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Renault Alpine sports car delayed by design change
For those awaiting the new Renault Alpine sports car, the wait may be longer than expected as the car has been delayed due to a design change.
Insiders have admitted to there being 'creative tensions' between Renault and Caterham, the two firms co-developing the new sports car. The two car firms are jointly developing the model for their own individual projects and will launch their own distinct version. The design of the Alpine sports car is being revised due to a mixed reception from potential customers following a styling mule being shown at a secret customer clinic.
What does this mean for the Renault Alpine sports car?
Renault's decision will have a knock-on effect on Caterham as the British firm had already signed off it's final design months ago. They must now wait for Renault's new direction for the car as it's bodywork will have to maintain the same dimension and fixing points as those set for the Alpine.
As part of the joint venture, both cars will be launched at the same time, although there remains a likelihood that they will run the Renault-source powertrain in different states of tune. The Alpine model has been tipped to get 250 brake horse power, with Caterham chasing nearer 300bhp. The model's target kerb weight is 1,100kg.
Comments on the Alpine sports car venture
Caterham Group CEO, Graham Macdonald declined to comment on specifics of the joint venture but admitted the project had fallen behind schedule and that there were cretive tensions between the partners, “There are ongoing frustrations on both sides, but we knew there would be challenges from the start. It was never going to be easy: we are a small, agile company and they are a large, corporate firm. That’s causing frustrations for us and, I’m sure, for them.”
The departure of then Renault boss, Carlos Tavares, from the company last year is not said to be the reason the project has stalled, as an insider commented “Immediately after he left, Caterham was given assurances from the highest levels at Renault that the joint venture remained a priority. That commitment remains in place.”
In an official statement the French company, Renault, commented, “Renault does not comment on rumours about future models. However, we can say that it is standard procedure for Renault to run customer clinics with future products. As a result, sometimes, we make some evolutions to the design. This is a very normal process for new product design.
As a result of the mixed reviews, the Renault Alpine sports car project has been put back to a late 2016 launch at the earliest, around a year behind the original anticipated schedule.