Caterham and Renault to revive Alpine sports car

Caterham and Renault announced yesterday that they will pair up to revive the Alpine sports car. Together both companies formed a 50:50 joint venture company called Societe des Automobiles Alpine Caterham (SAAC) and will be led by CEO, Bernand Ollivier (Renault man since 1977). 

In the collaboration, Renault will contribute is Dieppe plus 300 workforce for the project while Caterham will provide the engineering expertise as well as the aforementioned 50% capital. The first output is expected in 2015 at the earliest and rumoured to be inspired the fame Alpine 110 from 1960's.

Renault's Dieppe factory is the specialised facility, experienced in manufacturing Renault's special product. It used to make RS Clio, RS Twingo, RS Megane, Megane soft-top as well manufactured the composite-bodied Espace MPV. 

The detail of the product is scarce, however with the hint of 110 model, both Caterham and Alpine will have their own distinctive model. This makes perfect sense as the low volume exclusive for one brand solely won't make the cut in terms of techno-economics these days. It is rumoured that Alpine version would be the closed-coupe, while the Caterham will the roadster, close to its traditional product line-up.

The configuration of the car is not yet revealed despite the on-going engineering background work currently being done. The powertrain unit could be the new Renaultsport direct-injection 1.6L turbo unit pumping 200bhp or more likely the 2.0L unit from Megane Cup kicking healthy 265bhp. However, the new joint company has recruited some big names to make the project kicks, including Mike Gascoyne F1 designer and Tony Shute, the Lotus Elise main man.

The Malaysian-owner of Caterham, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said " I have not felt as excited about a new venture since I launched AirAsia in 2001 and I want to thank Carlos Ghosn and Carlos Tavares and everyone in our new Renault family for having the belief in Caterham Group to create this partnership".

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes also hinted that Caterham core model, the Seven won't be left out. Even the new sports car will be affordable with around GBP35k price-tag. "In F1 only Ferrari and McLaren produce road cars and they are exceedingly expensive. The affordability of our car will be key. If we get the quality and price it will sell, recession or not recession".

The head of the Caterham is ambitious too, outlining his vision of the future product line-up." For the Asian market, I would very much like to get into the crossover market and maybe produce a city car". Well, perhaps Caterham could kick it well, but Proton ultimately to get their Proton "Sepang" (Elise-based, later rebadged as a Lotus Europa) and Proton MSX (aluminium crossover with supercharged V6 way BMW X6 exists).

For the uninformed, Caterham is the British sports car company specialising in producing low-volume lightweight sports car. Tony Fernandes took control in 2011 and immediately renamed his F1 team (then Lotus Racing) in the middle of the melee of the embarrassing naming dispute that year.

4th generation Renault Clio revealed - first detail & photo galleries

The fourth generation Renault Clio is set to battle it out with the likes of Ford Fiesta and Fiat Punto with a stylish new body, upmarket interior ambiance and a set of economical new engine. This generation of Renault Clio is designed under the supervision of Laurens van den Acker, Renault new design chief, the new Clio is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor. In terms of chassis architecture, Clio Mk4 retains the McPhersons struts/Torsion Beam setup of the current model.

However, it is the exterior styling that takes the centre stage this time around. The front end is dominated by new corporate face with integrated headlamps and grille with prominent Renault badge takes the central attention. The headlamps is particular is not only intricate in its housing and internal graphics, but it also has a darkened lower surrounding that runs all the way right from the grille. The long and simple lower intake in adorned with circular fog lamps with chromed surround that flanks the horizontal slats.

The side profile is far from being slab sided prominent belt line that launches into the powerful rear haunches, the crisp detailing in the lower sills with contrasting insert and most importantly the rear door has been "eliminated" with the inclusion of Alfa-like hidden door outside handle.

The rear end meanwhile is no less interesting. Firstly the rear glass is well blended with the curvy flaring of rear haunch and the tailgate panel features a crisp protruding fascia that stands proud from being homogenous with the rest of the rear end panel. Chrome strip complete the rear end garnishing. Consistent with the theme set at the front end, the rear combi is installed within the darkened insert and the lower valence has the same outline as the front bumper lower intake.

Inside the cabin,the dashboard adopts a more upmarket design than before, with prominent centre console wrapped in piano black material. Together with the steering wheel, meter binnacle and door trim, these items features a rich interplay of plastic texturing, coloured insert and chromed lining. 7' touch screen is also part of the package from mid-range model onwards. Other than that, Renault is also offering interior personalisation program with several trim color selection.

In the powertrain department, the engine line-up for Clio Mk4 include the 900cc 3-cylinder turbocharged Energy Tce engine kicking out 89bhp and 135Nm, 1.5L turbodiesel Energy dCi punching out 89hp and 220Nm. The claimed fuel consumption figure for both are 4.3L/100km and 3.2L/100km respectively, mega economical MMN would say! A turbocharged 1.2L gasoline engine also is available, and hooked to a 6spd dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Some gallery of the Renault Clio Mk4 can be found after the jump.

Blast from the past - Renault Initiale

Renault Initiale Concept was introduced back in September 1995. At that time, Renault was very well-known for its concept car that adopted controversial but distinctive styling. The avant-garde looking Initiale was more than just a styling exercise. It portrayed Renault quest in entering executive saloon market. Also, it set Renault design language for years to come, especially with the similarly avant-garde looking car such as Renault Avantime and Renault Vel Satis. These two cars similar kind of rear end treatment, with wacky upright rear screen wrapped by big hatchback. To certaint extent, the second generation Laguna did resemble the Initiale rear styling, especially at the C-pillar area and its intersection with the hatch.

Renault Initiale Concept was powered by a detuned Formula 1 engine, in this case it was RS6 3.5l V10 modified by RenaultSport division. In this application, the F1 engine pumped out 392bhp@8000rpm and 360Nm@6200rpm. Channeling the drive via 6 speed sequential gearbox to all wheels, the engine catapult the big saloon to 305 km/h. Very detuned indeed.

To emphasize further its intention in moving upmarket, Renault has assigned Louis Vuitton to design a custom luggage set for the Initiale. As can be seen above, the luggage matched the car even in its color scheme, and typical to the customized luggage, the storage capability was maximized due to deletion of dead space. Read more after the jump.

Renault Pulse debut in India

India market is one the most promising playground for global automotive player apart from explosive China market. In a testament to this, Renault has forged their entry is the modern supermini with the launch of the Pulse model. Essentially a rebadged Nissan March (or Micra depending on market), Renault has reworked the front end completely with new sharper headlamp and more aggressive grille arrangement. The version below is the sportier version with much more angular chin thanks to very pronounced skirting.

Typical of a rebadged activity, the front end redesign is fairly simple as retooling for the hood, fender and front fascia are cheaper. The rear however is different story. To modify the rear end, the costly side structure needs a redesigned too. Side structure is the single largest stamped piece for most cars (unlike Dacia Logan though which uses two piece side panel), as other bigger panels such as floor panels are stamped separately between front and rear. Due to this, the rear aesthetic is pure Nissan, except the bumper.

The interior is also wholesomely carried over from the donor Micra/March with its circular design theme. Apart from the Renault emblem, the rest of the interior including the color choice is directly lifted from the Nissan stablemate.

Engine choice mirror those on Nissan as well, with 1.2l 3-cylinder gasoline and 1.5l turbo-diesel lump. The Renault Pulse will be build at Renault-Nissan Chennai plant is expected to carry slightly more premium pricing over Nissan Micra.

Another set of photos after the jump.