Renault Alpine coming in 2010 with midship turbo-power
by Damon Lavrinc on Nov 29th 2007 at 9:03AM 
Renault hasn't done much to tap into its Formula One successes, nor has it provided credible competition to the RX-8s and 350Zs of the world. That's all going to change come 2010. Renault is expected to revive the much-loved Alpine name and slap it on the back of two-door coupe powered by a turbocharged engine mounted amidships. AutoExpress has it on good authority that designers are wrapping up the exterior and that a Megane-bodied mule caught testing on the Nurburgring is actually the new Alpine being put through its paces. Renault is confident that the new coupe won't go the way of the Sport Spider that was dropped in 1997 after it was maligned for offering little refinement and even less practicality. We're hoping to see the Alpine make its concept debut in Paris next year.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John R 9:24AM (11/29/2007)
"Renault hasn't done much to tap into its Formula One successes, nor has it provided credible competition to the...350Zs of the world."
Too me that's like saying it's too bad Toyota doesn't have anything to compete against the WRX.
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Devin 9:35AM (11/29/2007)
You left out the mention of RX-8 being a main competitor to this new Renault. However, The RX-8 is a 2+2 coupe w/ (an arguable) 4 doors. This renault would not be a competitor to that, as it looks from the picture like it would seat only 2.
stefan 9:38AM (11/29/2007)
Renault's are realy ugly so i don't realy care for the new alpina. The old one's wore very nice but they wasn't actualy renault's.
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Kn1ves 9:42AM (11/29/2007)
Oh 240SX how could you. You look so ugly now.
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John R 9:48AM (11/29/2007)
Trigun FTW!
Menice 10:12AM (11/29/2007)
i'm really trying to like it. its not awful.
perhaps if it wasnt smiling at me and it would look less like a cartoon.
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John R 10:12AM (11/29/2007)
I don't think I wasn't clear enough. Renault owns Nissan (whatever the arrangment is) so I'm kinda confused as to why it would need to compete with itself. If the author had just said the RX-8, the Boxster or the Opel GT, I wouldn't be as confused.
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NRI 10:58AM (11/29/2007)
Isn't that a Nissan 350Z with super ugly headlights? and frill
What has happened to making cars look sleek and mean?
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NRI 10:59AM (11/29/2007)
Oops....I meant grill but frill will do
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calebe 1:19PM (11/29/2007)
It will probably be pretty good actually. Autoexpress says it isnt aimed at the 350ZX or the RX8 like Lavrinc says, but at the MX5. It will be less expensive than the Nissan and Mazda. Hoping to draw some of those buyers into the cheaper Renault. They (Renault) have been stuffing big power in the back of little hatch backs for decades. They could just rebody a Cleo V6 but it looks like they are going with the larger Megan.
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Richard 1:12PM (11/29/2007)
Ah! The OTHER car that rightfully owns metallic electric blue as a color.
I hope they make it. I hope they bring it to the USA.
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EMC 6:15PM (11/29/2007)
It should be more flowing and elegant... It's way too "cartoon-y"
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nagmashot 8:05PM (11/29/2007)
Renault has nothing to competition with the slow RX-8?
The Renault Megane R26 F1 Team is at most europen track tests clearly faster as the Mazda RX-8... and that with a FWD hatchback
Hockenheim shorttrack
RX-8 1:19.8min
R26 1:18.6min
Oschersleben racetrack
RX-8 1:56.14min
R26 1:51.78min
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SPG 11:11PM (12/02/2007)
Everybody must be thinking this...
Next-Gen Delorean basis?
Are you listening John?
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