Renault Returns to the spotlight with Alpine

Ever since we learned a few days ago that Michael Stoschek had grown tired of the Lancia Stratos and had considered bringing Alpine back to life, the truth is that the news had to be taken with caution. For years, Renault has wanted to bring Alpine back to life, and it simply hasn’t been a idea profitable enough to do it. Had they foreseen substantial profits, they would already have done it.

The fact is that there are still some at Renault who continue to think about bringing the legendary Alpine back to life, that sports car brand of yesteryear. To that end (and I don’t know whether Stoschek has anything to do with it), they say they will show a concept of the A110 at the Paris Motor Show. This concept will celebrate Alpine’s 50th anniversary, but it could also be what decides whether the brand returns or not.

Although many of us would love to see Alpine return, the truth is that it isn’t as easy a company as it seems: the project has to deliver measurable and tangible profits for Renault for that to happen. And apparently there are none yet, according to what the brand’s own head of design, Laurens van den Acker, has communicated:

Is there room in today’s market to build something that could be compared to a Porsche? For the Alpine to make financial sense, it would have to sell in North America and China.

Clearly there is no room for something that could be compared to a Porsche in the current economic climate. Although the Alpine wouldn’t be for “now”. But if the project went ahead, we are talking about at least four years into the future, so let’s hope the times are more favourable for the Alpine.

Via | Left Lane News