Renault Alpine rendered

French car giant Renault is close to revealing its all-new mid-engined performance car, the Alpine, simultaneously reviving the revered sports car brand in the process.

Although there's been some issues along the way – namely dropping UK development partner Caterham last year – the new model will enter production in France from late 2016 with sales to begin in early 2017.

As envisaged in this computer rendering from spy photo specialist Automedia, the two-seat sports car is expected to herald a contemporary design ethos, but will include a few touches that link it to past models, such as the inboard fog lights from the vintage A110, circa 1961.

Although this rendering borrows a few design cues from the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept the production car is expected to be more conservative, and it will also eschew luxury and big-ticket power in search of low weight and a 'pure' driving experience.

Alpine CEO, Bernard Ollivier, previously told motoring.com.au "It will not be a car that will go to 300km/h, it's about the pleasure you take from the short bends."

The car will not be a direct rival to Porsche, but the company expects the car will appeal to owners of the famous 911.

"Porsche is not light, it's about high speed. It was very close [to Alpine] 40 or 50 years ago, [but] now it is quite luxurious. Alpine's DNA is not about luxury. It's about 'premium sport'.

"A lot of our future customers will come, probably, from Porsche. Not because our car is a competitor with Porsche, but because Porsche is too strong with [its] pricing," he said.

So as the Toyota 86 did for Japanese sports cars in offering a low cost option, the Renault Alpine could do for European sports cars.

Renault is keeping the Alpine's vital statistics top secret for now, although there has been talk of an MX-5-like 1000kg kerb weight. The rear-drive sporty could be propelled by the Clio's 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine – albeit with more than 150kW.

It's also possible the new Alpine will borrow some performance parts from alliance partner Nissan, and potentially NISMO.

It's not clear whether the new Alpine will be previewed this year, but with the sports car maker celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and a number of shindigs planned – including for the Le Mans 24 Hour (June) in France, the Goodwood Festival of Speed (July) in England and the Frankfurt motor show (September) in Germany – it's almost certain we'll get an appetiser before 2016.