The new Alpine topic

[stephendell]

Read this today:

The coupe is aimed at two groups of buyers: Men aged 45 or older who own multiple cars and "might have tried Porsche in the past," Deville said, and younger, successful entrepreneurs or tech workers who don’t know the brand but are "fans of design and modernity."

Within the premium coupe segment, Renault is positioning the A110 as an alternative to the mid-engine Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche 718 Cayman, which also have turbocharged four-cylinder powerplants.

Read this today:

The coupe is aimed at two groups of buyers: Men aged 45 or older who own multiple cars and "might have tried Porsche in the past," Deville said, and younger, successful entrepreneurs or tech workers who don’t know the brand but are "fans of design and modernity."

Within the premium coupe segment, Renault is positioning the A110 as an alternative to the mid-engine Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche 718 Cayman, which also have turbocharged four-cylinder powerplants.

Hear that Toyota are soon to re- enter the field with a new MR2 so lots of competition out there.

[BIG_MVS]

successful entrepreneurs or tech workers

Count me in*




* Unfortunately about £50k short though currently.

[Alpineandy]

I appreciate that Renault has a far bigger following of slightly more affluent people now than they did in the 80s and early 90s (when many of those followers had less cash and started the affection with the R5GTT, Clio 16V, Williams, R19-16V & 21 Turbo etc) but you'd have though they'd appreciate from back then with the poor sales of the GTA/A610, that even by dropping the Renault name for the Alpine name they won't be able to compete with the Porsche or Alfa brands with the vast majority of that target market...

From what I can see, once the initial nostalgia 'marketing' has been used up, sales will fall pretty flat as the car is expensive.
Possibly the build/dynamic quality will justify the price but 75% of that market is buying for prestige and the probability of parking the car in the golf/squash/tennis club car park and the guy getting out of the Porsche/Audi/Merc saying 'Nice Renault' doesn't give that level of prestige.
They'll need the reliability of the Lexus/Infiniti brands too, as they won't be able to withstand the poor publicity of an unreliable car in the same way Alfa can...
I hope I'm wrong but I really think they've aimed too up-market.

I appreciate that Renault has a far bigger following of slightly more affluent people now than they did in the 80s and early 90s (when many of those followers had less cash and started the affection with the R5GTT, Clio 16V, Williams, R19-16V & 21 Turbo etc) but you'd have though they'd appreciate from back then with the poor sales of the GTA/A610, that even by dropping the Renault name for the Alpine name they won't be able to compete with the Porsche or Alfa brands with the vast majority of that target market...

From what I can see, once the initial nostalgia 'marketing' has been used up, sales will fall pretty flat as the car is expensive.
Possibly the build/dynamic quality will justify the price but 75% of that market is buying for prestige and the probability of parking the car in the golf/squash/tennis club car park and the guy getting out of the Porsche/Audi/Merc saying 'Nice Renault' doesn't give that level of prestige.
They'll need the reliability of the Lexus/Infiniti brands too, as they won't be able to withstand the poor publicity of an unreliable car in the same way Alfa can...
I hope I'm wrong but I really think they've aimed too up-market.

I'm not as pessimistic as you are.
As said, bookings are full till May 2019.
There is a more hardcore version + probably a convertible or Targa versions to come, so it will maintain some interest to the brand.
Plus they will organise some special passionnate events like circuit racing for the customers.
They made it a standalone brand, so most of poeple won't consider it as a Renault; I don't think those at the golf/squash/tennis club car park will be saying "nice Renault".

'They' may have tried to make it a standalone brand but all the press here always refer to it as Renault's new Alpine so I'm afraid it will be known as such .

[Alpineandy]

They made it a standalone brand, so most of poeple won't consider it as a Renault; I don't think those at the golf/squash/tennis club car park will be saying "nice Renault".

I'm 100% certain they will consider it as a Renault...
The same way every car magazine, newspaper article and TV show will call it a Renault (or Renaults Alpine brand), and not just in the UK but everywhere.

They made it a standalone brand, so most of poeple won't consider it as a Renault; I don't think those at the golf/squash/tennis club car park will be saying "nice Renault".

I'm 100% certain they will consider it as a Renault...
The same way every car magazine, newspaper article and TV show will call it a Renault (or Renaults Alpine brand), and not just in the UK but everywhere.

the commentator on Motorsports tv called the Signatech Alpine a Renault Alpine at Silverstone today.... he did correct himself mind.

Allright then.
But still, that doesn't mean it will not sell though.
For now, it seems the orders are above their expectations.
I really hope it's a success because it's the condition they announced to launch some other
models and create a real lineup of Alpine cars.

[BIG_MVS]

Yo Didz! Don't get upset chief, it's just over here in the UK the Alpine market is historically low. We only shifted 68 A610's don't forget... The majority of people over here are badge snobs so convincing people to pay nearly £60k for a "Renault" is going to be tough.

Orders and sales will no doubt be excellent on the continent. It's a bit like trying to shift a new TVR or Lotus in France, I don't think enthusiasm will be that great?

We know on here what a great car they are though and are hoping for it to be a success. I have been told that in the flesh the new A110 is superb and looks even better than in the pictures. As discussed times have changed and people have disposable cash with the minuscule interest rates so I can see it be a better seller already.

What's it say on the Didz paycheck ? Renault or Alpine ?

[Alpineandy]

The initial frenzy of sales is the 'Nostalgia' market and I really hope they sell enough to continue with the brand, but as I said, I think they're aiming at the wrong market sector to build the brand.
If the car (when it arrives) isn't more special than it's competitors or has any reliability issues then it'll gain a negative reputation...

In my opinion they should have done a more 'lotus elise' type basic car (less electronics to go wrong ) where the driving dynamics are the selling point. Once the brand is established then they can do the more executive sports car with all the electronic gadgets at the appropriate price...

I really hope I'm wrong...

Yo Didz! Don't get upset chief.

Yo Big_MVS, I'm not upset mate and I fully understand your point about the UK market.
Furthermore with the Brexit, it will be even tougher to sell it cross the Channel...
As you said, it looks selling well on the continent; I heard about some plan to sell it in the US as well later on.
They announced that this A110 success or not will be Alpine's one and only chance for the brand's rebirth. I personnally would love to see a reborned A310 which was my favorite, espescially the GT pack version I find really gorgeous.

What's it say on the Didz paycheck ? Renault or Alpine ?

lol !

Looking forward to seeing the new car

As someone who worked in sales at a main Renault dealership trying to sell new GTA`s in the day. I know how hard it is to get a buyer away from the mainstream products - in those days, Porsche (944T) Lotus, TVR & maybe Jaguar. Not to mention nearly new 911`s. Everyone who drove the car loved it, but persuading them to part with their money - something else, even though the press had given the car a thumbs up. I think its a triumph that 600 or so GTA`s were sold in the uk That's a bit less than 10% of total production. This of course was in the late 1980`s when many enthusiasts knew the Alpine name through rallying, as we know the name couldn't be used so it was a Renault here. we also had the 5GTT, 11T, & 21T to sell alongside it.

With regard to the new car. It looks great & will probably be great to drive. It will still compete with Porsche - The Caymen this time, & Lotus, maybe Alfa, & oh yes, used 911`s. Will there be enough people to want something different - who knows ? I think Renault should be applauded for bringing this car to market. It WILL be known as a Renault. Because the Alpine name has been dormant for so long, younger enthusiasts wont know it. But with social media spreading the word,& a good press, it might just sell in the UK. It will undoubtedly sell in mainland Europe where the Alpine name is still recognised & people are not so blinkered.

Interesting ITW from MVDS in Geneva; it's by French but you can translate with Google.
https://alpineplanet.com/table-ronde-av ... de-geneve/
Few infos from this ITW :
- Base price with no option : 50 500€
- Other colours will be available.
- The Brembo brakes colour can be chosen.
- There is no more hardcore version planned (for now).
- They are fully focused on the success of this first model.
- The Engine from the Alliance is built in South Korea.
- The Getrag gearbox is specific to the Alpine.
- When you drive it, it feels you took off a back-bag full of bricks...lol
- No competition/racing for the moment.
- Nothing decided yet on future models; their priority is to make this model a success.
- They have 8 to 10 ideas about what they will do next, including a convertible version.