Renault Sport officially becomes Alpine Cars

One of the more famous names in performance cars has been axed, with Renault Sport officially becoming Alpine as of this month.

The move means hotted up Renaults such as the Clio RS and Megane RS will wear Alpine badges in the future, though there’s no word on whether current models will become the Clio Alpine or Megane Alpine.

It comes as Renault creates its Alpine Business Unit first announced in January, which combines its long-running performance sub-brand Alpine, Renault Sport and Renault’s motorsport division under the one umbrella.

It’s seen its Formula One team change from Renault to Alpine this season.

Things will remain the same operationally for the timebeing, with the hundreds-storng Renault Sport team remaining at its Les Ulis headquarters near Paris.

But bigger changes are planned, with Alpine to create 100 per cent electric vehicles moving forward including a new sports car developed in partnership with Lotus.

Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi said consolidating Renault’s performance operations under one name makes sense.

“As part of the reorganization of the Renault Group by brand, it is essential that the various entities that make up the Business Unit bear the Alpine name and embody the values and ambitions of the brand,” he said.

“Alpine aims to be a premium sports brand at the forefront of innovation and technology. Alpine Cars with its expertise and experience in sports vehicles is a master card in achieving our goals.”