Alpine teases aluminium body

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

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]