Renault has confirmed it is to partner with Caterham to build a range of Alpine sports cars in Dieppe from 2015.
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The partnership between Renault and Caterham is a logical extension of their F1 partnership but now, with the joint venture to produce their own sports cars, goes much deeper than the almost badge-engineering Williams Renaults.
A new company – Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham – will be jointly owned by Caterham and Renault and will develop models in small and large volumes to be marketed as both Renault Alpine and Caterham, and will be built in Renault’s Dieppe factory that currently churns out Renaultsport models for the road and track, and is the historical home of Alpine.
Although the new Alpine cars will be distinct from Renault’s current range – especially when they carry a Caterham badge – it seems likely that what underpins them will be Renault-based and with powertrains sourced from Renault too.
Tony Fernandes, Caterham Group Chairman, said:
I have not felt as excited about a new venture since I launched AirAsia in 2001 and I want to thank Carlos Ghosn and Carlos Tavares and everyone in our new Renault family for having the belief in Caterham Group to create this partnership.
Many people doubted us 11 years ago when we launched our airline and I am sure that there will be doubters again this time, but we will not fail your trust. We know the markets we are going into and, particularly in my playground in Asia, there is a huge opportunity to replicate the AirAsia model and give consumers access to exciting, affordable products that marry our interests in F1 and technology and help make their dreams come true
It all sounds very promising – although there really isn’t much detail yet of what exactly the Caterham Renault deal will actually produce – but we’re assuming the aim will be more affordable than supercar.
Because even with Caterham’s input, how many will buy a Renault ‘supercar’ built in France?
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