In an interview with the French server largus.fr ( http://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/quel-avenir-pour-alpine-la-reponse-de-bernard-ollivier-4604379.html#hmpg_ctlt_nglt ) about the future of the Alpine brand was interviewed by its current boss, Bernard Ollivier. He talks about the fact that the plans with the Apline brand have shifted a little – not because of the departure of its original boss Carlos Tavares to PSA, but because of the termination of cooperation with the Caterham Cars car manufacturer.
The preparation of the first model is in full swing, the novelty should probably start to be sold in the region of 2016. Already this year, Alpine expects to sell three thousand cars. This means that it will be a relatively exclusive affair, although the car should not be expensive. In an interview with Largus magazine, Ollivier indicated that the car should have an unbeatable ratio of price to driving performance.
The upcoming car is certainly not going to compete with super sports models from Porsche or Ferrari, it will be smaller and lighter. The car should have a great image, be light and very agile. At the same time, the upcoming production car is not technically or design-wise based on the A110-50 study from 2012, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the car company. The new product is supposed to be a completely independent model in terms of appearance and technology. However, the concept with the engine in front of the rear axle, low silhouette and minimal weight will remain.
The first modern Alpine model will thus compete with, for example, the Alfa Romeo 4C, Porsche Cayman or Lotus Exige. The drive will probably be provided by a turbocharged two-liter Renault. Ollivier also revealed that the Alpine brand wants to continue the racing activities that are part of its heritage. A return to rallying is not yet planned, mainly because the upcoming model does not fit into the current rules of the sport. Instead, Alpine will continue to focus on endurance racing and GT touring car racing.
Excursion into history
On the racing circuits, the Alpine brand has recently been appearing in the LMP2 category with the essentially rebranded Oreca 03 prototype. In this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car took seventh place overall and third in class. The team returned to the racing track last year. The Alpine prototype last raced at Le Mans in 1978. Alpine passenger cars have been in production for much longer, the Renault Alpine A610 model was produced in the years 1991-1995. Renault Spider in the years 1996-1999.
The Alpine car company has produced only six series models in its history. The very first car was the Alpine A106 from 1955. The car was based on the Renaulut 4CV technology and received some of the hallmarks of the brand, such as a rear-mounted engine. The model was produced until 1961, but already in 1958 another type came – Alpine A108. It gradually took over the role of the main model and was produced until 1965, even in a convertible version.
Already in 1961, however, it was the turn of the car that probably made the brand famous the most. Legendary A110 with technology from Renault R8. It became famous in the early seventies as one of the best rally specials. In 1973, the Alpine-Renault factory team (the brand was already fully owned by the French car company) became the first winner of the newly founded World Rally Championship series. The famous model was produced until 1977.
From 1971 to 1984, the Apline A310 type was produced, which was the first to receive a six-cylinder engine. It was followed by the GTA model produced between 1986 and 1991, and then the Alpine A610, the last model for the time being. In addition to series models and racing cars derived from them, a whole series of racing specials was also created.
Author: Jindřich Topol, AAA AUTO regional purchasing manager
