Alpine is developing a duo of coupe-SUV models that could be based on Lotus underpinnings as hinted at by its CEO, Laurent Rossi. The EVs are set to debut in 2027 and 2028 following the R5 hot hatch and the GT X-over crossover, expanding the automaker’s range to larger segments.
Following the confirmation of the two additional models a few months ago, Alpine’s CEO shared more details about them during the automaker’s recent financial results announcement. As reported by Autocar, Rossi said that Lotus is the “most natural” partner for the coupe-SUVs outside the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. On the other hand, Nissan is now deemed as a less fitting partner for Alpine which is focused on a different segment in terms of performance.
Read: Alpine Alpenglow Concept Debuts With Hydrogen Power, Shows Future Design Language
Lotus is already collaborating with Alpine on the development of the A110 successor, and is open to sharing its platforms with other automakers. A possible candidate for Alpine’s larger coupe-SUV is the Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) that is already underpinning the Lotus Eletre. As for the other model, it could be mechanically related to the upcoming Lotus Type 134 crossover which is set to debut in 2024.
Alpine’s CEO said that the new models will be positioned in the segments of the Porsche Macan and Cayenne, describing them as “two-tonne, five-meter-long cars”. In that context, he admitted they will be more of lifestyle vehicles, adding that in this segment “you’re not going to make a sportscar unless you’re Ferrari”. Still, they will offer great performance and handling for their size, thanks to electrification which allows torque vectoring functions for each wheel.
Alpine wants to enter the US and Chinese markets, where larger vehicles like the new coupe-SUVs have a better chance of selling in big numbers compared to the upcoming hot hatch, compact crossover, and sportscar. Besides the Porsche Macan EV / Cayenne, the duo could also rival the likes of the Audi Q6 e-tron / Q8 e-tron, the Maserati Grecale / Levante Folgore, the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV, and the BMW iX.
While Alpine has confirmed that the GT X-Over will be produced at the Dieppe factory in Northern France by 2025, there are no details on where it will built the larger models.
