QUOTE
Tuesday 8th November
RENAULT TO REVIVE SPORTY ALPINE
French carmaker plans new F1-inspired RWD coupé
Renault is to make more of its F1 technology link and revive the Alpine name. It will launch a new high-performance sports coupé within the next two years, according to a story in Autocar.
Front-engined with rear-wheel drive, it'll be the first Renault with this layout since the 1952 Frégate, and the first Alpine since 1995's A610 V6 Turbo.
( ED: BOOO, For Alpine it shoudl be rear )
The underpinnings come from Nissan, thanks to the technology transfer arrangement between the two companies.
The report suggests that Renault is still considering whether to base the car on Nissan's 350Z or use a bigger chassis that's still under development. The crucial issue here is price: the smaller car would sell for around £25-30k, while larger one would go for around £40,000 -- where the air is thinner and the sales fewer.
The aim is to fill a gap in Renault's portfolio. Since the demise of the Clio V6, the company has no overtly sporty model, and nothing on the road that demonstrates its F1 investment and expertise. Autocar also reports that Renault boss Carlos Ghosn is impressed by the way that the 350Z has turned Nissan's image around -- in part at least -- and aims to do the same.
RENAULT TO REVIVE SPORTY ALPINE
French carmaker plans new F1-inspired RWD coupé
Renault is to make more of its F1 technology link and revive the Alpine name. It will launch a new high-performance sports coupé within the next two years, according to a story in Autocar.
Front-engined with rear-wheel drive, it'll be the first Renault with this layout since the 1952 Frégate, and the first Alpine since 1995's A610 V6 Turbo.
( ED: BOOO, For Alpine it shoudl be rear )
The underpinnings come from Nissan, thanks to the technology transfer arrangement between the two companies.
The report suggests that Renault is still considering whether to base the car on Nissan's 350Z or use a bigger chassis that's still under development. The crucial issue here is price: the smaller car would sell for around £25-30k, while larger one would go for around £40,000 -- where the air is thinner and the sales fewer.
The aim is to fill a gap in Renault's portfolio. Since the demise of the Clio V6, the company has no overtly sporty model, and nothing on the road that demonstrates its F1 investment and expertise. Autocar also reports that Renault boss Carlos Ghosn is impressed by the way that the 350Z has turned Nissan's image around -- in part at least -- and aims to do the same.
Read the article.