Renaultsport to become stand-alone brand - report

 Renaultsport to become stand-alone brand - report
Renault Concept car DeZir

First model could be a DeZir convertible

Instead of reviving the legendary Alpine moniker, Renaultsport will reportedly become a stand-alone brand with exclusive models.

Speaking with AutoCar, Renault's product manager Beatrice Fouche said, "Renaultsport is key to Renault's strategy. It already has excellent loyalty and is perceived by some owners as a brand in its own right, and we can develop that further." She added, "We will continue working on derivative versions of the Mégane, for example, because that's a terrific car and excellent for us. But we also need specific models only for Renaultsport. We have started working on that; we're thinking of small volumes, where there are good business models."

While nothing is official, the Renaultsport lineup is expected to consist of two or three vehicles. The first model will reportedly be a DeZir convertible which is based on the concept that debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It will likely be powered by a Clio-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine that develops 201 PS (148 kW / 198 hp) and 215 Nm (159 lb-ft) of torque. Furthermore, pricing is expected to start at roughly £30,000 ($48,470 / €34,460).

Source: Autocar

Add a Comment

Comments (18)

Subscribe to comments
 Homerlovesbeer Homerlovesbeer
Fantastic! I can't wait! Renault french style with Renaultsport engines and handling seems like a match made in heaven! Lucky we have cameras for seeing behind us though, with the rear vision of the concept being zero :-)
March 18, 2011 3:46 pm
 MTC MTC
This is going to work
March 18, 2011 3:49 pm
 Hellbound Hellbound
I think so too. I hope this happens with the next RenaultSport Clio.
March 21, 2011 3:40 am
 GTurbo GTurbo
Seems like Renault is finally sick and tired of playing Cinderella when Nissan goes to the ball to have sporty fun! That's more like it Renault! See what Citroen is doing now? This DeZir Concept is rather desirable and the Renaultsport brand can really take off with the production version. The 'vava voom' is back Thierry!
March 18, 2011 7:20 pm
 DdW DdW
It has been long overdue for such a move. Nevertheless, it is heartening to know that Renault has realized the potential its motorsports division would bring, via sports-cars infused with racing technology to compete the likes of its sibling, Nissan's Nismo and car factory powerhouses such as Audi's RS, BMW's M and Mercedes-Benz's AMG. The beautiful Dezir convertible, should it be realized, will be a interesting proposition for flagship status within the Renaultsport lineup, to fight the contemporaries. Perhaps, it could have the "musketeer" in the making!
March 18, 2011 7:58 pm
 A A
WHY??...HOW CAN Renaultsport be a major 'strategic' move??, when it is not a world wide 'available' brand, and this thing above is a Concept, which will never make production.
March 19, 2011 12:57 am
 wcfuser14369 wcfuser14369
Did you read the article?
March 19, 2011 2:36 am
 swifthead swifthead
actually they should also make some kind of a Nissan GT-R twin brother...maybe less computerized and only RWD and lower price?
March 19, 2011 5:36 am
 loki loki
"Alpine" had an aura. "Renault Sport" does not.
March 19, 2011 8:11 am
 alessandro alessandro
I just love the idea. Interesting, belongs the Alpine name and badge to RenaultSport?
March 19, 2011 12:14 pm
 eddie eddie
buy a camaro instead
March 19, 2011 2:30 pm
 Banglefan350 Banglefan350
Riiiight, because that's basically the same thing... not.
March 20, 2011 11:29 am
 wcfuser14455 wcfuser14455
"Clio-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine that develops 201 PS" The engine is naturally aspirated, not turbo!
March 20, 2011 1:43 pm
 Fourie_00 Fourie_00
yeah that bit i think is BS cos a clio already produces around 140 odd kw's !!?? plus they have a 2.0lt turbo engine ready to drop in, in the way of the megane RS engine. i am extremely doubtful they will develop another 2.0lt turbo engine if they already have a current (pretty decent) version
March 21, 2011 2:52 pm
 ght ght
French cars=LOL
March 21, 2011 12:26 pm
 livc44411 livc44411
qht=LOL
March 21, 2011 1:27 pm
 Fourie_00 Fourie_00
+1
March 21, 2011 2:53 pm
 livc44411 livc44411
Excellent move by Renault,hope it means they are finally waking up!!!...Shame about the Laguna dissapearing though :-/
March 21, 2011 1:29 pm