Renault/Caterham Alpine Benchmarking MX-5 with Better Style

Renault'sRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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Marketing Manager Stephen Norman discussed a little more about the upcoming Renault/CaterhamCaterhamUnited Kingdom, 1973 > present9 models
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AlpineAlpineFrance, 1955 > 199414 models
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. 

“It won’t be more hardcore than a Mazda MX-5Mazda MX-5 Gen.3 [NC]Japan, 2006 > 201448 versions
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. What we do will not be soft, but not hardcore like a Peugeot 106 RallyePeugeot 106 RallyeFrance, 1995 > present2 photos
. You can’t betray the DNA of Alpine. That’s a third of what the car will be.

“It must be light and look different, and have a touch of French dash. It’s not a car for dandies, though. We know who the buyer is: he’s either French or a Francophile. And the car has technical innovation as part of its DNA," said Norman. 

The plan is to have the car on the market in less than four years. 

The plan is to sell the car for less than £50,000 (€60,950.74) and aim it against the BoxsterPorsche Boxster Gen.3 [981]Germany, 2012 > 20165 versions
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and Audi TTAudi TT Gen.2Germany, 2006 > 201480 versions
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.

Details about the car's chassis and engine are still scant because they are still being developed. We know that Caterham is doing a significant amount of the chassis engineering, and Renault is focusing on the engine. Each company will sell its own version of the car with unique styling. 

It seems to be a problem to build what has been marketed, so far, as a sports car but saying that it will not be as hardcore as a Miata, especially when the plan is to sell it against the Boxster. The advantage is that that car is still so early in development that if Caterham/Renault see a backlash for potential buyers, they will make it a sportier vehicle. It is especially odd, when you consider that Mazda and Audi have said that the next generation Miata and TT will be lighter, sportier cars. 

Source: Autocar