Re: CLIO IV RS for 2013, Last news
Not directly new informations about the Clio 4RS but on the rebirth soon of the legendary brand ALPINE (I remember that the factory in the city of Dieppe where are built the Renault Sport is the old legendary factory of Alpine and the brand that we can see is really "Renault Sport-Alpine"
I hope that the translation in English of this French new is good ^^
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Renault is expected to announce soon the rebirth of Alpine
Alain-Gabriel Verdevoye | 29/10/2012
Renault is expected to announce the revival of the famous legendary sports brand. The new Alpine would be a partnership with the British manufacturer Caterham (^^). But it should be assembled in the historic French factory in the city of Dieppe in Normandy.
Renault expected to announce the revival of the famous sports brand Alpine, according to our information. The announcement could even early November. Resurrection desired by Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer of the Renault motor sport enthusiast. Finally some good news in the automotive landscape quite devastated French these days. The car would be a partnership with the French Caterham, according to our sources. This small sports manufacturer founded in the late '50s only produces about 400 vehicles a year, but it is deemed a real know-how in the field of sports ultra-light. Despite this partnership, the final assembly of the new Alpine Renault - since this should be the official name of the new label - would be guaranteed a priori by the factory in Dieppe Normandy ... historic birthplace of the brand.
A price of 35 to 40,000 €
For this new iconic car, which takes the label world rally champion in the early 70s, "the target is priced around 35 to 40,000 euros," according to the information we had gathered internally in July. The vehicle may develop "200-250 horses," remain quite light weighing "1.2 to 1.3 tonne" only, with dimensions very contained "less than 4.30 meters long." This Alpine "look like the berlinetta A 110 (the legendary car of the 60s and early 70s)," further stated recently latribune.fr the boss of Renault Design, Laurens van den Acker, who stated: "Mini and Fiat 500 are two good examples. " A word ... For the first time, a French manufacturer would therefore be the "retro" on the basis of its historical models. The car can reach the market within three years, that is to say in the middle of the decade. Renault had already tried to recreate the brand previously. Three projects have emerged since the 90s, without ever crossing the stage until the green light, lack of profitability achieved.
A history dating back to 1955
Created by a Renault dealer, Jean Rédélé, Dieppe (Seine Maritime) Alpine lived forty years of history and passion ... turbulent. It all started in 1955 with a small coupe, unveiled at Paris under the name "Alpine Thousand Miles" which was based on a modest basis 4CV. Berlinette A108 was unveiled to its share in 1960. Vehicle key, which will serve as a basis for A 110. She became the French sports car par excellence, relatively expensive, difficult to drive, cramped, but with a phenomenal lightness and agility . These are assets that will allow Porsche to effectively counteract much more powerful. Alpine finally wins the World Rally title in 1973. The heyday.
The failure of the French Porsche
Porsche to become the French talked about already Rédélé John wants a car larger, richer, less difficult to drive. The A310 will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971. Poorly finished, with a motor less noble than the competition, it will not be the genius of the berlinetta, despite its undeniable qualities. A too fat, Alpine loses its basic features (compactness, lightness, simplicity). The decline began. The A310 will be replaced in 1985 by the GTA. Meanwhile, Renault Alpine has recovered and added to a small R5 Alpine range in the mid 70s. This simple R5, just more powerful and slightly modified compete (poorly) the new Golf GTI. In 1991, Renault released the A610 with a 250-horsepower turbocharged V6. Las. Sales remain confidential. In France, the market does not carry GT because of dissuasive taxation (already!) and speed limits. And abroad, the Alpine name no longer evokes nothing, because the brand was withdrawn at the end of 70 years of the competition. To make matters worse, the quality and reliability are really bad. So, in 1995, Renault announced the end of Alpine, in a full indifference.