Alpine Reveals The First Images Of Its New Production Car: The New A110

LONDON - February 28, 2017: Ahead of the Geneva International Motor Show, Alpine reveals today the first images of the new two-seater sports car it will premiere.

Its name is A110, reflecting the timeless principles of compact size, light weight and agility that made the success of the “Berlinette”.

The A110 features a full aluminium platform and upper body for optimum weight saving and agility. Key specifications of the A110 will be announced during Alpine’s press conference at the Geneva International Motor Show.

When: 12:15 (UK) 7th March

Where: Geneva International Motor Show, Hall 4

Who: Michael van der Sande, Managing Director Alpine

David Twohig, Chief Engineer Alpine

ABOUT ALPINE

"Alpine represents racing glory," and reviving the brand is a strategic opportunity to win over new customers, said Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn during last year's unveiling the Alpine Vision, a near-production concept in Monaco.

Shuttered in 1995 because of poor sales, the niche Alpine brand was best known for the A110 Berlinette coupe, which beat Porsche models in rally competitions in the 1970s.

The new Alpine is aimed at adding sporty cachet to the French manufacturer in an effort that also includes Renault’s return to Formula One racing.

Halo exercise

Renault plans to build 3,000 Alpines a year at its plant Dieppe, France. Forecaster IHS Automotive predicts the Alpine will peak at about 1,300 deliveries in 2018, less than a rounding error for a company that made 2.3 million vehicles last year. About 30,000 Alpine cars were built between 1955 and 1995.

Still, some customers have already been calling to ask for the car, said Ralph Saenger, brand manager for Renault and Dacia at the Auto Witzel dealership in Bochum, Germany. "The success of such a revival depends on a healthy mix of referencing historical design and setting new, unique standards in technology" Saenger said. "It will showcase what Renault is capable of."

Renault, which owns the budget Dacia brand but lacks an upscale complement to its mass-market offerings, has broader plans beyond the Alpine Vision concept. The company said the two-seat model will be the first of a family of cars that may include high-end hybrids and SUVs.

"We are flexible where to take the brand," Renault Chief Competitive Officer Thierry Bollore said. "Everything is on the table."

Ghosn said: "To build a brand you need more than one car, but it's one step at a time."

Renault plans to give Alpine time to prove itself, with a 10-year road map to build out the brand.