Renault Sport is officially no more

Brand websites and social media accounts for Renault Sport have closed as Alpine takes over as the sporting Renault brand

Renault Sport R.S. logo

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.”

https://twitter.com/RenaultSport/status/1471116835357704193

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

Renault Sport Clio 172

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

ALSO READ

Renault 5 to return… as an electric car!

Why the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS is 2022’s most-wanted sports car

Peugeot boosts e-208 driving range to 225 miles

Related Articles

Richard Aucock
Richard Aucockhttps://www.richardaucock.co.uk/
Richard is director at Motoring Research. He has been with us since 2001, and has been a motoring journalist even longer. He won the IMCO Motoring Writer of the Future Award in 1996 and the acclaimed Sir William Lyons Award in 1998. Both awards are run by the Guild of Motoring Writers and Richard is currently vice chair of the world's largest organisation for automotive media professionals. Richard is also a juror and Steering Committee director for World Car Awards and the UK juror for the AUTOBEST awards.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Mercedes-Benz has built the first fully electric Popemobile

A bespoke version of the Mercedes-Benz G580 EV, the brand new Popemobile has now been delivered to Pope Francis.

F1’s Valtteri Bottas tests new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar

The Formula One superstar took to Balocco Proving Ground to hone the exotic 33 Stradale's handling before the final sign-off.

New electric conversion kit turns classic Mazda MX-5 into an EV

Electrogenic has launched a new conversion kit to electrify the Mazda MX-5 roadster, offering more power and a modest 100kg weight increase.

New electric Ford Puma Gen-E prices start from under £30,000

Joining the Ford Puma lineup alongside hybrid petrol versions, the new electric Gen-E has a range of up to 233 miles when fully charged.