Alpine’s Supercar Plans

Alpine’s New Supercar

So, Alpine, the French brand with a rich racing heritage, is gearing up for something big. The plan is to roll out a supercar by 2028, and it’s going to pack quite a wallop. Alpine’s CEO, Phillippe Krief, is spilling the beans about a beast of a machine boasting around 1000 horsepower. Most of this power comes from a mid-mounted V6 engine driving the rear wheels, but that’s only half the story. Two electric motors, each handling a front wheel, add their own oomph thanks to some clever torque-vectoring tech.

Now, the folks at Alpine aren’t just winging it here. The same brains behind the car’s V6 powertrain are also involved in the world of Le Mans racing, which says a lot about their pedigree. Construction-wise, expect a combo of lightweight materials like aluminum and carbon fiber, keeping things fast and sleek.

Not a Le Mans Replica

A few years back, Alpine showed off a concept called the Alpenglow, which was all about a hydrogen-burning V6. It was an eye-catcher, but Krief is quick to say that the upcoming supercar won’t look anything like it. That was more Le Mans-ready than road trip-ready. This new ride? Street legal and built for a different kind of fun.

Krief, before heading up Alpine, spent time as Ferrari’s technical director. When he mentions the SF90 while talking about this new project, ears perk up. It’s a little hint that the Alpine supercar might have some Ferrari-esque traits under its hood.

Electric Evolution

Alpine isn’t just stopping at gas-powered machines. As part of the Renault family, they’ve also swung for the fences with electric vehicles. Take the snappy A290 hot hatch and the sleek A390 fastback for example. The A390, with its trio of motors, cranks out 470 horsepower and makes torque-vectoring sound like child’s play. These cars are setting the stage for the more extreme Alpine creations to come.

The connection between these small, electric five-door vehicles and a supercar might not seem obvious at first. However, Alpine is clearly mapping out a blueprint to make everyone notice their journey from feisty hot hatches to high-octane hypercars.

Looking Forward

For more than seven years, Alpine has been crafting the A110, a delightful little mid-engined beauty. The A110’s next chapter comes in 2026, when it transforms into a fully electric sports car. The battery will be ingeniously split, positioning some cells behind the seats and the rest up front. This setup keeps the driver’s seat low and nimble. With an in-wheel motor at each rear wheel, it’s designed to dance like a Porsche Boxster but with an electric twist.

This new chapter for Alpine looks pretty exciting. They are aiming to blend their racing DNA with cutting-edge technology for the road. The journey from race tracks to urban streets with European finesse and raw power might just redefine what enthusiasts expect from a carmaker with Alpine’s history.