Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept Makes Asian Debut in Shanghai
Renault brought the Alpine A110-50 Concept to the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, showcasing the brand's heritage and future ambitions to the Chinese market.
Renault introduced its Alpine A110-50 Concept to Chinese audiences at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, marking the car’s first appearance in Asia after its European debut in 2012. The striking concept celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original A110, a car that made its name in the rally world during the early 1970s.
For Renault, the Shanghai show was an opportunity to gauge interest in Alpine’s revival beyond Europe. The A110-50 Concept is a modern interpretation of the classic Berlinette, finished in Alpine Blue and featuring signature hood-mounted fog lights, scissor doors and a prominent rear wing. Its carbon fibre bodywork and dramatic lines point to Renault’s ambitions for the Alpine brand, which had been dormant for decades.
Design and Engineering
The A110-50 Concept sits on 21-inch wheels and features large disc brakes: 356mm at the front and 330mm at the rear. The car weighs just 880kg, thanks to its extensive use of carbon fibre. Under the bonnet is a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 500hp and 422Nm of torque, paired with a sequential gearbox. These figures put the concept firmly in supercar territory, though Renault positioned it as a celebration of Alpine’s motorsport heritage rather than a direct production preview.
Styling cues such as the wavy rear wing and the pronounced side intakes connect the concept to the original A110 while updating it for a modern audience. The scissor doors and aggressive stance are clear signals that the A110-50 was designed to attract attention on the show stand and to demonstrate Renault’s design capabilities.
Alpine’s Future in China and Beyond
Renault’s decision to bring the Alpine A110-50 Concept to Shanghai highlighted the company’s global ambitions for the Alpine brand. While the concept itself was not intended for production, it laid the groundwork for a new generation of Alpine models. Renault later confirmed that the production Alpine would not be limited to Europe, signalling an intent to target markets such as China, where the brand’s sporting heritage and French design could appeal to a new audience. For further details on Alpine’s production plans, see Renault Alpine production model planned for global markets.
The A110-50’s appearance in Shanghai was a reminder of Renault’s rallying past and a statement of intent for Alpine’s future. The concept’s blend of lightweight engineering, motorsport-inspired design and advanced materials set the tone for what Renault hoped to achieve with the revived brand in the years that followed.
