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Alpine: All Models, History & Specs | The French Art of Agility

Alpine is the legendary French sports car brand, reborn. A champion of lightweight design and rally-bred agility, Alpine creates cars for the pure joy of driving. From the iconic, World Rally-winning A110 of the 60s to its brilliant modern successor, discover the story of the ultimate driver's car, French-style.

Alpine: The French Art of Agility

In the world of sports cars, there are titans of power and there are masters of agility. Alpine has always been the undisputed master of agility. Born in the twisting mountain passes of the Alps, this legendary French brand has a singular philosophy: that driving pleasure comes not from brute force, but from light weight, a responsive chassis, and a perfect harmony between driver and machine. Founded in Dieppe, France, by garage owner and rally driver Jean Rédélé, the story of Alpine is a story of giant-killing performance, of motorsport glory, and of a phoenix-like rebirth that has created one of the greatest driver's cars of the modern era.

The Genesis: A Rally Driver's Dream

The Alpine story began in 1955. Jean Rédélé found success in motorsport by racing and modifying Renault 4CVs. He knew that the key to winning on the tight, winding roads of the Alps was not immense power, but light weight and agility. He began building his own cars, combining humble Renault mechanicals with ultra-lightweight fiberglass bodies. He named his company Alpine, a tribute to his favorite hunting ground: the twisting roads of the Criterium des Alpes rally. This genesis, born from the demands of the rally stage, would forever define the brand's DNA.

Core Philosophy: "The Pleasure of Driving"

The core philosophy of Alpine is simple and unwavering: to deliver the purest, most engaging driving pleasure possible. This is achieved through three key principles:

  • Light Weight: This is the cornerstone of the Alpine philosophy. Every component is scrutinized to save weight, resulting in a car that feels nimble, responsive, and alive.
  • Agility: An Alpine is not designed for straight-line drag races; it is designed to dance through corners. With a focus on a low center of gravity and a perfectly tuned chassis, an Alpine is a precision instrument for a winding road.
  • Elegance: An Alpine is not just a performance car; it is a beautiful object. The brand has a heritage of stunning, compact, and timeless designs that are as exciting to look at as they are to drive.

The Icons of Dieppe: A Legacy of Victory and Style

Alpine's history is defined by its legendary rally-winner and its brilliant modern successor.

The A110 "Berlinette": The Rally-Winning Legend

The Alpine A110 (1961-1977), known as the "Berlinette," is a true automotive icon. This tiny, impossibly beautiful, rear-engine sports car was a giant-killer. Its featherlight fiberglass body and Renault-derived engines made it a dominant force in the world of motorsport. In 1973, the A110 achieved its ultimate glory, becoming the first-ever World Rally Champion. With its iconic quad headlamps and stunning shape, the original A110 is a legend of both performance and design.

The Rebirth: The Modern Masterpiece

After decades of dormancy, Renault made the brilliant decision to resurrect the Alpine brand. The result was the modern Alpine A110 (2017-Present). This car is not a retro pastiche; it is a modern masterpiece of engineering that is a true spiritual successor to the original. It features a lightweight, all-aluminum construction, a mid-engine layout for perfect balance, and a telepathic steering feel that has been praised by critics as one of the best in the world. It is a triumphant return for the brand and a testament to the enduring appeal of the lightweight sports car.

The GTs and The Future: A610 and Beyond

While the A110 is the icon, Alpine also has a history of building potent Grand Tourers, such as the futuristic, wedge-shaped GTA of the 80s and the powerful, turbocharged V6 A610 of the 90s. Today, Alpine is not just a car company; it is the performance brand for the entire Renault Group, including its Formula 1 team. Looking ahead, Alpine is embracing an all-electric future, with a stunning pipeline of new models, including a hot hatch (the A290) and an electric crossover, all designed to carry the brand's legendary agility and fun-to-drive spirit into a new, sustainable era.

Alpine Models

  • A110

    2017-Present

    The legendary French sports car, reborn. The modern A110 is a masterpiece of lightweight, mid-engine design that delivers one of the purest, most agile, and most joyful driving experiences in the world. A true connoisseur's alternative to a Porsche Cayman.

  • A110 (Original)

    1961-1977

    The 'Berlinette,' a rally-winning icon. The original A110 was a tiny, rear-engine, fiberglass-bodied marvel that became the first-ever World Rally Champion. Its beauty, agility, and giant-killing performance have made it a true automotive legend.

  • A610

    1991-1995

    The final evolution of the classic Alpine GT. The A610 was a powerful, rear-engine, turbocharged V6 sports car, a true French exotic that represented the pinnacle of the brand's grand touring heritage before its long hiatus. A rare and potent 90s classic.

  • GTA

    1984-1991

    The futuristic, wedge-shaped sports car of the 1980s. The GTA was a lightweight, fiberglass-bodied GT with a rear-mounted V6 engine, famous for its incredible aerodynamic efficiency and sharp, modern styling. A true icon of its era.

  • A290

    Announced

    The future of the electric hot hatch. The upcoming A290 is a high-performance, all-electric city car based on the Renault 5, designed to bring Alpine's legendary agility and fun-to-drive character to a new, sustainable generation of drivers.

  • Alpenglow

    2022 (Concept)

    A stunning vision of the future of sustainable performance. The Alpenglow is a radical, hydrogen-powered hypercar concept that showcases Alpine's future design language and its commitment to a zero-emissions, high-performance future, both on the road and at Le Mans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alpine part of Renault?
Yes, Alpine is Renault's dedicated performance and sports car brand. Founded as an independent company that used Renault parts, it was so successful in motorsport that Renault eventually purchased it. After a period of dormancy, the Renault Group brilliantly resurrected the Alpine brand in 2017. The Alpine name is also now used for the company's Formula 1 team.
What is the Alpine A110?
The Alpine A110 is a critically acclaimed, lightweight, mid-engine sports car. The modern A110 is a masterpiece of agility and is considered by many to be one of the best-handling and most fun-to-drive cars in the world, a true rival to the Porsche Cayman. It is a spiritual successor to the legendary original A110 from the 1960s and 70s.
Why is the original Alpine A110 a legend?
The original Alpine A110 "Berlinette" is a legend because it was a rally-winning giant-killer. With its tiny, featherlight fiberglass body and a rear-mounted Renault engine, it was incredibly agile. This agility and speed made it a dominant force in motorsport, culminating in it becoming the first car to ever win the World Rally Championship in 1973, beating much larger and more powerful rivals.
What is the meaning of the Alpine name?
The brand was founded by a French garage owner and rally driver named Jean Rédélé. He found his greatest motorsport success racing on the tight, twisting mountain roads of the Alps. He named his company "Alpine" as a tribute to the place where he and his cars had achieved their greatest victories, a perfect name for a brand built on agility and cornering prowess.
Are Alpine cars sold in the USA?
No, unfortunately, Alpine cars are not currently sold in the United States. While the modern A110 has been a massive critical success and is highly desired by American driving enthusiasts, the Renault Group has not officially announced any plans to bring the brand to the North American market at this time. It remains a European and Asian market gem.