Friday 20th January 2017

New Renault Alpine spy shots

Not an official preview this time, here's a look at the actual car!

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Lightweight, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports cars should always go down well on PistonHeads, which is why there's a fair amount of excitement around the new Alpine. That and the Clio R.S.16 was cancelled to build it, so it had better be good...

Eagerly anticipated, you might say

Here it's been caught winter testing ahead of launch, showing off a few key details. Beneath the camo both front and rear lights look production ready, with the exhaust and diffuser also appearing ready for the showroom too. It even has numberplate recesses and indicators, so it would be surprising to see much change between now and the launch.

See also the vents at the B-pillar for cooling, plus some very small slits ahead of the front wheels that will probably aid aero performance. The brakes look reassuringly large too, sat behind what could almost be Speedline Turinis (or Clio 172 Cup wheels, as you may remember them).

There's something not quite right though. Perhaps it's the camo or maybe it's the environment, but the Alpine's profile seems a little odd. We're hardly key arbiters of automotive taste at PH, yet here the Alpine doesn't appear as compact or visually exciting as something like a 4C, Elise or even a Cayman. However, if it's a choice between a 4C style sports car (with great looks and a duff drive) or an Alpine alternative that doesn't look amazing but drives fantastically we'll certainly take the latter. More soon!

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[Maldini35]

Love the idea of this car but I'm struggling to get excited over the styling.
An old Celica from the front, Audi A5 from the side and rear.
Looks to be sitting a bit high too.
Hopefully the final car minus camo and on the proper wheels will look better.
Regardless of what I think of the styling it's good to have them back.

[Krikkit]

I won't make final judgement until seeing one without camo and rubbish, but I really like it so far.

[JohnoVR6]

I think it looks bloody awesome personally, even in cold weather test spec, and a very good modern interpretation of the A110.

[deltashad]

I'm looking forward to this.
Just a bit miffed by the airflow cooling mechanics.
The French did this with the Matra Murena. Hope it doesn't suffer from over heating.

[blueg33]

Front is great like the A110 as is the rear window. I al less convinced about the rear lights.

Interior shots I have seem look very good ideed

[Pistom]

Hm, don't remember overheating issues with Murenas but agree that styling is a bit lacklustre.

As a homage to the A110 it seems weak and also fails as a successor to the A610.

Hope it is better in the flesh.

[em177]

Do we have any idea what price bracket this is going to be in?

[loose cannon]

I think it looks great the nail in the coffin for me is I couldn't possibly buy a sports car to enjoy without a proper gearbox to play with, so unfortunately it won't be a purchase for me new or used.

[loose cannon]

em177 said:

Do we have any idea what price bracket this is going to be in?

£50k

[Fetchez la vache]

That side view makes if far longer / larger than I was expecting tbh...

[milfordkong]

I wish this was going to be a £30k car...

[Wills2]

loose cannon said:

em177 said:

Do we have any idea what price bracket this is going to be in?

£50k

Christ not cheap then.

[blueg33]

Price is about right for the performance compared to Alfa 4c, Cayman and Elise

[Wills2]

blueg33 said:

Price is about right for the performance compared to Alfa 4c, Cayman and Elise

a 300hp 718 start at 40k, if this car starts at 50k then to me that's not cheap.

[loose cannon]

Wills2 said:

Christ not cheap then.

Most will be leased no dought that's why people can afford such expensive cars

[Quickmoose]

Wills2 said:

blueg33 said:

Price is about right for the performance compared to Alfa 4c, Cayman and Elise

a 300hp 718 start at 40k, if this car starts at 50k then to me that's not cheap.

starts yes, but where does it finish?
The 4C and I suspect this will have a much narrower product/options range...and that being the case, lands themselves somewhere in the middle/lower end of 718 costs..

I'm still on the fence styling wise, some of the concepts and ideas were really beautiful, productionised/legislationialised it's in danger of being a smidge bland, hope I'm wrong

[BigDave3243]

I really hate the styling. Those additional lights on the front look stupid. Hopefully it looks better in showroom spec. But not encouraged by the styling, as I'd by a sports car on the strength of it's styling on equal merits to how it drives.

[Onehp]

Quickmoose said:

starts yes, but where does it finish?

Just for fun, I had a go in the configurator with the £ 39,878.00 718 Cayman. I ended up with.... (not including winter wheels or any actual accesoiries): £ 86,215.00 (a 116% increase in price )

Edited by Onehp on Friday 20th January 13:36

[CABC]

page 1 and we're already on price/porsche/"if it were £x then..."
if you want a hot hatch buy one.
if you want a purpose built sports car be prepared to pay for it or save up. It's not hard to understand. The margins on a hatch are still healthy, building something more focused is difficult and costly.
Thank god they're trying. I hope it delivers more than the 4C did.

[Onehp]

CABC said:

page 1 and we're already on price/porsche/"if it were £x then..."
if you want a hot hatch buy one.
if you want a purpose built sports car be prepared to pay for it or save up. It's not hard to understand. The margins on a hatch are still healthy, building something more focused is difficult and costly.
Thank god they're trying. I hope it delivers more than the 4C did.

Amen to that. (still would want a manual though)