Renault to Unveil New Performance Models Within the Next Year
Renault is set to make a comeback in the performance car segment with the unveiling of new models in the near future, as confirmed by the company’s CEO. The last dedicated sporting model from Renault was the fourth-generation Mégane RS, which ceased production in 2023 with the powerful 296bhp Ultime variant.
In recent years, Renault has been experimenting with sportier models, showcasing the limited edition £140,000 5 Turbo 3E hyper hatch that boasts an impressive 533bhp. This model served as a demonstration of Renault’s capabilities in producing high-performance electric vehicles.
CEO Fabrice Cambolive expressed the brand’s intention to introduce more volume-focused and affordable sporting models in the coming months. He stated, “Yes, we are exploring some others. We will come to you with some proposals in the next 12 months.” However, the viability of these models will depend on finding the right balance between cost and demand.
While a hot version of the new sixth-generation Renault Clio is not currently in the works due to the investment required and anticipated demand, Renault may potentially revive the Renaultsport moniker for its new proposals. Alternatively, the company could choose to continue using the Alpine brand exclusively for dedicated sports cars.
Former CEO Luca de Meo previously hinted at a potential revival of Renaultsport, emphasizing that while Alpine would be the primary focus for sports cars, there was still room for Renaultsport to make a comeback. He explained, “If you want to do something authentic, you gotta respect the history of the thing.”
