MOTORING
IT’S Monte Carlo or bust for Renault. The company is gambling that now is the time to revive a classic brand, Alpine, which it killed off 20 years ago.
The aim is to take on upmarket luxury sports car rivals such as Porsche, Audi and BMW.
I joined Renault in Monaco this week as it launched the new Alpine sports coupe — destined to become the first in a new family of cars including, it’s rumoured, a crossover 4x4.
Fittingly, given the nature of the gamble, the launch took place just around the corner from Monte Carlo’s famous casino.
The microstate was also the location of Alpine’s many Monte Carlo Rally successes prior to its demise in 1995. In its 40-year history, more than 30,000 cars were built for recreation and competitive racing.
Boss Carlos Ghosn said the new generation Alpine would be the first of a new family: ‘Alpine is back. We’re putting in place the first stepping stone of something that will be much bigger. We’re building a global brand.’
The showroom version will go on sale in 2017, with prices expected to start at £50,000. The Alpine Vision is powered by a four- cylinder turbocharged engine. Its low weight enables it to sprint from rest to 62 mph in less than 4.5 seconds.
Alpine aficionado the Earl of March, who has featured the cars at his Goodwood Festival of Speed, and was in Monaco for the unveiling, said: ‘The revival of Alpine means we will have some new and very exciting options when it comes to choosing light and agile sports cars.’
They will be built at a modernised factory in Dieppe, where the original was created. ANYONE who grew up in the Seventies will be struck by the resemblance between the new Riversimple Rasa hydrogenpowered electric fuel cell car and the futuristic vehicle driven by Commander Ed Straker in the cult Gerry Anderson sci-fi series UFO.
After taking a spin in the compact two-seater, I can tell you it’s a mini-marvel and grounded in reality, not sci-fi. It uses compressed hydrogen, which releases an electrical current, with by-product being pure water.
The prototype is still a bit rattly, but top speed is 60 mph, with a range of 300 miles.
Users from 2018 will pay a £500 per month service contract, which includes the hydrogen fuel. The firm is seeking 20 guinea pigs to carry out trials, plus backers to add to the £2 million pledged by the Welsh government. IMITATION is the sincerest form of flattery, so Nissan should be honoured that Spanish car firm Seat — part of the giant Volkswagen group — has unveiled its new Ateca SUV to take on the popular Nissan Qashqai. Expect prices from about £18,000. ON-A-ROLL Kia is has unveiled a new Niro petrol- electric hybrid SUV. It is powered by a 1.6litre four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 102 bhp, linked to a 42 bhp electric motor. It can be driven for three miles at speeds of up to 75 mph on battery power alone, and a fuel economy of 76mpg (CO2 emissions of 89g/km).
It premiered at the Chicago Motor Show, and is expected in UK showrooms this autumn priced from around £18,000.
The wraps have also come off Kia’s plug-in hybrid Optima saloon. Kia is also planning a new rangetopping sporty GT from 2017.