Porsche’s 718 Cayman is getting one pretty serious competitor. Yes, the Alpine nameplate is coming back, yet this time with a mid-engine DNA. Unofficially, the sports car will be named the 2017 Renault Alpine 120 and will be introduced at the upcoming Geneva motor show.
The car manufacturer hasn’t said anything regarding the powertrain, but we managed to found out the details. It should be an all-new 1.8-liter engine developed from the current turbocharged 1.6-l mill. Yes, the same one that currently powers the Clio RS. The unit will allegedly deliver almost 270 horsepower, while the range-topping model might get up to 300 hp. Both options will be paired with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive. The 2017 Renault Alpine 120 will be capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 in 4.5 seconds, which isn’t too surprising because the sports car rides on a lightweight aluminum-intensive platform.
The actual design is still “hidden” with the camouflage, but it’s obvious that the production model looks exactly like the earlier concept. Carmaker’s idea of the quad-headlight arrangement is very cool because this actually reminds of some old Alpine models. On the other hand, the interior will definitely feature more modern cues. Seats will be positioned pretty low, while the TFT display should occupy the best possible place on the dash. Yes, we almost forget to mention that the car gets Sport mode for a sharper drive. Read More
Like we already said, the 2017 Renault Alpine 120 will be introduced this year at Geneva Motor Show. The price is unknown at the moment, yet we think it will start below $60K.
