RE: Alpine A110: Driven
Discussion
VXstuey said:
Has anyone else heard about this 14th May deadline from their nominated dealer? I‘ve heard absolutely nothing from Solihull... Is this just in relation to the PE as I missed out on that when I made my reservation? Surely the Pure and Legende specs can’t be justified as ‘on sale’ in the UK seen as you can still only make a generic reservation with no facility to individually tailor a spec (I know the options are limited but still...). I read the 6 months as beginning from the point at which your nominated dealer communicated directly that they were accepting orders for customer specified cars (excl . PE)...
This "deadline" , such as it is, is for the PE I'm pretty sure. I'm not sure if anyone has been "officially" informed - I only heard about as a result of phoning my dealer. My dealer's ordering system isn't even up and running yet. The lack of communication from Alpine and their dealers has been utterly ridiculous. It's not clear what (if any) legal validity this deadline has, and who (dealers, Alpine UK or Alpine corporate) are trying to impose it. If the car didn't seem so outstanding you'd walk away. I expect some will.
bcr5784 said:
Did you try it out? And if so what did you think?
Static display only, so just a good look around it, sit in etc. Compared to the LHD ones I've sat in, my only real thought was the accelerator is slightly more cramped being closer to the side of the footwell, but no problem with it whatsoever. No big offset or anything. Also - I didn't expect the storage box that is optional on the Pure and Legende to be a factory fit, but it's screwed into the frame so turns out it is! Sport exhaust is pretty much a "you'd be crazy not to fit it" type of option - it does sound good to me though.Great to meet the team there, keen to get going properly. Also good to chat to the Alpine representative. Expecting first cars late June or July, 2 showroom plus 1 demo. They were converting some PE reservations into orders. The car was then due to head to St Alban's and Blenheim for the rest of the weekend I think.
apex_mb said:
Great to meet the team there, keen to get going properly. Also good to chat to the Alpine representative. Expecting first cars late June or July, 2 showroom plus 1 demo. They were converting some PE reservations into orders. The car was then due to head to St Alban's and Blenheim for the rest of the weekend I think.
Thanks for that. Any mention of the 14th of May deadline from them?bcr5784 said:
Thanks for that. Any mention of the 14th of May deadline from them?
No mention of any deadline, but then I well and truly missed the PE reservations so suspect I'm a long way down the list. I did get the feeling that the dealer is trying to firm up the PE orders now though, so Are expecting some to not commit. They definitely couldn't give an indication of when I'd be likely to get one, other than if they are able to increase production into next year it could be slightly quicker than I'm expecting...Trikster said:
Well spoken with the dealer, cars are arriving in June!
They have been asked by Alpine for 50% of their orders confirmed by May 14th to trigger the production run, and that he's had a number of customers decline confirming as they haven't been able to drive the car...
Interesting. Did they give any clues a out what happens to the reservations if declining to confirm now? You'd assume the number of PEs heading to the UK would be fairly fixed (planned production run of so many RHD PEs) so they'd either release the reservation or hold the build back due to the 6 month thing mentioned in the terms of reservation?They have been asked by Alpine for 50% of their orders confirmed by May 14th to trigger the production run, and that he's had a number of customers decline confirming as they haven't been able to drive the car...
apex_mb said:
Interesting. Did they give any clues a out what happens to the reservations if declining to confirm now? You'd assume the number of PEs heading to the UK would be fairly fixed (planned production run of so many RHD PEs) so they'd either release the reservation or hold the build back due to the 6 month thing mentioned in the terms of reservation?
Now it's starting to make sense.I got a call as well this week with some update but none of it sounded concrete to me but I suspect the dealers are under pressure to firm up orders to get production going. The goal is to have all PEs delivered by the end of summer and there will be cars available to test later this month but again no concrete details.
If you decline to take up your slot then they will look to pass it on to someone on a "waiting" list.
There was also mention of activity being stepped up on the app which isn't exactly what I wanted to hear to be honest.
Oh. The only clear message I got was there is no need for an extra deposit to firm up the order.
If you decline to take up your slot then they will look to pass it on to someone on a "waiting" list.
There was also mention of activity being stepped up on the app which isn't exactly what I wanted to hear to be honest.
Oh. The only clear message I got was there is no need for an extra deposit to firm up the order.
Edited by Prestonese on Saturday 5th May 14:40
Prestonese said:
I
If you decline to take up your slot then they will look to pass it on to someone on a "waiting" list.
That's fair enough - but the question remains - how long have we got before we are deemed to have declined to take up our slots. If we can have a drive first I'm personally probably happy to make a decision. Others may not for a variety of reasons - and Alpine may be on dodgy ground trying to enforce an early deadline. When does this 6 month period start and end?If you decline to take up your slot then they will look to pass it on to someone on a "waiting" list.
Edited by Prestonese on Saturday 5th May 14:40
apex_mb said:
One other thing I did ask is when the press embargo is released for the next round of UK tests - believe it could be around mid May too. Whether that helps with order confirmations is to be determined I guess!
If I was a cynic (but of course I'm not) I might read something into that. To date all the press reports have been based on "fun" drives - and the car does seem to be "fun". But, course, the other half of its brief is to be a sensible everyday car - and to assess that you need a longer, unconstrained, test.....I’m concerned that no rhd tests have been undertaken. I’m going to take a look at my reservation and see who I need to speak to in order to get some information.
Like many others I still haven’t received any info on the need to “confirm” by mid May. I understand the UK PE allocation is 100-150 cars so it shouldn’t be difficult to make some effort to contact us.
In the words of Han Solo, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”
Have the dealers been so committed that they’ve built the showrooms? No
Have there been any RHD tests? No
Have any of us had a test drive? No
Has there been complete radio silence since Alpine took my deposit? Yes
Problem is I still want my PE so why are Alpine f
king this up and making it so difficult for it to be a good experience. They are trying to revive a brand, relying on the historic goodwill of Alpine but are really making me think twice.
I’ve already paid a deposit so what more do they need?
Like many others I still haven’t received any info on the need to “confirm” by mid May. I understand the UK PE allocation is 100-150 cars so it shouldn’t be difficult to make some effort to contact us.
In the words of Han Solo, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”
Have the dealers been so committed that they’ve built the showrooms? No
Have there been any RHD tests? No
Have any of us had a test drive? No
Has there been complete radio silence since Alpine took my deposit? Yes
Problem is I still want my PE so why are Alpine f
king this up and making it so difficult for it to be a good experience. They are trying to revive a brand, relying on the historic goodwill of Alpine but are really making me think twice.I’ve already paid a deposit so what more do they need?
Edited by Miserablegit on Saturday 5th May 23:19
I’m concerned that no rhd tests have been undertaken. I’m going to take a look at my reservation and see who I need to speak to in order to get some information.
Like many others I still haven’t received any info on the need to “confirm” by mid May. I understand the UK PE allocation is 100-150 cars so it shouldn’t be difficult to make some effort to contact us.
In the words of Han Solo, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”
Have the dealers been so committed that they’ve built the showrooms? No
Have there been any RHD tests? No
Have any of us had a test drive? No
Has there been complete radio silence since Alpine took my deposit? Yes
Problem is I still want my PE so why are Alpine fking this up and making it so difficult for it to be a good experience. They are trying to revive a brand, relying on the historic goodwill of Alpine but are really making me think twice.
I’ve already paid a deposit so what more do they need?
Like many others I still haven’t received any info on the need to “confirm” by mid May. I understand the UK PE allocation is 100-150 cars so it shouldn’t be difficult to make some effort to contact us.
In the words of Han Solo, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”
Have the dealers been so committed that they’ve built the showrooms? No
Have there been any RHD tests? No
Have any of us had a test drive? No
Has there been complete radio silence since Alpine took my deposit? Yes
Problem is I still want my PE so why are Alpine f
king this up and making it so difficult for it to be a good experience. They are trying to revive a brand, relying on the historic goodwill of Alpine but are really making me think twice.I’ve already paid a deposit so what more do they need?
Edited by Miserablegit on Saturday 5th May 23:24
In fairness, I got the feeling at Manchester that they can't wait to get going and are frustrated by any delays too. I suspect some of this is down to the top gear fire, and some is about build speed. The showroom is in progress, the showroom and demo cars are on their way, and they are starting to engage more. For those with PE reservations I can only imagine its a bit too little too late, and your patience is being properly tested. But I do reckon the RHD tests will prove to be positive too. The journalist reaction to date has been unanimously good, and I see no reason why the switch to RHD would change that. Of course, you never know with a Cayman and Elise/Evora in a group test. I'm feeling confident about the quality of the drive, I'd understand if others weren't feeling the same.
Don’t know how I posted that three times. Apologies.
My issue re dealerships is that the top gear fire delayed the release of the vehicles. The build out of the dealerships should not have been delayed by that. If the dealers have not had the confidence to build the dealerships pre-launch then it is yet another concern in this journey. It does then beg the question as to what the point has been to have “alpine” dealerships when they have not been able to add anything to the experience. I would have much rather dealt with a local Renault dealership to hand the keys over and service the engine given it is used in the new Megane.
The PE cars should have been delivered by now but none of the dealerships would have been ready in time. It is all very concerning.
I’m only saying this in an Internet forum as there appears no way of contacting Alpine....
My issue re dealerships is that the top gear fire delayed the release of the vehicles. The build out of the dealerships should not have been delayed by that. If the dealers have not had the confidence to build the dealerships pre-launch then it is yet another concern in this journey. It does then beg the question as to what the point has been to have “alpine” dealerships when they have not been able to add anything to the experience. I would have much rather dealt with a local Renault dealership to hand the keys over and service the engine given it is used in the new Megane.
The PE cars should have been delivered by now but none of the dealerships would have been ready in time. It is all very concerning.
I’m only saying this in an Internet forum as there appears no way of contacting Alpine....
DaveGB said:
Had a call a few days ago from my dealer to confirm order, which I’ve done, which means I get one of the first batch of 35 cars ...5 per dealer, delivery date end of July. Going to see the static car Thursday and been told demo cars arrive June,
Congrats. I reckon you're in for a whole lot of fun, and looking forward to hearing how you get on. What colour PE are you going for?apex_mb said:
DaveGB said:
Had a call a few days ago from my dealer to confirm order, which I’ve done, which means I get one of the first batch of 35 cars ...5 per dealer, delivery date end of July. Going to see the static car Thursday and been told demo cars arrive June,
Congrats. I reckon you're in for a whole lot of fun, and looking forward to hearing how you get on. What colour PE are you going for?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff