Geneva show: Alpine gives Paris the runaround

ALPINE has offered another instalment in the drip-feed of information for its upcoming sportscar with the Renault-owned brand sharing images of pre-production prototypes undergoing road testing in Paris during the night.

Rumoured for an official public reveal at the Geneva motor show next month, Alpine's first production vehicle in more than two decades – which is expected to be named AS110 – has been teased visually since early last year, but little mechanical information has been released yet.

However, some fresh details have emerged regarding the aerodynamics of the sportscar, with the French manufacturer saying its shell offers controlled air flow thanks to its bespoke aluminium platform.

The new model “was engineered to have a flat floor and rear diffuser to deliver remarkable aerodynamics and impeccable road-holding,” according to Alpine.

Buyers will also find custom-built seats that weigh a scant 13.1 kilograms inside the cabin of the AS110, which offer lightweight comfort and aid the pursuit of a lower kerb weight.

The teaser images show the sportscar's development team setting off from a Paris showroom earlier this month for what was described as their “last trip aboard the camouflaged Alpine before the reveal of the new model.” Despite the camo disguise, the new shots offer the best indication yet that the design of the production vehicle will remain faithful to that of the concept, which was first revealed in February last year.

As previously reported, the AS110 will be available from launch this year as a limited Premiere Edition, but all 1955 examples have since been reserved by European customers.

To meet the demand for its next sportscar, Alpine has reopened its order books and is now offering reservations for non-Premiere Edition examples, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2018.

The Premiere Edition itself will cost buyers no more than €60,000 (A$85,000) and will be offered with the colour choices of either Bleu Alpine, Blanc Solaire or Noir Profond.

It is still not officially known if the AS110 will come to Australia, with only 13 countries confirmed for local releases so far, but the manufacturer says availability will be extended to more markets throughout next year.

Only one performance figure has been confirmed so far, with a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds ensuring the AS110 has the acceleration to match its sporting intent.

While powertrain details continue to be a closely guard secret, expect to see a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine from Renault Sport to be mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

However, anything is possible at this stage, including the potential of a Mercedes-AMG powerplant thanks to Renault-Nissan's previously reported joint collaboration with the German manufacturer's parent company Daimler.

Official details and specifications for Alpine's new model are expected to revealed at the Geneva motor show, which kicks off on March 7.