lundi 5 novembre 2012
Renault and Caterham Group announce a partnership to design and build sports vehicles
- Renault and Caterham Group today announced their decision to join forces in pursuit of a common project: to design develop and build future sports vehicles. This agreement reflects a similar passion and expertise in sports and motorsports vehicles.
- The future vehicles will be distinctive, differentiated, and carry the respective DNA of Alpine and Caterham Cars, the automotive division of Caterham Group. They will be built at the Alpine plant in Dieppe, Normandy, in France.
- The Caterham Group will own 50% stake in the Automobiles Alpine Renault company, currently 100 % held by Renault SAS. The Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham, which will be resulting from this partnership, shall be created in January 2013. It will be managed by Bernard Ollivier
- This project, which ensures the Dieppe Plant a sustainable future, was made possible thanks to the incentive and to the substantial support and commitment provided by the French State and the Région Haute Normandie which also involved the contribution of Dieppe Maritime.
- The future vehicles will be distinctive, differentiated, and carry the respective DNA of Alpine and Caterham Cars, the automotive division of Caterham Group. They will be built at the Alpine plant in Dieppe, Normandy, in France.
- The Caterham Group will own 50% stake in the Automobiles Alpine Renault company, currently 100 % held by Renault SAS. The Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham, which will be resulting from this partnership, shall be created in January 2013. It will be managed by Bernard Ollivier
- This project, which ensures the Dieppe Plant a sustainable future, was made possible thanks to the incentive and to the substantial support and commitment provided by the French State and the Région Haute Normandie which also involved the contribution of Dieppe Maritime.
Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault: "This innovative partnership with Caterham embodies a longstanding ambition: the creation of a sports car with the Alpine DNA. It carries both opportunities for the Dieppe plant and the development of its historic know-how."
Tony Fernandes, Caterham Group Chairman: "I have not felt as excited about a new venture since I launched AirAsia in 2001 and I want to thank Carlos Ghosn and Carlos Tavares and everyone in our new Renault family for having the belief in Caterham Group to create this partnership. Many people doubted us 11 years ago when we launched our airline and I am sure that there will be doubters again this time, but we will not fail your trust. We know the markets we are going into and, particularly in my playground in Asia, there is a huge opportunity to replicate the AirAsia model and give consumers access to exciting, affordable products that marry our interests in F1 and technology and help make their dreams come true."
Carlos Tavares, COO of Renault: "Our ambitions of reviving Alpine depended on our ability to find a partner in order to ensure the economic profitability of such an adventure. Right from the start, we wanted to place the Dieppe plant at the heart of the project. Today, through our partnership with Caterham Group, we can enter a new phase: the design of a vehicle that will embody the very essence of Alpine, a vehicle that will rekindle sporting passion once more. It could become a reality within the next three or four years."
Kamarudin Meranun, Caterham Group Deputy Chairman: "Formula 1 was always our entry point into the car business. Our original plans to develop a partnership with Lotus were put aside in spectacular and well documented style, but now we have a far better chance to develop Caterham Cars in partnership with Renault, working with Caterham Technology who are also integrally involved in this new venture. Our F1 team has already been working successfully with Renault Sport F1 since the start of the 2011 F1 season and I am thrilled that now we are adding to our track partnership by joining forces with Renault on the road. Together with Renault we have now created an opportunity for Caterham Cars to grow into the next stage of its development from a very well respected niche brand into a serious player on the global motoring map."
Bernard Ollivier, CEO of Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham: "I'm very proud of the trust placed in me by both shareholders. The road map for each car is clear and simple: respect the DNA of both Alpine and Caterham Cars. With the passion and expertise of the staff dedicated to this project, we are sure of meeting this aim."
Development ambitions targeting the sports vehicle market
Following a feasibility study on the joint development of a sports car conducted by Renault Sport Technologies and Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI - the engineering and technology business of Caterham Group), Renault and Caterham Group will combine their skills to build models in large and small series, in order to widen their positioning on the sports vehicle market. The objective for each company is to launch its own vehicle in this market within the next three to four years.
An innovative and complementary partnership as part of a joint company
- Renault and Caterham Group will each bring their respective technical skills to the development of the future products through a newly-created joint Engineering Department. They will split the required engineering and industrial investments on a 50-50 basis in the spirit of a true partnership.
- Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham will be able to draw upon the expertise of Renault, Renault Sport Technologies and CTI in the development of its future products.
- Renault and Caterham Group will each bring their respective technical skills to the development of the future products through a newly-created joint Engineering Department. They will split the required engineering and industrial investments on a 50-50 basis in the spirit of a true partnership.
- Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham will be able to draw upon the expertise of Renault, Renault Sport Technologies and CTI in the development of its future products.
Shared values based on a passion for motorsports
Alpine: Jean Rédélé, pilot, businessman and automotive pioneer, founded Alpine in 1955. Alpine's manufacturing and racing adventure started with the A106 coach based on the platform and engine of the Renault 4 CV. The Alpine DNA is based on nimble, lightweight, high-performance vehicles with flowing lines: a formula that works well for both road and racing cars. The ever-young A110 - celebrating its 50th birthday - is probably the most iconic of Alpine's road cars. During its existence, Alpine sold 30,000 road sports cars. For several decades, it also carried high Renault's sporting colours. Among other victories, Alpine was World rally champion in 1973, winner of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1973 and 1974 and of the Le Mans 24-hour event in 1978. Its sporting record includes many prestigious victories. Alpine ranks among the sporting legends.
Caterham Cars: The DNA that runs through every Caterham can be traced back to the 1950s, when its first vehicle, the Seven, was designed. Caterham Cars has inspired passion and emotion ever since. It embodies the essence of what a sports car should be. Today, that philosophy continues to guide Caterham Cars, making 'accessible fun' a reality for sports car buyers across the globe.
Every weekend, over a thousand competitors race Caterham vehicles on tracks around the world, from Silverstone and Brands Hatch to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. Today, building on its racing heritage and 40 years of experience in road cars, Caterham Cars is able to combine its engineering excellence with the manufacturing and production capabilities of Renault to create a Caterham vehicle of even greater potential. This new vehicle will still possess the fundamental DNA of the Seven, which remains in production in Dartford, UK.
Every weekend, over a thousand competitors race Caterham vehicles on tracks around the world, from Silverstone and Brands Hatch to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. Today, building on its racing heritage and 40 years of experience in road cars, Caterham Cars is able to combine its engineering excellence with the manufacturing and production capabilities of Renault to create a Caterham vehicle of even greater potential. This new vehicle will still possess the fundamental DNA of the Seven, which remains in production in Dartford, UK.
At the heart of the project: the Alpine plant in Dieppe, France
The Dieppe plant will play a central role in the partnership between Renault and Caterham Group, at the heart of the sporting passion shared by the two partners. This is where the future sports vehicles of Renault and Caterham will be built. The project is a development opportunity for the Dieppe site, from the standpoint not only of production, but also the acquisition of a prized and unique expertise. The Alpine plant in Dieppe is currently dedicated to building the vehicles developed by Renault Sport Technologies, both production (Clio R.S.) and racing models.
The Dieppe plant will play a central role in the partnership between Renault and Caterham Group, at the heart of the sporting passion shared by the two partners. This is where the future sports vehicles of Renault and Caterham will be built. The project is a development opportunity for the Dieppe site, from the standpoint not only of production, but also the acquisition of a prized and unique expertise. The Alpine plant in Dieppe is currently dedicated to building the vehicles developed by Renault Sport Technologies, both production (Clio R.S.) and racing models.
The Dieppe plant, built in 1969, is the historical home of the Alpine brand which gave birth to such legendary models as the Berlinette. Its core business is the assembly of sport vehicles, the assembly and sale of motorsports cars, and the sale of spare parts for motorsports vehicles, including at sports events. Its flexibility and ability to adapt are just two of the specific characteristics that enable it to produce vehicles in small runs. With a workforce of over 300 and a surface area of 76,000 m² of which 36,900 m² is built up, the plant has produced more than 400 000 vehicles since 1969.
For more information, see futurecaterham.com
OLDIES BUT GOODIES Le business du vintage : Renault relance son Alpine
AUTOMOBILE - Un autre constructeur français a succombé à la tentation de faire du neuf avec du vieux, en ressuscitant un modèle de son panthéon. Cette fois il s'agit de Renault, qui a annoncé lundi 5 novembre la renaissance de son modèle sportif Alpine. La célèbre "berlinette", connue pour ses exploits dans les rallyes des années 1970, devrait être disponible d'ici quatre ans, a indiqué le PDG de la marque au losange, Carlos Ghosn.
Mais Renault n'est pas le premier à s'engouffrer dans cette vague du néo-rétro. Avant lui, Citroën en France avec la ligne DS, mais aussi Ford, Volskwagen, Mini ou Fiat s'étaient emparés de ce marché très florissant.
"Le phénomène a fait son apparition en 1994, avec la sortie de la Ford Mustang SN95", indique au HuffPost Bertrand Rakoto, consultant automobile chez RL Polk. "Les lignes de la carrosserie reprenaient déjà quelques éléments des premiers modèles des années 1960", rappelle-t-il.
"Un ancrage fort dans l'inconscient collectif"
D'autres constructeurs ont ensuite repris le flambeau à la fin des années 1990, comme l'Allemand Volkswagen et sa New Beetle, qui s'inspire fortement de la Coccinelle. Vient aussi Chrysler et son PT Cruiser, qui reprend des éléments des anciens modèles de la marque, tout en concevant un nouveau véhicule.
"Le point commun de toutes ces voitures se cristallise autour d'un ancrage fort dans l'inconscient collectif", note Bertrand Rakoto. Qui n'a pas en tête la série de films sur la Coccinelle, débutée en 1968 par Un amour de Coccinelle et popularisée par Walt Disney ? La Ford Mustang a de son côté gagné ses lettres de noblesse en apparaissant aux côtés de Steve McQueen dans le mythique Bullitt (1968).
"On a eu l'habitude de revoir régulièrement ces véhicules, ce qui les a donc empêchés de disparaître", précise le spécialiste. "Si ça avait été le cas, les marques n'auraient eu aucun intérêt à les faire renaître". Il y a donc une notion d'image importante, en contribuant à rappeler le passé d'un constructeur.
Redonner un coup de fouet après des années d'errements
Et avoir recours à la renaissance d'un modèle peut également redorer l'image d'une marque qui se serait un peu perdue au fil des ans. C'est le cas de Fiat, qui par l'intermédiaire de sa 500 s'est donné un coup de fouet après des errements stylistiques(la Multipla notamment). "Dans certains cas, le niveau des ventes n'est pas l'argument principal", indique Bertrand Rakoto, "elle peut en revanche s'avérer très utile pour redonner des lettres de noblesse".
Dans la plupart des cas, cela se traduit tout de même lors du passage en caisse. Car le vintage a un prix. "Pour l'Alpine, Renault en profite pour proposer un modèle un peu plus haut de gamme que son segment habituel", explique Betrand Rakoto, qui note toutefois que les prétentions de prix ne sont pas aberrantes. En effet, Renault devrait proposer son Alpine entre 35.000 et 40.000 euros, "ce qui est bien moins qu'une Porsche", située sur le même segment des "berlinettes", a indiqué le constructeur.
Les modèles véhiculant cet esprit néo-rétro sont avant tout destinés à "des gens qui se font plaisir", analyse le cabinet RL Polk. "Mais même s'il faut investir une somme conséquente, de nombreuses catégories socio-professionnelles apparaissent dans le coeur de cible des constructeurs."
Et dans le plaisir, il y a aussi la personnalisation du modèle, poussé à son paroxysme chez ce type de voitures. Ça va de la couleur des rétroviseurs, aux stickers du toit, en passant par la forme des jantes... "Sur un modèle comme la Mini, on atteint rapidement les 10.000 euros déboursés dans des options supplémentaires", note Bertrand Rakoto. On comprend mieux le pari de Renault, qui pourrait également sortir une nouvelle version de sa célèbre R5...
Libellés :
Actualit,
Alpine,
Automobile,
Carlos Ghosn,
Citroën DS,
Économie,
Ford Mustang,
Mini,
Renault,
Renault Alpine,
VIDEO,
vintage,
Voiture
dimanche 4 novembre 2012
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Singapore...TOP!
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is an event for Cafe Racers, Bobber, Flat Tracker, Retro, Classic, Quirky Motorcycles and their owners. It is a worldwide event taking place on the same day in each respective time zone. It is a day where no matter what your work/social/life status may be everyone is equally distinguished. The link that brings the world together on this day are these two/three words ‘Distinguished’ & ‘Cafe Racers’.
On September 30th, distinguished gentlemen across the world gathered together to ride their motorcycles. 108 bike turned up for the Singapore’s ride.
gentlemansride.com
Organiser | Custom Burner customburner.com
Official Media | Plussixfive plussixfive.com
Official Media | Plussixfive plussixfive.com
Cinematographer | Juffrie
Cam Operators | Elliot Sng | Muhd Fadhli | Juffrie
Cam Assist | N.Ziqq
Producer | Paul Ong
Editor | Juffrie
Motion Graphic | Marcus Chong
Music | The Black Keys
Cam Operators | Elliot Sng | Muhd Fadhli | Juffrie
Cam Assist | N.Ziqq
Producer | Paul Ong
Editor | Juffrie
Motion Graphic | Marcus Chong
Music | The Black Keys
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