiration from the legendary Alpine A110 of the 1960s. Signature features include the prominent rally-style driving lights and ridge running up the middle of the bonnet.

Alpine has confirmed that the mid-engine coupe will be built on a bespoke aluminium platform and cloaked in aluminium panels to keep weight in check.

According to European reports, the A110 weighs little more than one tonne, enhancing both performance and agility.

Power will be supplied by a bored-out 1.8-litre version of the Renault Clio RS’s 1.6-litre turbo-charged engine that, in its Clio RS220 Trophy hatchback form, produces up to 162kW of power.

The bigger Alpine variant is expected to generate as much as 223kW, making Alpine’s performance target – a four-second 0-100km/h dash – possible.

Confirming the A110 badge, Alpine – now a stand-alone division of Renault – said the name reflected “the timeless principles of compact size, light weight and agility that made the success of the ‘berlinette’,” the traditional French nickname for a two-door coupe.

The car is expected to be built alongside Renault’s Clio RS at its boutique plant at Dieppe, on the northern French coast.

The A110 will be built in right-hand drive, with production of vehicles for markets such as the United Kingdom and Australia promised relatively soon after initial European orders.

Key specification of the A110 have been promised at next week’s Geneva show where Alpine managing director Michael van der Sande and chief engineer David Twohig will formally present Alpine’s first car in two decades.

Ultimately, at least three Alpine models including an SUV are expected in the Alpine range.

Alpine is expected to take Renault back into North America where the dealer networks of sister brands Nissan and Infiniti could open the door.

China also looms large on Alpine’s proposed global roll out.

Alpine was founded in 1955 by Jean Redele, a successful French rally driver in the 1950s and 1960s, and the son of a Dieppe Renault dealer.

Redele’s rally car modifications formed the basis of his hot-shop business that was formalised in 1955, with Renault’s blessing.

Redele got the name Alpine while on a successful rally foray in the French Alps.