On February 16 (local time), "Alpine", Renault's sports car brand, revealed a new prototype, the “Alpine Vision”. Gran Turismo series Producer Kazunori Yamauchi, who built a great relationship with Alpine through the “Alpine Vision Gran Turismo” project, attended the announcement event and celebrated their new voyage, together with many other celebrities including Lord March, the host of the “Goodwood Festival of Speed”.

Alpine was originally a sports car brand created by racing driver Jean Rédélé, who built sports cars using Renault components. Rédélé wanted his future customers to feel the sensation he felt driving the winding roads of the Alps in these sports cars, and decided to name the brand after the snow-capped summits.

The stage that Alpine selected for this important day was Monaco, also known for the Monte Carlo Rally. This is a historic place for Alpine who took the podium for this rally in 1971 and 1973 with the famed A110.

In the open area alongside Port Hercule, roughly 90 Alpine A110 cars were lined up to celebrate the appearance of their new heir. At the event, hosted in a special tent constructed nearby, Chairman and CEO of the Renault Group, Carlos Ghosn himself appeared to unveil the car, revealing a white Alpine Vision.

The Alpine Vision is a prototype of the sports car Alpine intends to sell in 2017. But even so, the car is highly refined and at a level of quality you would expect to see in a dealership. The exterior is reminiscent of the A110, and the front mask and side panel contains characteristic lines which reminds the viewer of their legendary past.

While the A110 was rear engine, rear wheel drive, the Alpine Vision is a mid-engine rear wheel drive. The car is powered by a compact 4 cylinder turbo, propelling the lightweight body from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The Alpine development team has announced that they will be further refining its handling and detail over the next year, but it is certain that it’s going to be a very attractive competitor in the premium sports car market.

Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara DL, and host of the “Goodwood Festival of Speed”:

“The revival of Alpine means we will have some very exciting choices when it comes to choosing light and agile sports cars. I had the privilege to open the 23rd Festival of Speed last year driving the Alpine Celebration Concept car and am very much looking forward to discovering the actual production car and to soon seeing more Alpines roaring up the Goodwood hill.”

Jean Vinatier, famed Alpine Driver:

“Whenever I drive an Alpine in the Alps, I feel so at home. When I drove competitively, I was awarded the Coupe d’Or for winning the Coupe des Alpes rally three years in a row, equalling the record of Ian Appleyard and Stirling Moss before me. I have always associated Alpine with driving enjoyment and victory.”

André Desaubry, President of the Alpine Owners Club “Association des Anciens d’Alpine”:

“Alpine is my life, so witnessing its renaissance today clearly makes me very happy. I would like to think that our association of alumni as well as the various Alpine clubs around the world have all played their own small part in this exciting revival.”

Comment from Kazunori Yamauchi:

“When I was younger, I used to dream about Alpines. I still do – more than ever, and in fact – that dream has never been so close or so tangible.”