Renault-Caterham Venture to Relaunch Alpine Brand

Renault SA and the U.K.'s Caterham Group are forming a 50:50 joint venture to revive Renault's sporty Alpine brand.

The companies expect the partnership Societe des Automobiles Alpine Caterham to begin producing both high- and low-volume models in about three years. The vehicles will be made at Renault's plant in Dieppe, France.

Renault currently supplies engines to Caterham's Formula One racing team. Caterham Chairman Tony Fernandes tells reporters the venture's aim is to apply Renault's F1 engine technology and Caterham's F1 chassis expertise to high-performance vehicles that can be priced below those of supercar rivals Ferrari and McLaren.

Renault hinted most recently in January that it might relaunch the Alpine brand, which it acquired in 1973 and marketed separately until the mid-1990s. The company also showed an Alpine A110-50 concept in May to celebrate the brand's 50th anniversary.

Inspired by the brand's iconic A110 coupe, the carbon-fiber-bodied concept is powered by a 3.5-liter, 400-hp V-6 engine placed midship. The two-seater features scissor doors, an enormous rear wing and F1-style sequential six-speed transmission with ceramic dual-plate clutch.

Media reports suggest the partnership's first car will be a practical version of the A110-50 concept priced somewhere between $50,000 and $64,000.