Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Renault teams with Caterham to revive historic Alpine brand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/renault-teams-with-caterham-to-revive-historic-alpine-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/renault-teams-with-caterham-to-revive-historic-alpine-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/renault-teams-with-caterham-to-revive-historic-alpine-brand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Renault Classic Alpine

Back in May, Renault rolled out the bright blue Alpine A110-50 concept, suggesting an exciting revival for the historic Alpine name. Today, the automaker has announced a partnership with UK-based Caterham to build high-end sports cars at Renault's Alpine plant in Dieppe, Normandy, in France. Caterham will own a 50-percent stake in the partnership to be called the Societe des Automobiles Alpine Caterham (SAAC).

"This innovative partnership with Caterham embodies a longstanding ambition: the creation of a sports car with the Alpine DNA," said Renault Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn in a press release. It carries both opportunities for the Dieppe plant and the development of its historic know-how."

The two companies released few details of the new venture's products, but the Future Caterham website features the silhouetted outline of a swoopy coupe that very closely matches the A110-50 concept. The two brands expect to release a model each within four years and produce "several thousand vehicles a year," according to Ghosn.

At the press conference there was also Formula 1 talk. Renault no longer directly competes in the series, but does provide engines to four teams including Caterham F1. At the meeting, Caterham Chairman Tony Fernandes said, "If you look at Formula One, there's only Ferrari and McLaren, which are extremely expensive. We'll produce a car that many more people can afford with F1 technology."

Will an Alpine be sold in the States? It seems every European automaker is busy trying to offset sales declines in their traditional markets, so we'd have to say definitely maybe. Stay tuned.

Read the full press release below.

Continue reading Renault teams with Caterham to revive historic Alpine brand

Renault teams with Caterham to revive historic Alpine brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpinealpine a110-50alpine a110-50 conceptcaterhamdiepperenaultrenault alpinerenault caterham partnershipMon, 05 Nov 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20370722/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/05/renault-teams-with-caterham-to-revive-historic-alpine-brand/20370722/article-detail.xml 20370722 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/saac-pr-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/saac-pr-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus could build production versions of Renault Alpine, Infiniti Emerg-E]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/lotus-could-build-production-versions-of-renault-alpine-infinit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/lotus-could-build-production-versions-of-renault-alpine-infinit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/lotus-could-build-production-versions-of-renault-alpine-infinit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



As with one of those blockbuster three-team NBA trades that actually improves the fortunes of every team involved, a report in Autocar indicates that Renault, Infiniti and Lotus are in talks that could benefit both manufacturers and enthusiasts. Renault is considering a production version of the devil-in-blue Alpine A110-50 concept but has said that it "probably needs more than the Renault-Nissan Alliance on its own." Enter Lotus, whose Evora platform could supply the running bits for the mid-engined Alpine revival.

That same Evora platform, in range-extended 414E concept form, is the basis for the Infiniti Emerg-E concept. Even though a decision hasn't been made on the Emerg-E's production, it is still being developed and the company has admitted that it "could be built in Britain." For its part, Lotus has said that it's ahead of schedule on the Evora 414E, with its 408 horsepower, 738 pound-feet of torque and 30-mile electric range. Development funds from both Renault and Infiniti could help make all three cars a closer possibility.

Lotus could build production versions of Renault Alpine, Infiniti Emerg-E originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpinealpine a110-50emerg-eevoraevora 414e hybridinfinitilotusrenaultTue, 14 Aug 2012 17:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20299976/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/14/lotus-could-build-production-versions-of-renault-alpine-infinit/20299976/article-detail.xml 20299976 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/alpinelotusbuild_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/alpinelotusbuild.jpg <![CDATA[Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-does-its-papa-proud/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-does-its-papa-proud/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-does-its-papa-proud/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Renault has officially released details on its Alpine A110-50 Concept. Designed to pay homage to the original Alpine A110, the machine wears a body crafted from carbon fiber and dipped in a shade of the same iconic Alpine Blue we all know and love. Up front, designers worked in a set of half-ring yellow LED lights reminiscent of the hood-mounted fog lights found on the original. That's pretty much where the similarities end, however. Based loosely on the crushingly-sexy Renault Dezir Concept, the new machine boasts proud fender arches, a wild split-wing rear spoiler and scissor doors.

As we'd heard before, the A110-50 Concept rolls on the same chassis as the Megane Trophy, complete with adjustable Sachs dampers, 21-inch wheels and the notable absences of on-board nannies like ABS or traction control. Hefty 14-inch front brake discs are pressed by six-piston calipers, while the 13-inch discs out back make due with four-piston units.

Renault placed a 3.5-liter V6 mid-ship with a full 400 horsepower on hand. A roof mounted-intake funnels air from outside the engine bay into the machine's carbon-fiber intake. Meanwhile, a dual-clutch six-speed gearbox allows the driver the choice of disengaging the transmission via a floor-mounted clutch pedal or shifting via steering-wheel mounted paddles.

Scroll down to check out the full press release as well as a couple videos.

Continue reading Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud

Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a110-50alpinealpine a110-50alpine a110-50 conceptcarbon fiberconceptconcept carledmegane trophymonaco grand prixrenault alpine a110-50renault alpine a110-50 conceptrenault dezirrenault dezir conceptFri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20245135/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/25/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-does-its-papa-proud/20245135/article-detail.xml 20245135 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/remault-alpine-s110-50-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/remault-alpine-s110-50-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/renault-alpine-new-images-and-teaser-video-surface-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/renault-alpine-new-images-and-teaser-video-surface-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/renault-alpine-new-images-and-teaser-video-surface-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept

Renault has turned over a few more photos of its all-new Alpine A110-50 ahead of the machine's debut at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. The new shots show off the sports car's rear end for the first time. The total package looks more than a little like the Renault DeZir concept, though we're told the chassis is borrowed almost entirely from the company's Megane Trophy.

If the two machines share more than bones, that means we can expect to see a 3.5-liter V6 engine mounted mid-ship. The powerplant churns out 360 horsepower in standard guise, though the A110-50 is said to clear over 400 horsepower.

In addition to the few photos, Renault also served up a brief teaser video showing the covered machine as it is being unloaded from a transport. Check it out for yourself, and stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Continue reading Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video]

Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a110-50alpine a110-50conceptmonaco grand prixrenaultrenault alpine a110-50Thu, 24 May 2012 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20244365/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/renault-alpine-new-images-and-teaser-video-surface-w-video/20244365/article-detail.xml 20244365 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-alpine-renault-a110-50-concept-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-alpine-renault-a110-50-concept-628.jpg -1 2