The news comes via Renault product manager Beatrice Foucher, who said: “We will continue working on derivative versions of the Mégane, for example, because that’s a terrific car and excellent for us. But we also need specific models only for Renaultsport. We have started working on that; we’re thinking of small volumes, where there are good business models.”
No official decision has been made, but Foucher did state that the company could support “two or three” unique models beyond its breathed-on hatchbacks. The first one will be a roadster version of the DeZir that will see a limited production run and “won’t be cheap”. A cost of about £30k has been suggested, but that won’t scare anyone if it handles well and looks like the concept.
When asked if the roadster will be an EV, Foucher said: “My dream is that we’ll be able to sell EV sports cars.” But this look unlikely as the lithium ion battery pack could prove too expensive for production.
The Clio RS’s 2.0-liter normally aspirated motor looks like a better fit for a rear-drive, mid-engined sportscar that needs linear power delivery. Towards the middle of the chassis’ production life cycle, we could also see a diesel-powerd version.
Like the Spider from 15 years ago, this roadster will most likely be made in Renaultsport’s production facility in Dieppe, as the plant has spare production capacity due to the fact that the hot Megane is made in Spain.
“Alpine is a brand we’d like to have. But we’d need to be able to fulfil Alpine’s values in the model, which means having a car that fits in with the Alpine DNA. Anything else would just damage the brand,” Foucher said, suggesting that the dream of the Alpina revival has been put on hold.
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