Skip advert
Advertisement

Upcoming hot Renault models to wear Alpine badges

Former SEAT boss and mastermind of the Cupra sub-brand plots similar path for Renault and Alpine

New Renault CEO Luca de Meo has confirmed that future hot Renault models will wear Alpine badges, revealing that a new generation of hot models from the French company is on the horizon. 

“As I did with Cupra, I will find a point of contact between the Alpine brand and some Renault models,” de Meo told Auto Express. “We need to be credible on that, so I’m not going to do that with Kangoo or Espace – I’m going to do that with things that fit the positioning of the brand.”

That could mean that the new Renault Clio - currently without a hot Renaultsport version in its line-up - could be one of the first Renaults to receive the new sub-branding, with the Captur possibly following it to produce a rival to the new Ford Puma ST.

Advertisement - Article continues below

De Meo is setting up Alpine as a new business unit headed by current Renault F1 team managing director Cyril Abiteboul. It will comprise the F1 team (set to be rebranded Alpine from Renault for the 2021 season), the Renaultsport engineering business (described by de Meo jokingly as “a tribe of freaks doing very special stuff”) and the historic elements of the Alpine brand. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

“What I saw was the possibility to combine those things together to create what I call a mini-Ferrari – putting the F1 team at the centre of a business ecosystem and create a brand with a presence in motorsport, engineering, production and distribution.

“We have to stop with the nostalgia on Alpine and use Alpine as an opportunity to project ourselves into the future, when it comes to distribution, technology, electric cars, etc.”

De Meo also hinted that he would open up the distribution network from the current 70 dealers out of a global number of 11,000 Renault retailers.

On the current Alpine A110, de Meo confirmed that the model has a future that could include electrification. “I want to organise a lifecycle management of the A110 a little bit like the Porsche 911, so we will have different versions. 

“Maybe we can turn the car one day to an electric version if we manage to solve the business case if we maybe find a partner.

“One of the missions we could give to Alpine is to make the electric car experience emotional and thrilling – we have a couple of ideas!”

De Meo is just over three months into his second spell at Renault – this time as CEO – and has already introduced the Megane e-Vision concept to the market, a car that is, he says, 95% true to an all-electric Megane crossover that will go on sale next year. He has also promised to present an eight year plan for the future of Groupe Renault in the new year.

Would you like to see more Alpine models? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Rétromobile 2025: inside France’s giant classic car show
Rétromobile 2025

Rétromobile 2025: inside France’s giant classic car show

Classic car shows can draw in massive crowds but Rétromobile is on a different scale…
News
5 Feb 2025
Single-seat Renault Filante Record 2025 is the French brand’s most outrageous EV yet
Renault Filante Record 2025 - Rétromobile front 3/4

Single-seat Renault Filante Record 2025 is the French brand’s most outrageous EV yet

The incredibly sculptural design is inspired by record-breaking cars from Renault’s past
News
5 Feb 2025
Renault and Volvo launch ‘revolutionary’ Flexis electric vans, arriving in 2026
Renault and Volvo launch ‘revolutionary’ Flexis electric vans - header

Renault and Volvo launch ‘revolutionary’ Flexis electric vans, arriving in 2026

The companies are working together to create a family of electric vans based on an EV-dedicated skateboard platform
News
29 Jan 2025
Car Deal Alert! 0% PCP finance Renault models including the hot new Renault 5
Renault 5 - full width front

Car Deal Alert! 0% PCP finance Renault models including the hot new Renault 5

A huge range of Renault’s cars are now available with 0% APR finance over a 24-month period
News
9 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Leaf for under £140 a month is bargain electric motoring
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Leaf for under £140 a month is bargain electric motoring

It may be getting on a bit, but the Leaf still represents simple – and cheap – electric motoring. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 February
News
3 Feb 2025
Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition gets a price hike, but it’s still cheap-as-chips
Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition - front

Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition gets a price hike, but it’s still cheap-as-chips

The petrol Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition now starts from £18,995, while the electric version comes in at £27,495
News
5 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts