French sportscar maker Alpine, part of the Renault Group, known for its niche rally cars, and more recently, the modern-day A110 and Formula 1 team, is now preparing to take the leap into the world of supercars. At an event unveiling the brand’s A390 crossover earlier this week, Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo confirmed Alpine’s upcoming flagship: A 1,000 horsepower hybrid performance supercar, set for a 2028 launch.
The plan is for a turbocharged V6 driving the rear wheels paired with two electric motors on the front axle, one for each wheel. With a projected 1,000 horsepower, Alpine’s yet to be named upcoming flagship, will take on the likes of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and the Lamborghini Revuelto.
However, given that a turbo V6 will power the Alpine ‘s 2028 supercar and the brand’s F1 connection, it also seems to align with the Mercedes-AMG One, which packs a 1.6-liter turbo V6 and four electric motors for a total system output of 1,063 horsepower. No details on the exact displacement of the Alpine’s V6, so we can’t confirm this just yet. But something that the two cars do share is motorsport-bred pedigree.
“This car has three objectives,” Alpine boss Philippe Krief told TopGear. “One is to bring Alpine up. You need this kind of car as it holds up all the rest of the range. Second, it’s a laboratory of innovation, for the supercar, then for Alpine, and then for the whole Group. Third, it will make a good business.”
Hypertech, a new Renault Performance division spun off from the French marque’s World Endurance Championship program and the engineering talent behind Alpine’s racing machines, will develop the upcoming supercar. It will feature a lightweight body made from carbon fiber and aluminium.
As for the design, it unfortunately won’t look anything like the stunning 6-cylinder hydrogen-powered AlpenGlow concept seen here. “This is a road car, very different,” Krief said. The Le Mans-inspired design was never meant for urban duty. The upcoming supercar will be purpose-built for the street. Having said that, head-turning design will be essential to break into a segment already dominated by established players. So hopefully, the production car draws some cues from the Alpenglow concept.
Krief, of course, is no stranger to the world of low-volume performance cars as he has led the development of models like the Ferrari 458 and the Ferrari SF-90 Stradale. He also played a pivotal role in the engineering of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio SUV. For Alpine, meanwhile, whose lineup is currently anchored by the ageing but brilliant A110 sports car, this will mark a major shift. The brand has plans to launch five all-electric models before 2030, and a larger vehicle, designed specifically for the U.S. market.
Could the new supercar carry a heritage nameplate like the A310 from the early 1970s? We don’t know yet. The closest production Alpine exotic we’ve seen in recent times is the Alpine AGTZ Twin-tail from Zagato. The upcoming French supercar will join the legacy of other low-slung mid-engined exotics like the Peugeot Oxia, the Citröen GT, and a long line of Bugattis, now under Bugatti-Rimac. Watch this space.
Source: Alpine, TopGear
