Alpine Performance Brand: A Look at the Past and Future

Renault’s Alpine performance brand has been making waves in the automotive industry since its resurrection six years ago. However, drivers in North America have yet to experience the thrill of driving an Alpine car. That might change soon, as the brand is rumored to be heading to the U.S. market. But there’s a catch – Alpine is going electric from 2026, which means the next A110 and the new hot hatch, sports sedan, and crossover will all feature electric power.

The 1991-95 Alpine A610 was an update of the earlier Alpine (Renault in the UK) GTA. The main visual change was a switch from fixed to pop-up headlights, just as many sports cars were thinking about moving in the other direction. Renault claimed that 80 percent of the car was new, and it incorporated North American modifications that were made to the GTA to pass U.S. crash tests.

Renault had been planning to sell the GTA in North America from 1987, so it spent a lot of money re-engineering the coupe to meet U.S. regulations. However, Renault’s sports car never received its green card, and the company sold its stake in AMC to Chrysler in 1987. The North American modifications were incorporated into the GTA’s successor, the A610, which made for a stiffer chassis that improved handling.

The A610 had an extra half-liter of capacity for the previously 2.5-liter turbocharged V6, which now made 247 hp (250 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque and dropped the zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time below 6 seconds. Though reviewers said the A610 was a much better car than the GTA in almost every way, sales remained slow.

The very early 1991 car pictured here didn’t stay in Europe but was sold new in Japan, where it’s racked up just 21,000 km (13,000 miles) in 32 years. The left-hand drive A610 has had so little use that the Michelin tires are in desperate need of replacement, but it also means the leather looks just about perfect. It’s currently up for grabs on the Bring-a-Trailer auction site.

Alpine’s Future

Alpine is going EV-only from 2026, which means the next A110 and the new hot hatch, sports sedan, and crossover will all feature electric power. This move is part of Renault’s plan to transition to electric vehicles. The brand is expected to launch two electric SUVs in the U.S. market soon.

Alpine’s electric vehicles are expected to feature advanced battery technology and offer a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge. The brand is also expected to focus on performance, with electric motors that can deliver instant torque and acceleration.

Alpine’s electric vehicles are likely to feature sleek designs that are both aerodynamic and stylish. The brand has a history of creating cars that are both beautiful and functional, and its electric vehicles are expected to continue that tradition.

Alpine’s electric vehicles are also expected to feature advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that can help drivers stay safe on the road. These systems can include features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Conclusion

Alpine is a brand with a rich history and an exciting future. Its past models like the A610 have been praised for their handling and performance, while its future electric vehicles are expected to offer advanced technology and impressive performance. With the brand rumored to be heading to the U.S. market soon, American drivers may finally get to experience the thrill of driving an Alpine car.