The Renault Alpine is to make a return in 2011, marking the first bespoke sports car from the French carmaker since the Renault Sport Spider. Renault insiders say the plan is for the car to be affordable, lightweight and rear-wheel drive, with the same virtues as the classic cars of the old Alpine brand.

Initial indications were that a new Alpine would be little more than a Renault version of the Nissan 350Z, drawing on the production and design partnerships between the two companies. However, without a sales base in the US, Renault believes it needs a radically different model, which is lighter, more fuel-efficient and has European appeal. The company also recognises that to be viable, the new model has to sell for significantly less than the Nissan. It is therefore thought that the Alpine will use a chassis similar to that of the Nissan Urge concept car, based on a shortened version of the 350Z.