Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Nice car, a relatively light weight Alpine Renault

I wonder if we'll see another Korean Clone to capitalise on the Alpine?

They do have a habit of "borrowing" design cues and mixing and matching!

It's a shame it's so Audi coupe like at the rear, rather than reflecting the shape of the original.

And just an auto? Phuffffff!!!

Nonetheless I wish them well. It's much more interesting than the corporate sameness of most brands these days.

I would of thought there is a good chance of them "trumping" it ..

Me too. Back in the mid 80s when I was living in Wimbledon, Radbourne Racing always had one or two in the showroom, which I liked to pop in and oggle if I was walking past.

That isnt saying a lot! I used to find the Lotus with Probax leather seats to be reasonably comfortable - did Wales to Spain in a day with no complaints from SWMBO. But useable isnt a word I would use.

Some thoughts about weight and the question what is a real car considering the view of bigger target groups.

The Elise was designed to be an even more light weight car in comparison with the Alpine and she combined this goal with a meanwhile trustful reliability during all the years. (The Alpine is younger than brand new, and the production of the standard cars will begin at October 2018). So we know not very much but I‘m confident concerning the build quality.

The Elise struggled with added weight during her production time a lot. Every year she had to be some Kg heavier. E.g. my one is a 2007 MY which means she is the first year equipped with ABS but still without airbags = 840 Kg (I donˋt even know until today if petrol and a driver is included in this weight measurement).

Over the years all the added legal requirements, all little this and that here and there made them significantly heavier. The S 2 started somewhere at 790 Kg with K engine is now round about 900Kg or so? The difference is significant concerning the same basic design of car. Of course the choice of engine comes into the play as well.

The new Alpine which is claimed to weight 1030 Kg with 80 % of petrol included is heavier...but she is designed to this weight from scratch on which is a positive aspect considering the weight distribution, the damper and spring setting etc.

The Elise was designed to a weight arounf 800Kg which means it is not so good when today she is 110 Kg more heavy.

The Alpine weights exactly the same as a Porsche 911 chrome long hood built up to 1973 which feels really nimble and just a „right“ weight somehow. The old 911 with 140 HP does not feel any slow, and the Alpine with 250 HP should be sufficient for my needs...

And the Alpine seems to be a „serious“ car where the Elise is in my view short below the feel to be a ‚real‘ car. I like the Elise a lot. Don‘t misunderstand me, but my little 4/4 feels more like a „real“ car than the Else. The Elise feels more or less like a big and nice go-kart. BTW the 4/4 is in my view also the better car for long distance drive.

Thinking about the market chances the above thoughts mean that the Alpine could be considered like a genuine „car“ which may enhance her potential market share being lighter than the overfluid weighty Cayman but more a „solid car“ than an Elise which is a posiioning of the Alpine that could be a temptation for not only a few customers to try her out.

We shall see Heinz. I put my S2 Elise with the 2zz toyota engine on the weighbridge at work and fuelled up it came out at 900kg. You are right about the weight effect of increasing regulations and also "bells and whistles" with the latest 400bhp versions coming in at more than 1100 kg.

Suspension has been adjusted as the weight has increased, and no one knows more about suspension development than Lotus. I have no doubts in that respect.

Is an Elise a serious car? I think that rather depends on your age. Its certainly hard core, much more so than the Boxter. Too hard core for me to use any longer which is why I sold mine. Its also a 23 year old design which is about to be replaced if my dealer is correct.

Where the Alpine fits I can opnly guess. The previous Alpine wasnt a success which is why they stopped making it.Lets hope this one gets more than just patriotic french customers.

I drive the Apline on Dirt Rally on PS4 and really enjoy the handling. The only car on Dirt Rally which is more fun IMO is the Mk2 Escort.

I like the look of the new car but will admire it rather than own one.

As for Auto boxes and turbos. Think things are changing. I still get satisfaction in a slick gearbox, a manual dog box and now find flappy paddles offer very accessible performance and are so slick (I even enjoy the blip on down change). I am normally more concerned about how to reduce the other driver aids.

With regards to modern turbo engines. I have driven a few 3/4 and 6 pot development engines, some twin scrolling and, other than the sound which can be disappointing, the performance is very impressive with no noticeable lag and great torque right the way through the rev range.

I do not have a sports car with a turbo currently but my next sports car will likely have one and may have a manual or auto box. The box will depend on what suits the car and the use.