Renault has pulled the covers off the Alpine A110-50 concept at no grander event than the Monaco Grand Prix. The unveiling was mooted during the week when a single image of the car was leaked online by German website Sport Auto.
The A110-50 was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original Alpine A110 with the concept wearing more than a few touches that nod towards its illustrious predecessors. However, while the Alpine Blue paint and half domed lights may be straight out of the sixties the rest of the concept is anything but.
Styling of the new car has obviously been influenced by the DeZir that was originally shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Unlike the DeZir however the Alpine is not powered by a mid-mounted lithium-ion battery, but instead a 400hp V6 petrol engine that transmits power to the rear wheels via a F1-style six-speed sequential gearbox. The engine is housed in the tube-framed chassis of the Renaultsport Mégane race car and with carbon fibre bodywork contributing to an 880kg kerb weight performance should be exceptional.
It's widely expected that Renault will launch Alpine as a sporty sub-brand.