Tuesday 17th January 2017

Alpine teases aluminium body

We'll see the production car at Geneva; here are the aluminium body and panels it'll be made of

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Funny isn't it; for all the manufacturers seeking to escape the 'stigma' of using fibreglass bodywork in an age where carbon weave is spun as marketing gold and 'high tech' alloys of aluminium and steel are celebrated, Alpine is one with heritage in using the material. And, arguably, could have made its new car out of the same and passed on the cost-saving to the customers with little sacrifice in the stated aim of making the car lightweight and agile. A strong, light and rigid aluminium structure with cost-effective GRP bodywork still seems to work for Lotus, after all. And Hethel's products would appear to be very much in the sights of the French firm's rebirth.

"Engineered to ensure flawless agility"

Seemingly Renault takes a different view though and, in the latest pre-launch teaser, has confirmed investment in "the prestige of aluminium" as the material of choice for the new Alpine. Shared in the latest Alpine newsletter (sign up on the company website if you want to keep up to speed) and in Tweets by boss, former Aston Martin man Michael van der Sande. Follow him on @mvandersande if you want to go full fanboy stalker...

Information on the car Autocar is calling the A120 is sparse but the newsletter does reveal a few titbits. "The new Alpine's frame is a fundamental feature of the car's design since it houses its engine, transmission and suspension. The use of aluminium for this bespoke platform ensures light weight. It has been engineered to ensure flawless agility." This is all very comforting and, to be honest, nothing out of the ordinary. One of the photos released with the newsletter shows the rear end of the shell and the exposed hardpoints for the rear subframe, the other what looks like the front wings on a production line jig or trolley.

"Only a small number of carmakers use aluminium for the bodywork of their models," it continues. "Sculpting assembling and welding aluminium calls for a unique expertise. The reward is a significant weight saving and a high-quality finish."

With Lotus sticking with GRP over aluminium, Alfa Romeo offering a full carbon tub and now Alpine weighing in with all-aluminium there will be some interesting comparisons to be made between the Elise, 4C and Alpine, despite them all sharing a fundamentally similar layout of a mid-mounted transverse four-cylinder engine. We're expecting further updates ahead of the big reveal at Geneva; until then you can seemingly still put your name down for one of the 1,955 Premier Edition versions with UK deliveries starting around this time next year.

[Sources: Autocar]

[dafeller]

ARgggh. I can feel the want bubbling up on this.

[Fury1630]

"The new Alpine's frame is a fundamental feature of the car's design since it houses its engine, transmission and suspension."

Radical stuff! Just how stupid do they think the buying public are? Maybe it's just the PR dept that's dumbed down?

[mk1fan]

Looks very Tuscan esque rear quarter.

[Tuvra]

mk1fan said:

Looks very Tuscan esque rear quarter.

Does it? I was thinking more RX8

[Kenny Powers]

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this car turns out, but talk about putting a spin on it. There's little or nothing particularly exotic about the construction of that BIW. Sure, aluminium necessitates alternative joining techniques over regular steel bodies, but it's nothing particulary special in the world of body construction. Perhaps fifteen years ago I'd have been impressed.

Nice try though

[sad61t]

A rather gushing review from Autocar. Bombardier are using aluminium for constructing London Underground carriages. Not sure they're tuned for flawless agility, though they do corner like they're on rails. https://youtu.be/D8ZdfgdzZss

[GranCab]

"The history of aluminum in cars, aluminum has been a key material for automakers since the beginning.

The first sports car featuring an aluminum body was unveiled at the Berlin International Motor Show in 1899.

Two years later, the first engine with aluminum parts was developed by Carl Benz.

Following World War II, aluminum had become inexpensive enough to be considered for use in mass-produced vehicles."

So ... nothing much new here then ....

[MarshPhantom]

Love these. Any news on the gearbox?

I really am rather tempted. Looks great, and also nice and different.

[Onehp]

Nice to see a costly bespoke platform ina lightweight material to be used for a small scale sportscar without an astronomical price.

If not new (you moaners above), it is quite rare and to be applauded by the PH public.

Still want a manual option though...

[MarshPhantom]

Onehp said:

Nice to see a costly bespoke platform ina lightweight material to be used for a small scale sportscar without an astronomical price.

If not new (you moaners above), it is quite rare and to be applauded by the PH public.

Still want a manual option though...

Shame about the moaners. Lotus employees worried the new Alpine may put them out of business maybe?

[jonby]

I can't wait for mine to arrive !

Mostly sold out, but c. 250 of the launch edition cars still remain available to order in RHD markets via the app

[MarshPhantom]

GranCab said:

"The history of aluminum in cars, aluminum has been a key material for automakers since the beginning.

The first sports car featuring an aluminum body was unveiled at the Berlin International Motor Show in 1899.

Two years later, the first engine with aluminum parts was developed by Carl Benz.

Following World War II, aluminum had become inexpensive enough to be considered for use in mass-produced vehicles."

So ... nothing much new here then ....

Has nothing to do with when it was first done, everything to do with how common it is now.

[Nerdherder]

Nothing new, but an appealing tease nonetheless. Go Alpine!

[Nerdherder]

PS special lightweight version In bare aluminium perhaps?

[leglessAlex]

It sounds like Geneva is going to be interesting this year with this Alpine, Huayra Roadster, Mclaren P14, Huracan Performante and the F12 M all being revealed. Can't wait!

[MarshPhantom]

Tuvra said:

mk1fan said:

Looks very Tuscan esque rear quarter.

Does it? I was thinking more RX8

Not particularly like either if it's anything like this.



Last thread about these people were moaning it's too retro.

How exactly?

[david2012]

...1989 is calling

[Onehp]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think he was in agreement about the moaners who slate the 'new' aluminium body. Next, Renault presents a new composite wheel using recycled wood fibres for the Zoe mk2, moaners will say horse carriages have had those for over thousands of years...

[MarshPhantom]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That's fair enough, but my current Mercedes has made me enjoy an autobox more than I ever thought I would and a four pot should weigh a lot less than a big old V8.

Swings and roundabout really.

[MarshPhantom]

david2012 said:

...1989 is calling

Fear not, it's going to look nothing like the Honda NSX.