Official: Renault to Start Making Alpines Again in Late 2016

Renault has finally set a date for launching production of its Alpine brand at the end of 2016 according to Bernard Olivier, head of Alpine.

In an interview with Reuters, Olivier confessed that Alpine sales will start the following year in Europe and other key emerging markets with an annual production volume of around 3,000 cars with a pick of 5,000 initially “due to the novelty factor”.

Production of Alpines has stopped since 1995 and the first model is set to be a mid-engined sports car. The French brand has a huge motorsport legacy and is no stranger to lightweight solutions. There is no info on what engines are going to be used but chances are in favor of a turbocharged solution.

The first Alpine of the new era is expected to be very different from the A110-50 Concept revealed back in 2012. “The key words for the vehicle are style, enjoyment and sporting spirit” Bernard Olivier said a couple of months ago.

By reviving Alpine, Renault hopes to inject some excitement in the company’s image. So, what do you think? French Alfa Romeo 4C anyone?

By Michael Karkafiris

Note: Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept and Alpine GT Vision pictured