Renault Will Relaunch Alpine Brand in 2017

Renault SA will reintroduce its Alpine sub-brand next year in the form of a new sports car expected to be priced at about €45,000 ($50,100).

CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled a preproduction version of the car, the Alpine Vision, in Monaco earlier today. The company plans to produce about 3,000 of the coupes per year at its factory in Dieppe, France. Sales will begin in Europe and extend to unspecified other markets.

Renault says the rear-drive car will be equipped with a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine capable of propelling the car from zero to 100 kph in 4.5 seconds. The company revealed no other technical details.

The car revives the Alpine nameplate Renault phased out 20 years ago. The Alpine Berlinette coupe, which debuted in 1961, became a successful competitor in rallying in the early 1970s.

Renault celebrated the Berlinette’s 50th anniversary in 2012 by unveiling the A110-50, a concept heavily inspired by the marque’s A110 model.