Shut down in 1995 after four decades on the market, the Alpine 
brand has been struggling to return for about five years now. Set to revive the iconic A110, Renault has already showcased on number of concept cars, starting with the A110-50 in 2012 an ending with the Alpine Vision of 2016. The latter shares about 80 percent of its design with the production model and the company promised that a final version will hit the market by February 2017.
Now that we the highly anticipated Alpine sports car is around the corner, the company is likely already planning its expansion, because let’s face it, you can’t survive with just one product unless your name is Bugatti. We already know Alpine is pondering an SUV and a proper sports car family, but the French have yet to talk about it in detail. However, it’s safe to assume that the said sports car lineup will revolve around this new coupe (reportedly called the AS1) and that the first derivative will be an open-top version.
With that in mind, we rendered a convertible model based on the production-ready Alpine Vision Concept and put together a speculative review about what it might bring to the table. Keep reading to find out more about the drop-top sports car that could challenge the Porsche 718 Boxster.
Continue reading to learn more about the Renault Alpine Convertible.
Exterior
Modifications will be noticeable above the beltline, starting with the revised windscreen and the missing B- and C-pillars
Much like any convertible version out there, the roofless Alpine will be identical to the coupe below the waist. Look for the same A110-inspired front hood and headlamps, and wide grille with horizontal bars. The rear fascia should also be identical and include the X-shaped LED pattern taillights, beefy bumper with a center-mounted exhaust pipe, and a subtle trunk lid spoiler.
Modifications will be noticeable above the beltline, starting with the revised windscreen and the missing B- and C-pillars. Along with the roof, Alpine will also ditch the Porsche 911-style grille between the rear glass and trunk lid, as the area will most likely be used to store the canvas roof. Also, expect the Alpine to sport a slightly different shape with the top up, as foldable roofs rarely mimic the shape of the metal top due to technical reasons.
Interior
Note: Renault Alpine Vision Concept pictured here.
The cockpit should also be identical to the coupe’s, which we already established is a nice place to spend time in. The Vision Concept’s interior, likely to hit the assembly line with minor changes, features a pair of sporty bucket seats with racing-inspired harnesses, high-quality materials such as quilted leather and Alcantara, and aluminum and carbon-fiber inserts. These details, along with the customizable TFT instrument cluster, the stopwatch atop the multimedia screen, the blue stitching, and good fit and finish make the Alpine look not only sporty, but expensive as well. The concept is by no means inferior to the new 718 Boxster’s, but it remains to be seen if the production model will arrive with similar features.
Drivetrain
Note: Renault Alpine Vision Concept pictured here.
Naturally, the convertible will share its drivetrain with the coupe. Alpine has yet to reveal full specifications, but confirmed that power will come from a four-cylinder engine made by Renault Sport. The said unit will propel the coupe from 0 to 62 mph in under 4.5 seconds, but expect the drop-top to be slightly slower. Renault will most likely use an uprated version of the Clio RS’ 1.6-liter turbo-four or a detuned variant of the Mega Megane RS’ 2.0-liter four-banger to achieve this sprint. The former generates 197 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque in the Clio RS, while the latter cranks out 271 horses and 265 pound-feet in the Megane RS 275 Trophy. Expect the Alpine to come with around 230 horsepower on tap.
Prices
Pricing is still a mystery, but word has it the coupe will have a starting price in the €30,000 to €35,000 range. That’s about $33,000 to $38,500 at current exchange rates. Whatever the sticker, expect the convertible to be a bit more expensive than the coupe. As far as availability goes, the Alpine will most likely be aimed at European enthusiasts, to whom the brand is more familiar. There are rumors that Renault might look to return to the U.S. with Alpine, but this isn’t very likely given that this name is virtually unknown in North America.
Competition
Porsche 718 Boxster
Probably the sports car Alpine will aim its convertible at, the Boxster is brand-new for 2016, having received revised styling and a new moniker that pays homage to a lightweight race car developed in the mid-1950s. The 718 Boxster also received a couple of new four-cylinder engines, ditching the previous six-cylinder units. The base Boxster is now motivated by a 2.0-liter flat-four rated at 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the Boxster S uses a 2.5-liter flat-four to put 350 horses and 309 pound-feet to the asphalt. The former can sprint to 60 mph in as quick as 4.5 seconds, while the latter can achieve the same benchmark in as quick as four ticks. Both figures are for models equipped with the quick-shifting PDK transmission and the Sport Chrono package. European pricing for the 718 Boxster starts from €53,646 (about $59,000) for the base model and €66,141 (around $72,750) for the S-badged version.
Find out more about the Porsche 718 Boxster here.
Audi TTS Roadster
The TTS Roadster might not be as exciting as the 718 Boxster as far as underpinnings and brand cachet go, but it is quick enough to give its competitors a run for their money. It is based on the third-generation TT with revised styling and more angular lines, as well as a refreshed interior with new materials and Audi ’s latest technology. It uses a 2.0-liter four-pot rated at 310 horsepower and 280 pound-feet, and hits 60 mph in an impressive 4.9 seconds. Pricing starts from €52,750 (about $58,000), which makes it a bit more affordable than the Boxster, but significantly more expensive than we expect the Alpine convertible to be.
Read more about the Audi TTS Roadster here.
Conclusion
The Alpine convertible is nothing more than a rendering right now, but unlike other vehicles we’ve predicted, this is one is very likely to happen. Alpine needs more than just one car to survive, and a serious sports car, no matter the segment it competes in, needs a roofless sibling for enthusiasts who want to enjoy the benefits of infinite headroom. The Cayman has the Boxster, the 4C is available as a convertible, and even Lotus , a company that doesn’t care much about mainstream marketing, offers both coupes and drop-tops. Sure, you may argue that the original A110 was a berlinette only, but the new Alpine is supposed to be an evolution of the original design, and modern times require diversity beyond a couple of engine choices and five exterior colors. Whatever its official name will be, the Alpine convertible could be a crucial car for the French firm (and even for Renault).