Alpine, the French performance brand tied to Renault Group, has frequently shared plans to break into the U.S. market. This has included rumors that the initial lineup would include a successor to the fabled A110. The brand is now fleshing out plans to expand into our market, stating that it hopes to begin U.S. operations by 2026.
Renault CEO Luca de Meo confirmed several items during the automaker’s 2024 Annual General Meeting. Alpine is to become a global brand, with seven vehicles being planned for the United States by 2027.
“Alpine is on track to become a global brand with 50 [percent] of volumes outside of Europe by 2030,” said de Meo.
Known models, slated for the U.S., include whatever is about to replace the current A110. The model will be electric and utilize the Alpine Performance Platform. Rumor has it that the vehicle will play host to a battery pack sized just shy of 80 kWh and that the engineering team is hoping to create a rival of the all-electric 718 Porsche has been developing.
Electrification will fundamentally change the formula for the models, as both prioritize lightness and balance over engine output. Battery packs may be good at keeping a vehicle’s center of gravity low. But they also add a staggering amount of weight. With the Alpine A110 being laser focused on maximizing lightness and agility, one wonders how its successor is supposed to retain those traits with a relatively large power pack situated beneath the seats.
The A310 will also be coming to America after being out of production since 1984. Originally built as a successor to the A110, the model ended up being more like its bigger brother and adopted a 2+2 cabin. Once the original A110 ended production, the slower A310 started seeing major performance improvements and a boost in sales. Renault hasn’t confirmed much about the new model other than the fact that it will be another all-electric product from Alpine.
We’ve likewise heard rumors that it would be a sedan, though assuredly called a four-door coupe by the manufacturer. European outlets have suggested that Alpine is hoping to build something to compete with the Porsche Taycan. But we’re still too early in the development phase to assume much of anything beyond what Renault leadership has said directly.
While the A110 has long been one of those iconic European models Americans tend to obsess over even more due to the fact they cannot have it, Alpine’s follow-up model won’t be because it’s supposed to be all-electric. Granted, an A310 EV would probably garner some attention if designed well. But the model lacks some of the cultural cachet of A110 and almost certainly that of the original A310 ( which looks like a cross between a C3 Corvette and Nissan 300ZX). Meanwhile, all-electric products look to be confronting some hard times — particularly in North America where Alpine is aiming to do fresh business.
However, those wanting to sell in the United States know that crossover vehicles have been the safe bet and the brand definitely plans on having a few for sale by 2027. But the brand isn’t known for SUVs and crossovers, it’s known for building extremely lightweight performance and race cars in small quantities.
One could have also said that of Porsche in 2002. But then the Cayenne came out and suddenly everyone’s wife was driving one. Now, you can find people buying used Porsche SUVs on the cheap to be used as comfortable cruisers or built into luxury baja buggies.
Alpine plans to start with smaller vehicles, which is on brand. The smallest crossover available to us will be called the A390 and use the CMF-EV platform that underpins the Nissan Ariya and Renault Megane E-Tech Electric. That being the case, expect batteries sized between 66 and 91 kWh.
Less is known about the larger crossover. But rumor has it that Alpine wants to call it the A490. There will also be the A290, which is slated to be revealed later this year as a performance hatchback and has not yet been confirmed to come to North America.
While the crossover angle seems very unlike Alpine, it’s how companies are moving product these days and isn’t that worrying. The brand likewise seems to be trying to keep its crossovers more on the car end of the spectrum, rather than trying to build something masquerading as an off-road vehicle.
It’s the electrification aspect of the plan that’s slightly concerning. There just doesn’t seem to be sufficient interest in EVs for there to be another all-electric marquee in our part of the world at present. While Alpine would presumably be targeting affluent buyers, helping its chances, EV growth is slowing and most legacy automakers are revisiting their electrification plans. But the French automakers seem to have a real knack for building innovative vehicles and totally misunderstanding the American market. Win or lose, it should be a good effort.
[Images: Alpine]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.