Renault Sport may be revived to bridge gap to Alpine – report

A few short years after Renault Sport was dropped, the moniker for Renault’s hot hatches could be reintroduced.

The French automaker dissolved the Renault Sport brand back in 2021 – despite continuing to sell vehicles under the RS banner into 2023 – with the resurrected Alpine marque becoming Renault’s dedicated performance department following the success of the A110 coupe it launched in 2017.

According to UK publication Car Magazine, executives at the car company are considering new sporty models which will sit either below or alongside those offered by Alpine.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.

While Renault Sport’s return has yet to be locked in, company CEO Fabrice Cambolive told the publication the manufacturer is “exploring some ideas” for sportier variants which would fill the gap between standard family cars and performance flagships offered by Alpine.

The RS name would likely be used in a similar way to Volkswagen’s GTI badge – used as a stepping stone to Volkswagen’s R models.

Renault raised eyebrows recently with the unveiling of the production version of the R5 Turbo 3E, given Alpine was said to be the company’s performance arm.

Designed as an homage to the original Renault 5 Turbo, just 1980 vehicles will be made – putting out more than 400kW at the rear wheels – with the performance hatch expected to wear a price of almost A$300,000.

“But, up to now, we have to find the right balance,” Mr Cambolive told Car Magazine.

“R5 Turbo 3E is an extreme case. [Renault] Group will come with some proposals, but in the next 12 months, we have some ideas.”

MORE: Explore the Renault showroom

MORE: Renault reopens orders for exclusive EV with eye-watering price