Autoblog

Renault confirms 400-HP Alpine concept debuting on Friday *UPDATE [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Renault

Renault has confirmed the unveiling of an Alpine concept at this weekend's Formula One Grand Prix de Monaco, but as we get closer there are new details alongisde new questions. Just yesterday came the leaked image of a concept called the A110-50C, heavily based on the Renault DeZir concept, that could turn out to be the thing itself or pure Photoshop fancy. French press is reporting that Renault COO Carlos Tavares has confirmed that a 400-horsepower concept will appear that "could be homologated and on the road in the future," and it will take a lap of the Monaco course.

Another story in the French press has a picture of Sebastian Vettel sitting inside a vintage Alpine 110 racer - the car that all this hubbub is about, an example of which is pictured above. It was taken in mid-April for German GQ magazine at the Barcelona F1 circuit. Vettel and Tavares will supposedly be presenting the concept, but that report indicates the car is called the ZAR and suspects the first letter is for "zero emissions," the second for Alpine, the third perhaps for Renault. A report in CNET France also claims the ZAR appellation for the concept, allowing that the meaning of the acronym can only be supposition for now. True, the DeZir was an all-electric concept, so either the A110-50C/ZAR has 400 electric horsepower and there isn't any mid-mounted 3.5-liter Nissan V6, or Renault has found a way to break every single law of internal combustion... or we just don't know what's really in there.

We'll should know all come Friday at 1:00 PM local time.

* UPDATE: The leaked image (inset) is the real deal. Renault has released some teaser photos and a video, and the reveal will happen on French Yahoo! Autos on Friday at 1:01 p.m. Monaco time. Scroll down to watch the teaser vid.

Continue reading Renault confirms 400-HP Alpine concept debuting on Friday *UPDATE [w/video]

Renault confirms 400-HP Alpine concept debuting on Friday *UPDATE [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault Alpine A110-50 concept leaked ahead of Monaco debut

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Renault

If Jesus had treated Lazarus' resurrection like Renault has treated that of its Alpine brand, Lazarus would have politely requested, "Please, leave me alone." In 2008, the Alpine's return was rumored to come riding on the platform of the Nissan 370Z. In 2009 the revival was declared D.O.A along with the co-developed Nissan 200SX. In 2010 it was back on, the new Alpine to be based on the reputation-making Alpine A110 Berlinette. In January of this year there were still rumors but still no car, with scuttlebutt pegging a concept showing at this year's Paris Motor Show.

Finally, just this month the goat entrails predicted a showing of a new Alpine at the Monaco Grand Prix, which arrives in the principality this weekend. And the leaked rendering pictured above of the Renault A110-50 concept is the very Alpine purportedly to be revealed on Friday. Looking more inspired by the Renault DeZir concept (right) from two years ago, with some uneven assistance from Photoshop, all Renault needs to do is omit the two supplementary nostrils on the leading edge and tell us where to send a deposit. The built-up concept is loosely based on a Renault Megane with a tube-frame chassis, hiding a 400-horsepower V6 amidships.

Not that it will ever be made, but at least we have something to look at now and perhaps even to touch come this Friday. Or could it get made? One more false start we neglected to mention was just last year when Renault scrapped the Alpine brand again, opting to provide a new roadster for its Renaulsport brand. The car proposed for that endeavor: a production version of the DeZir. We hope to know more on Friday, so stay tuned.

Renault Alpine A110-50 concept leaked ahead of Monaco debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renaultsport to get its own dedicated roadster?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Renault

Renault DeZir Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Most European automakers have their own dedicated performance division. What separates a line within the automaker's range from a stand-alone brand, however, is the production of its own unique models. AMG, for example, straddled the divide with the SLS, which doesn't exist as a non-AMG version, but is still labeled as a Mercedes-Benz. BMW's M division, on the other hand, only produces tweaked versions of the company's regular production models. Abarth has long been rumored to get its own roadster model, separate from Fiat's range. But if the latest reports from across the pond prove accurate, Renaultsport could beat them to the punch.

Renault had been toying with the idea of reviving the old Alpine name with a dedicated sportscar, but word is that those plans have been scrapped in favor of a Renaultsport roadster. The French automaker's motorsport and tuning division (ironically based at the old Alpine factory) is well known for its hot hatches, and previously produced the Spider as its own model some 15 years ago.

Rumor has it that the Renaultsport Spider's successor could essentially be a production version of the DeZir concept (pictured above) that previewed Renault's new design language last year at the Paris salon. It may be too early to tell if the production version would retain the concept's electric drivetrain or go with one of the tuned gasoline or diesel engines from one of the division's existing models, but a limited production run could be in the cards, and could lead to one or two more dedicated Renaultsport models as well. For our part, we can only hope the plans come to fruition, and that maybe a Nissan version might make it to these shores as well.

Gallery: Renault DeZir concept

[Source: Autocar]

Renaultsport to get its own dedicated roadster? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog's Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars

Autoblog's Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010 - Click above to read the list

Just under 70 concept cars were rolled out by automakers from around the globe at this year's major auto shows. These swoopy, futuristic showstoppers usually preview what's to come in terms of new designs and technology, and in some cases, concept cars directly foreshadow full-on production models that aren't too far down the pipeline.

We've scanned back through our full raft of concept car coverage over the past year to pick these examples, our ten best concept car and truck reveals from 2010, ranked in order as judged by our staff. See what we were most eager to point our cameras at after the jump, then sound off with your own favorites (or take us to task for ours) in Comments.

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Continue reading Autoblog's Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

Autoblog's Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Renault Dezir concept is wild, twisted beauty

Zach Bowman — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Design/Style, Electric

Renault Dezir concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Don't let anyone tell you that Renault can't do a concept car. The French manufacturer pulled the sheets back on its all-electric Dezir at this year's Paris Motor Show, and the concept is as sexy as it is absurd. Designers took a stab in an all-new direction with a pair of reverse-hinged butterfly doors that are the epitome of awesome. Likewise, the ultra-wide stance and aluminum sideblades are our kind of flashy. As you might expect, this concept makes use of a fittingly-futuristic powertrain. Renault says that under all of that curvy sheet metal there's a full EV drivetrain on hand.

Surprisingly enough, there isn't supercar-rivaling power on hand, though. The company puts the Dezir final horsepower figure at around 150 ponies and 166 pound-feet of torque - not exactly e-tron rivaling numbers. Even so, the concept is said to be able to dart to around 60 mph in just shy of five seconds. Check it out in our high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Renault Dezir Concept

Gallery: Renault Dezir Concept

Live photos by Drew Phillips, Zach Bowman / AOL

Paris 2010: Renault Dezir concept is wild, twisted beauty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault DeZir concept caught on the streets of Paris

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Europe, Renault, Electric

Renault DeZir Concept on location - Click above for high-res image gallery

Autoblog reader Jason Wright happened upon this scarlet creature, the electric Renault DeZir concept, cruising the streets of Paris. As the spear-tip guiding the way forward for future Renault design, the DeZir is the first statement made by design vice president Laurens van den Acker - perhaps a Frenchified version of the now-dead Nagare styling. Renault calls it 'simple', 'sensuous' and 'warm.' Posit your own thoughts after checking it out in the gallery of high-res photos below. Hat tip to Jason

Gallery: Renault DeZir concept in Paris

Renault DeZir concept caught on the streets of Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Electric

Renault DeZir Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault's home auto show in Paris this Fall will mark the beginning of a new styling direction for the brand, and that means a new concept car. The DeZir is the first major project under new design vice president Laurens van den Acker and according to Renault, it represents the vision of 'simple', 'sensuous' and 'warm.' From where we sit, the shape certainly fulfills the first two elements and the bright red finish is downright hot.

The DeZir wouldn't be a modern Renault concept if it wasn't powered by electrons, and such is the case for this coupe. Energy storage comes by way of the same size 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack that sits under the Nissan Leaf, and the driving range remains the same 100 miles. Unlike the Leaf, the pack in the concept is configured for Quick Drop exchanges.

Propulsion is provided by a 110 kilowatt electric motor spinning the rear wheels and pushing the 1,830 pound concept to 60 mph in 5 seconds (at least according to the spec sheet). Kevlar body panels (including a pair of trick reverse-hinged butterfly doors) are wrapped around a steel tube frame chassis with double wishbones at all four corners. Renault hasn't given any indication yet if the DeZir will be produced. High-res gallery below, full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Renault DeZir concept

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction

Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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