Renault Sport is officially no more as Alpine takes over as the sporting brand of the Groupe Renault.
Brand websites and social media accounts for the storied Renault Sport brand closed on 31 December and are now directing enthusiasts to Alpine accounts.
“It’s been a wild ride!” said Renault Sport in its final posts on Twitter and Instagram.
“From everyone at the Renault Sport team, thank you for following along with us on this adventure.”
The switch from Renault Sport to Alpine was announced in May 2021 as part of the Renaulution strategy.
The switch had already been made on the racetrack as the Renault Sport F1 team became Alpine F1 for 2021.
Renault’s move is similar to Seat’s decision to turn Cupra into a higher-end standalone brand for sporting cars.
Racetrack to road
The Renault Sport brand was originally created for the racetrack, with the famous turbocharged Renault F1 cars first racing in 1977.
The first Renault Sport road car didn’t arrive until 1995, with the launch of the Renault Sport Spider.
The Renault Sport Clio 172 (pictured above) arrived in 1998 and the Renault Sport brand prospered throughout the 2000s and 2010s with a series of highly-acclaimed models.
The rebirth of Alpine marked the end for Renault Sport, though. There isn’t even a sporty version of the latest Clio and the current Megane R.S. is on borrowed time as Renault prepares to launch an all-new, all-electric version in 2022.
The firm’s plan is to move away from higher-volume models and focus on more exclusive and profitable vehicles.
Notably, it describes the new Alpines as “sportscars” but does say it will use the “scale and capabilities” of Renault’s CMF-B (latest Clio) and CMF-EV (new Megane Electric) platforms.
“The new Alpine entity takes three brands with separate assets and areas of excellence to turn them into an empowered, fully-fledged business,” said MD Laurent Rossi earlier this year.
“We’ll be on the track and on the roads, authentic and high-tech, disruptive and passionate.”
Renault aims for Alpine to become profitable by 2025 – and this will include its F1 activities.
Expect to hear more from Alpine in the coming months… but for now, it’s officially adieu, Renault Sport.
What was your favourite Renault Sport? Let us know in the comments below
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