Renault and Caterham Officially Confirm Work on Next Alpine

Signing the agreement

© photo courtesy of: Renault

RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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and CaterhamCaterhamUnited Kingdom, 1973 > present9 models
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have confirmed what has been an open secret over the past month; they are working together on a next generation AlpineBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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that is due in three or four years. The deal between them means that Caterham will own 50% of Alpine, which is currently wholly owned by Renault.  In addition to Caterham building the new Alpine, Renault says that it plans on relaunching the Alpine brand with multiple cars, and they will be built at the old Alpine factory in Dieppe, France. 

Renault and Caterham plan to develop multiple new cars for both small production and mass production. The two companies plan to split investments in the new company 50-50.

"Both companies will have input to the chassis engineering, engines etc as this is a pure 50:50 joint venture partnership. Both companies will also have their own input into the styling of their individual cars, Renault into the new Alpine, Caterham into its new model, so that although the two vehicles will obviously share the same platform, they will look different and will have their own unique personalities, as befitting of the two distinct brands," said Andy Bothwell, Caterham PR representative. 

Caterham chairman Tony Fernandes who founded the AirAsia airline says that the company will, "give consumers access to exciting, affordable products that marry our interests in F1 and technology."

Alpine was founded in 1955 as an independent company that used Renault engines to create sports cars. The company became Renault's official racing arm in the 60s and was bought by them in 1974. 

“Our ambitions of reviving Alpine depended on our ability to find a partner in order to ensure the economic profitability of such an adventure. Right from the start, we wanted to place the Dieppe plant at the heart of the project. Today, through our partnership with Caterham Group, we can enter a new phase:  the design of a vehicle that will embody the very essence of Alpine," said Renault Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares.