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Lotus, Alpine and potentially other brands to share electric platform

Lotus could sell other automakers a version of the electric sports-car platform it is developing with Renault's Alpine brand.

The platform will be used to underpin an electric replacement for the A110 sports coupe in 2025 as part of a wider EV makeover for the brand. Renault will turn its Alpine sports-car unit into an all-electric brand and expand it with three new full-electric models, including the EV developed with Lotus Cars.

Lotus CEO Phil Popham said there would be "synergies" with Alpine in the timing of an upcoming Lotus. The platform will be adaptable enough to spin off different models, and will potentially be available for other automakers from Lotus Engineering, Popham said. “It is a sports car platform, developed with the attributes of a sports car, but the economies are not just about having an OEM as a partner, but also about having maximum flexibility to deliver potential multiple derivatives.”

Partnering with Alpine, a Lotus competitor, was done for financial reasons. "Any sports car has more challenges for a business proposition simply because of the low volumes of that segment. It makes sense to have an appropriate partner, and Alpine and Lotus are a natural fit."

The two companies build low-volume sports cars that appeal to enthusiasts more interested in the purity of the driving experience rather than outright power. Both put great emphasis on their cars' light weight as a key to excellent dynamics, and build their cars around a central 'tub' made from bonded aluminum to keep the weight down. The companies are not expected to switch to carbon fiber to offset the weight of the batteries, because they want to keep the purchase price as affordable as possible.

Renault's De Meo said the Alpine version should sell for close to the €58,000 ($70,000) starting price of the Alpine A110.

(From Automotive News Europe)

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