A First Look at the New Alpine Arriving in Japan Next Year | Alpine
Alpine Vision | Alpine Vision
A First Look at the New Alpine Arriving in Japan Next Year
Alpine's concept model, the "Alpine Vision," made its debut in Japan. It was revealed that the reborn Alpine brand will be introduced to the Japanese market in early 2018.
Text and Photographs by OHTO Yasuhiro
Styling Inspired by the A110
On February 16th this year, Renault announced the revival of the "Alpine" brand and its first model, the concept car "Alpine Vision." Production was set to begin in 2017, with an introduction to the European market. The car now on display in Japan is precisely that vehicle.
The Vision, which Alpine itself touts as the ultimate sports car, is crafted as a lightweight sports car, much like its predecessors, featuring a lightweight body with a two-seater cabin.
The powertrain features a specially developed inline-4 turbocharged engine mounted mid-ship, paired with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT). While detailed specifications remain undisclosed, it is said to achieve a 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 4.5 seconds. Naturally, a powerful braking system is also equipped to allow drivers to fully enjoy the car's dynamic performance.
The styling incorporates motifs from past legendary models, notably the "A110," reinterpreted for the modern era while maintaining an instantly recognizable Alpine aesthetic. The front fascia and rear window, in particular, evoke an homage to the A110. The concept model's body color is the iconic Alpine blue and white. Several other colors are expected to be available for the production version.
Alpine Vision | Alpine Vision
A First Look at the New Alpine Arriving in Japan Next Year (2)
Japan: The First Market Outside Europe
The cabin is a sporty composition of leather, microfiber, aluminum, and carbon. The seats are racing-style buckets, yet they don't forgo elegance, featuring diamond stitching on the leather upholstery. Beneath the driver's gaze lie an advanced TFT LCD instrument cluster and a three-spoke aluminum sports steering wheel with paddle shifters. The round stopwatch on the central multimedia touchscreen tablet on the dashboard is reminiscent of the rally stages where Alpine once excelled.
Production of the Vision's commercial model, currently under development, will take place at the Dieppe factory in France, the historic home of Alpine and Renault Sport. The European market launch is slated for 2017.
In Japan, the launch is scheduled for early 2018, making it the first market outside of Europe. This decision is attributed to Alpine's past presence and dedicated fanbase in Japan, as well as the market's preference for lightweight sports cars. The dealerships handling Alpine will be a select few within the Renault network, chosen to provide exceptional service to Alpine enthusiasts.
When asked about pricing by Michael van der Sande, Alpine's Managing Director who visited Japan, he stated, "While it offers performance capable of competing with the Porsche 911, its price will be considerably more accessible." The presentation also included comments about offering a realistic price point despite being positioned as a premium car. We eagerly await the official European price announcement.