The Curvaceous Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept might become a Sexy Reality

The Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept is just that, a conceptual representation of what might be. It’s a glimpse of what could be if Renault and Caterham truly bring back the legendary Alpine name. Boy I hope so, it’s like a French super model. It’s almost too good looking. The thing is: the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept has a real chance at production.

There are very few details available regarding the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept. Thanks to Car Scoops and PistonHeads, I know Renault is looking at competing against the Porsche Cayman and the Alfa Romeo 4C by (possibly) using a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine sourced from the Renault Clio RS/ Nissan Juke – and it might develop over 200 horsepower and over 177 lbs-feet of torque – as those are about the same numbers the Clio RS puts out.

Like the Porsche and Alfa Romeo (and the old Renault Alpine racer) the engine would reside behind the driver. No word on whether the power will be mid-ship or rear-mounted. The transmission will, most likely, be a dual-clutch similar to the one in the Clio RS. Being that the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept will be about the same size as the Alfa Romeo 4C, it will probably be rear drive only.

Prices are expected to be under $80,000 – in Europe.

Now, here’s the hopeful part for people in North America. Renault and Nissan have a healthy partnership. Sharing tech and production has proven fruitful for all parties involved. Imagine have this sexy Renault flying down roads in the USA. Why not call it a Nissan 160 or Infiniti Q1?! Well, why not?

The first thing Renault and Nissan need to do is bring back the Alpine racing name with some panache. Alpine is entering the European Le Manse Series (ELMS) with the ‘Alpine No36’- a racer built by Nissan and Signatech with a 500 hp 4.5-liter Nissan V8 that’s capable of over 200 mph.

Aside from the ELMS, this purpose-built racer will compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans and debuts on the Circuit Paul Ricard,  in Le Castellet, near Marseille, France on March 26-27.

The reasoning seems to be: if the Alpine No36 racer has a positive debut, building something like the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept makes a lot more sense. So, I am now rooting for Renault for the 24 Heures du Mans!

It would be great to see Alpine return to racing. I will keep tabs on the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept and the Alpine No36 racer and bring you any information I receive. I guess I have to wish the french bonne chance!

Speaking of Nissan, check out this Nissan GT-R vs BMW M6 video!