Alpine and Lotus will team up on the development of a new electric sports car that will serve as the successor to the Alpine A110.
The new car is one of three planned models confirmed for Alpine, which is being reinvented by parent firm Groupe Renault as an electric-only premium brand with a focus on 'avant-garde' models.
The firm has also confirmed that it will launch a new hot hatch and a C-segment crossover.
Renault revived the Alpine brand in 2017 with the reimagined lightweight Alpine A110 two-seater. While that model has been a huge hit, the firm has yet to follow it up with a new model and the brand’s future had been in doubt.
However, new Groupe Renault boss Luca de Meo has given his backing to long-time plans to reinvent Alpine as the group’s performance arm.
New Alpine boss Laurent Rossi said that the firm would focus on developing "exclusive innovative sports cars". He added: "Alpine is a true brand with heritage and pedigree, arguably the epitome of French motoring."
New Lotus-developed Alpine A110 EV
Group Renault and Geely-owned Lotus have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together in a number of areas, including the joint development of the new sports car.
The companies will now undertake a “comprehensive feasibility study” for the potential car. It will be developed using expertise from both Lotus and Alpine, which now incorporates the old Renaultsport division.
While no details of the machine or timeline have been given, the Alpine version will likely serve as the successor to the current A110 as the brand is transformed into a fully electric line-up. Lotus is also expanding its EV line-up, and the joint development will help the two firms to offset the high costs that will likely result from developing a dedicated lightweight electric sports car platform.
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How exciting. Let's hope it works out. It makes so much sense and even has historical providence. Some of the best Lotuses have had Renault bits in them.
The challenge will be to keep the weight around a tonne. It can be done I'm sure. Can't wait.
It’s Groundhog Day!
Given that I ended up choosing between an A110 and a used Evora, this sounds like a very promising tie-up. Something in that sort of size bracket with Alpine and Lotus expertise combined might actually end up at an appropriate weight - probably inevitable that it'll be heavier than with a petrol engine, but not necessarily ruinously so.