The design of the upcoming Alpine sports car is reportedly being revised as the initial project has given birth to tensions between Renault and Caterham and had a mixed reception from potential customers.
Renault and Caterham are jointly developing the car, but each company will have its own distinct version. A styling mule of the proposed sports car is said to have failed to impress the audience of a secret customer clinic where it was shown.
Consequently, Renault has ordered a rethink, which will delay the project by approximately one year, meaning it will launch in late 2016 at the earliest.
The French carmaker’s decision seemingly did not go down well with Caterham, which had already signed off its final design some months ago. The UK-based company now has to wait for Renault’s new direction for the car and hopes it won’t change too much, as its bodywork will have to retain the same dimensions and fixing points as those of the Alpine.
Both cars will launch at the same time, albeit the Renault-sourced powertrain may be used in different states of tune. The Alpine is rumored to feature around 280hp, while the Caterham should get near 300hp. Both the Alpine and the Caterham will have to weight 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs).
Caterham Group CEO Graham Macdonald admitted the project has been delayed and that there are creative tensions between the two partners. “There are ongoing frustrations on both sides, but we knew there would be challenges from the start,” the executive told Autocar. “It was never going to be easy: we are a small, agile company and they are a large, corporate firm. That’s causing frustrations for us and, I’m sure, for them,” he added.
By Dan Mihalascu
Note: Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept pictured
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