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

Yes, I too have a 'not-Renault' ... an Avantime, which wears Renault badges, but owners know is really a Matra

Alpine is a very strong brand, with heritage - and I guess will attract an older more moneyed demographic than Renault's various sports badge variants currently find.

Oh, and Lotus spent most of the past 15 years being Malaysian; they're now Chinese owned.

Will

Guys, don‘t dispute Lotus vs. Renault. I also have a quick Elise and I like the brand. But we are talking about a serious alternative with the additional benefit to get in and out and the Alpine seems to be a good package.

Beside Mazda, no real world manufacturer offers a (new) NA engine (which is a pitty). So they have to take at Alpine what the factory can offer and what is payable.

Further on I like the approach of the Alpine how to save weight And money at the same time (e.g. avoiding complicated and weight adding damper systems) but present a fully aluminium made body.

BTW, a 4/4 Sigma will be an extremely desirable car 10 years from now....with her little and rev willing NA Sigma engine.

Before I bought my Plus 4, I was seriously tempted to wait for this one.
Completely different cars, but both fun for the weekend.
Only have a garage for 1, so at least for the coming years I'm going to enjoy my Morgan.

Would still love to test drive the Alpine though...

I can't find any reference to it but I am almost sure that I read somewhere that Lotus and Renault were working together on an aluminium tub platform design. Anyone else recall that?

Mmmm am liking the Alpine.

Always loved the originals too - one was on the Hillclimb scene for quite a number of seasons.

I think what you are recalling, Peter, is that this alpine project originally started as a joint venture with caterham, but the partnership was dissolved 2or 3 years ago.

I think the end result will be a boost for them both if all goes well.

You look at either based on press, PR, interest, mates recommendation etc. Most people then see what it compares to and benchmark it. Cayman, Lotus. The key thing is consideration, if you can get a seat at the table you will have a chance to sell something. The product should put them in contention.

Love the Porsche but it does not really say "me" it says "like them" and if I am going to spend a lot of money on a discretionary purchase I would like to be me. I am certain that resonates given the forum we are sharing on!

I figure a few people will come to Lotus having tried the Alpine and likewise a few Lotus owners may be looking for a change. Either way the interest will drag in more people and the market size should expand further.

Who knows Morgan may even get a few off the back of it. The M3W is in the autocar loony car column with Aeriel etc. The +4 is in the price range.

Most of all it is not another SUV with a pot of glitter sprinkled on it.

Which apparently is what Lotus are now condemned to have to make under Geely.



I dont think the issue is NA or not but turbo or not. There is no throttle lag on a supercharged engine but lag is inevitable on a turbo one as the turbo has to spool up. Even electric turbos which some cars have as an attempt to get the lag to a minimum, dont spool instantly



I dont know whether it was formal co-operation or simply copying but its well established that the testing of parts of the Alpine round the ring were done with a modified lotus exige including suspension testing. Like the 4C, the Alpine is modelled on Chapmans "add lightness" philosophy even if it isnt that light at 1100 kg empty

They worked together with Caterham (which was supposed to spawn its own version of the car, possibly more extreme than the Alpine) but then they started disputing on the direction of the project and split up two or three years ago

BTW: as a Lotus owner myself, I don't see this car as a direct competitor to my Elise. I think of it as a purer and more driver focussed alternative to a Cayman. This Alpine is going to be extremely more usable and comfortable then an Elise will ever be.

I didn’t say Renault Howard.....not that there is anything wrong with some of the more sporty Renaults. And you mention Toyota engines😉
I’ve driven a number of Elise’s in the past having been very tempted....Paul Matty was only a couple of miles away from home and very tempting....and I like them a lot. I’d be more tempted with an original Alpine though!