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Alpine Brand Still Considers Developing An SUV Based On Renault Model

Renault has finally resurrected the Alpine brand this year, and the new division has big plans for the future.
Alpine Vision Concept 19 photos
Photo: Alpine
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Coupes and convertibles might not be the only products on the agenda, as the market for these can only grip small sales volumes. Instead of just selling those body styles and attempting to make end’s meet, Alpine might be a gateway to offering performance-oriented SUVs based on Renault models.

The RenaultSport division, which is responsible for the sporty products in Renault’s lineup, does not seem that happy about making an SUV.

The people at RS feel that an SUV or a crossover with their badge could dilute the spirit of the carefully honed brand. The French know their way with purity is concerned, and you can tell just by looking at their cuisine and winemaking traditions.

However, a newly introduced player on the market, in the form of the Alpine brand, might be just the marketing department ordered when appending performance SUVs on the market.

Naturally, the team at RenaultSport might get involved on the development part, because they still have to answer to the bosses of Renault, but the resulting models will only be branded as Alpine cars.

The difference in branding could help Renault forge a competitor for the DS brand, which was also resurrected in recent years, and is now going through a separation process from the Citroen and Peugeot brands of the PSA Group.

With DS, Renault’s rivals get the chance to move some of their creations upmarket, while still having their bread and butter range of affordable models.

Renault already has a successful division of affordable cars, which is the Dacia brand, and the models sold by the main brand are still attainable for the average Joe in many markets.

However, moving upmarket is proving tricky for Renault. With the new Alpine brand, Renault might achieve this objective as well, without upsetting RenaultSport purists.

Besides, if Alpine sells enough SUVs, the company will be able to fund the development of more coupes and roadsters, which no petrol head would refuse. So keep that in mind before criticizing their potential plans.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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