Renault goes alone with its Alpine sports car dream

Renault and Caterham Group have mutually agreed to allow Renault to increase its equity stake in Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham to 100pc. It was in November 2012 that the Caterham Group took a 50pc stake in the Automobiles Alpine Renault company. This company was then held 100 PC by Renault SAS. This partnership led to the formation of the Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham the following year. Both partners had a 50pc equity stake each in the company.

Now, following the acquisition of the interest held by the Caterham Group in Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham, Renault will now continue to develop its own Alpine sports car to be launched in 2016, as initially planned. The Caterham Group will continue with its plans to make its own sports car.

Thus, this acquisition brings to an end to the partnership signed in November 2012 by Renault and Caterham Group to develop and manufacture sports cars through Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham. According to a press release by Renault, other forms of cooperation could still be envisaged between the two companies in line with each one strategic policy direction.

Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham will now change its name to Société des Automobiles Alpine.

Meanwhile, according to another press release from Renault,  Alpine is restating its commitment to launching the “Berlinette of the 21st century” in 2016. Since 2014 Alpine is participating in ELMS (European Le Mans Series) and the Le Mans 24-hour event.

The Dieppe plant in Normandy, France, is where all the Alpine action is taking place. Alpine is a sporting and industrial adventure that was founded by Jean Rédélé in 1955. Renault had announced plans to relaunch the Alpine brand and develop a new sports vehicle - the Berlinette of the 21st century - to be launched in 2016. A number of buyers immediately contacted the firm to reserve a car… with no information other than the planned relaunch!

Since 2013, the Alpine brand has been taking part in a number of events. In 2013, Alpine scooped the title in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). In 2014, the Signatech-Alpine team is aiming for a podium in LM P2 in the Le Mans 24-hour event, besides defending its title.

The Dieppe plant, home of the Alpine brand, is making preparations to build and assemble the chassis and  bodywork of the future Alpine, especially developing a true Alpine production vehicle by 2016 under the management of Bernard Ollivier.

File Photo of an Alpine sports car/ for representation purpose only.