In the immortal words of ex-fighter pilot and Boeing 707 rescuer Ted Striker, “What a pisser.”
The resurrected Alpine A110, which never seemed like it had much of a chance of making it stateside, is officially barred from American driveways. Renault’s retro, mid-engined performance stimulated saliva glands when it debuted last year as a near-match concept car, leading some to dream that a French alternative to Porsche’s Cayman could become a U.S. reality.
The late Charles de Gaulle once said that France has no friends, only interests. Well, France isn’t interested in making this American dream come true.
“At the moment we are not planning on selling the A110 in the U.S.,” Alpine CEO Bernard Ollivier told Left Lane News at the Geneva Motor Show this week.
Ollivier’s comment shouldn’t surprise anyone, as Renault hasn’t had an automotive presence in the U.S. since its 1980s dalliance with AMC. Even before this week, there had been exactly zero hints of a stateside foray. Unless, of course, the automaker’s silence hid its true intentions.
“Re-launching the brand is a big project,” the CEO said. “Right now we’re focusing on markets like Europe and Japan.”
The Alpine brand took a dirt nap in 1995, and subsequent attempts to bring the storied division back from the dead fell flat. It was parent company Renault’s decision to return the brand to prominence by recreating its most famous model, the former rally champion A110.
Weighing just over 2,400 pounds, the nearly all-aluminum A110’s sports a turbocharged 1.8-liter inline-four that’s good for 250 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 62 mph — not that you’re likely to ever experience such a dash — clocks in at 4.5 seconds.
Because of Ollivier’s loaded wording — “At the moment…” — faint hope probably still burns in many hearts.
[Image: Renault]
That car isn’t gorgeous.
Yes it is. It’s also mid-engined, 2400lb and has 250hp. Quite drool-worthy.
To my eyes its tettering on gorgeous… but it does smack of an Audi TT slash Cayman etc.
I also think the world isnt missing out on anything. We dont hold the original A110 in high regard so we dont clamour for a replacement.
The Alpine Cayman TT Targa…but I can’t fault them for attempting to faithfully yet sensibly replicate the allure of the original A110…which is wonderful looking machine.
No manual anyway.
Criminal.
Maybe we will get it in a few years as a Buick.
@RHD
Ahh No. Alpine is Alpine.
Neat car and all, but I can’t imagine it selling in better number than Alfa Romeo 4C here (~500/yr).
“Over Macho Grande?”
“I’ll never be over Macho Grande.”
Oveur and out…
If they made an AWD crossover,maybe it’d sell here.The profit potential of a mid engine enthusiast car here is somewhere between ‘lol’ and not a chance in hell.
France had no friends only interests? Actually it was Lord Palmerston who said that in 1848: “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual” But “Why let facts get in the way of good quote” – Donald J Trump 2017
“Palmerston may have said something similar first, but according to wikiquote those were de Gaulle’s exact words in a conversation with Churchill, in English, no less.”
-Abraham Lincoln
Someone please name the last French sports car sold in the United States that could be considered a sales success.
Bugatti Veyron
It’d be awesome if this came over as a Nissan.
I’d rock this car if it came to the US. I think it looks awesome and the specs seem to be equally impressive.
This is interesting. Are we looking at the next Z car here?
Not likely at a price just above the current 718 Boxster.
History has known stranger transfigurations:
Bentley -> VW Phaeton
I think Nissan has gained a lot from its association with Renault in the last 15 years. Somehow Nissan cars based on shared Renault platform feel more European, more engaging. That gives them some competitive benefit against fellow Japanese Toyota.
I’m still looking for a nice photo of this car. That front clip is hideous – like a Juke front end on a TT.
Why go through all the trouble of a relaunch when it is still not sure if there’s gonna be a trade war between the U.S. and the EU? On the other hand, this would make for a great ad campaign: “No Alpine fun allowed because your President thinks it should not have to meet new CAFE standards”.
Where is the logic? Please explain what does CAFE have to do with a French small engined sports car?
Apparently, he thinks deregulation limits choices. Orwell probably didn’t know that ‘1984’ was a how-to book when he wrote it.
Honestly, Todd, if you’re going to ruin ANOTHER of our Sundays going alt-spaz on me I’ll just spend the next one with Darnell!
pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2329885697/image.jpg
Yeah, you *better* worry.
If it wasn’t for the chicken tax and stringent EPA/CARB/FMVSS regulations, it’d only be a matter of buying one from an importer, albeit at a slight markup.
While mechanically impressive, the Alpines have always seemed a bit odd looking to me.
We won’t have it here in Ireland either. Very small volumes… but at least we can privately import these from the UK.
To be honest they have already 2500 orders in, and I’m not sure about the factory output, but that should keep them busy for a while before the need to hunt for other markets.
The car is of course EU compliant but not even available in half of EU countries where Renault has a network and could sell straight away. So me think these countries first where they don’t need to adapt the car and maybe elsewhere later.
What other 2400lbs 250hp turboed car doesent sell, the alfa 4c.
The lotsu elise at 2000lbs is still the one to beat in this lightweight pure driver car niche, and while not as refined as a 4c or maybe renault, the real buyer for these machines has performance criteria above refinement.
Is that 2400lbs dry? so maybe this is really a 2600+lbs car with fluids stereo and ac.
What it needs is 350Hp like mercdes has no problem getting from its turboed 4, and a maybe also a stick option for those of us who like the driving interactive experience, as in whoever may actualy buy a small lightweight car like this. Then they would be selling something you simply cant get elsewhere.
Otherwise its a oool rwd hot hatch for 60K.