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Spyshots: Renault Alpine Sportscar Test Mule Is a Lotus

Renault has announced an official collaboration with Caterham which will result in the revival of the Alpine brand before the end of 2015.
Renault Alpine Sportscar Test Mule 9 photos
Photo: CarPix
Renault Alpine Sportscar Test MuleRenault Alpine Sportscar Test MuleRenault Alpine Sportscar Test MuleRenault Alpine Sportscar Test MuleRenault Alpine Sportscar Test MuleRenault Alpine Sportscar Test MuleRenault Alpine Sportscar Test MuleRenault Alpine Sportscar Test Mule
Set to rival the Audi TT and especially the Porsche Boxster, the Renault Alpine will reportedly have a price in the region of €60,000. The Caterham version is expected to be cheaper and simpler, a back-to-basics track tool like the Lotus Elise.
Speaking of Lotus, the first prototype for the Alpine/Caterham sportscar has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring. The surprising thing is that it's a test mule based on a Lotus Exige.

Modification include a wider track made obvious by the enlarged wheel arches. So how do we even know it's the Alpine and not a new Lotus? Well, our spy photographers tell us the same car, which has French license plates, was being tested by wedish suspension company Öhlins together with the Megane RS and Clio RS.

Not a lot is known about the car, but it's believed Renault will use a bigger 2-liter turbo engine while Caterham wants to use a 1.6-liter turbo. We honestly don't know at the time, since the companies probably haven't made their minds up yet.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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