There will be no turning back. Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn gave the final green light to the revival of the legendary Alpine brand, synonymous with sports and automobiles, has-been learned union source Wednesday. The firm commitment to revive Alpine, after 20 years of slumber, “we announced in works council last week”, told AFP the CGT factory of Dieppe (Seine-Maritime) Patrick Carel, confirming a report unveiled by the magazine Challenges. “We knew that the vehicle would be. Besides, there is the work currently preparing its production,” said Mr. Carel.
An exceptional record
The resurrection the brand that won the first championship rally world manufacturer in 1973 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1973 was already mentioned by Renault for three years, but had encountered several obstacles. Renault announced the end of 2012 have partnered with the British Caterham, now in Formula 1, to produce in Dieppe, historic stronghold of Alpine, a sports car sold under the two brands. But the Malaysian billionaire Tony Fernandes, Caterham owner, had sold his team in mid-2014 to a consortium of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors, and had disengaged from its collaboration with the firm to the diamond.
In the process, Mr. Ghosn and industrialist Vincent Bolloré had announced in September 2014 that small Bluecar electric cars for car sharing (Autolib ‘) would be produced in the plant in Dieppe from the second half of 2015 . This industrial partnership was presented as a “guarantee for the future” for the industrial site small (300 employees), which for now only assembles as sports versions of the Clio RS.
Investment of 600 million euros
The return of Alpine was also much to Carlos Tavares, former number two at Renault motorsport enthusiast. His transition to competition in early 2014, when he became Chairman of the Management Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën, had fueled rumors of a cancellation. According to Challenges, Mr. Ghosn has made an investment of 600 million euros to revive Alpine, a prototype and prefiguring the series model could make its appearance on the sidelines of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in mid-June. The newspaper even evokes an SUV project (urban 4×4) in pipes, like what is provided in Italian Maserati.
Preview at Le Mans in June
A source close to the diamond group declined to confirm the figures Challenges, or form that could take a range extension . However, this source speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that the next edition of the endurance test would Sarthe during a presentation related to the Alpine brand. Renault, which has revived the name of Alpine last year on the circuits via the World Endurance Championship, had already mentioned for its new model the term “berlinetta of the century”, respectful of its heritage, reference the famous A110, world rally champion in 1973.
Marketing in 2017
A source close to the firm to the diamond, the next round of Alpine will be presented in final form in 2016 and sold the following year. Other iconic models include standard Alpine A310 produced from 1971 to 1984, as digging the A110 in the parts inventory of the then National Board, and ATM / A610 (1984-1995), who had left the world of light to approach the sports touring, comfortable and equipped with powerful V6 engines. Victim of disaffection buyers, the brand founded by Jean Rédélé in 1955 and acquired in early 1970 by Renault was subsequently mothballed and Dieppe plant had switched to the production of Renault models including sports.
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