Alpine has teased a stunning new sports car concept that it says will preview a fresh design language for all future road and race cars from Renault’s performance brand, which will go all-electric from mid-decade.
The extravagant Alpine Alpenglow concept will make its world public premiere at the Paris motor show starting next Monday (October 17), but will make its online debut tomorrow morning in Europe – 5:00am AEST Friday for Aussies.
As you can see from the shadowy teaser image, the “ground-breaking” Alpenglow will be a spectacularly low-slung supercar with a semi-open-wheel design that could well preview the electric sports car Alpine is co-developing with Lotus on a dedicated modular platform.
“Alpenglow embodies the renewal of the Alpine brand in terms of design and technology for its racing and road models, which will form the inspiration of all future Alpine cars,” said the French car-maker overnight.
Judging by its spectacular design, broad footprint and extreme aerodynamics, the Alpenglow appears to be a track-only super-coupe that features a two-seat cabin, prominent rear wing and a full-width LED strip bearing its name.
“Alpenglow is more than a concept car. It is a veritable expression of the brand, a cornerstone of its ambitions and strategic plan.”
Alpine says Alpenglow refers to a luminous phenomenon in which a horizontal streak of red-tinged light appears on the mountains before sunrise and after sunset.
“It clearly expresses this concept car’s mission to magnify the moment when the revolutionary forms and technologies of tomorrow are to be revealed, with the brand delivering a revival vision. It's a name that invites you to sit back and enjoy the view,” espoused Alpine.
No Alpine vehicles are currently available in Australia following the local axing of the French brand’s inaugural model, the mid-engined rear-wheel drive A110 coupe powered by the 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine from the soon-to-be-discontinued Renault Megane RS hot hatch, only the $62,300 Trophy version of which remains on sale here.
Like some other small French cars, the Megane is being reborn as a battery-powered SUV to be known as the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.
Apart from a sports car, Alpine has promised two other EVs including the GT-X Over SUV and a hot hatch version of the born-again Renault 5, potentially followed by RS versions of other upcoming Renault EVs including the Renault 4 electric SUV.