Alpine’s Porsche Cayman Rival May Keep Gas Alive For America

Eyeing the American Dream

Alpine, the performance brand under Renault Group, has expressed interest in entering the U.S. market. However, that is easier said than done, especially given the differences in demand between American buyers and those in its home market of France. Still, the automaker is considering tweaking its plans for the next-generation A110 to better suit U.S. demand, primarily by offering a combustion-engine powertrain alongside the originally planned electric version.

According to PistonHeads, Alpine expects to complete the current A110 development program by October 2026, by which point it should know how much a gas-powered version would cost to develop. The automaker plans to make a decision by the end of Q4 2026, and if approved, the non-EV version would take about two years to reach production. This is possible because the brand’s APP platform can be adapted to accommodate both ICE and EV powertrains.

A Lifeline for Gas

For the uninitiated, a combustion version of the A110 is being considered largely because an EV-only model is not expected to cut it in the U.S. Policy changes, such as the expiration of the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500, have added pressure to EV demand, giving hybrids more of the spotlight.

That is a different reality in France, where heavy taxation on ICE cars makes a gas-powered A110 a complicated business case. The combustion power unit has not yet been decided, though the report noted that the outgoing 1.8-liter turbocharged engine is not expected to return because making it compliant with Euro 7 emissions standards would be too expensive.

Instead, the upcoming next-gen model is expected to use an 800-volt cell-to-pack battery, torque vectoring, and a twin-motor rear-axle setup. Going electric threatens to undermine the nameplate’s core lightweight character, but the company says performance will remain a priority, even using the Ferrari 488 GTB as a benchmark.

The Long Road West

If anything, recent developments show Alpine’s seriousness about making a name for itself in the U.S., even if the odds appear stacked against it under current market conditions. While the A110 may serve as the main model introducing the brand to American buyers, the French marque is also considering a larger SUV that could support sales and profitability, especially amid the American tariff burden on imported vehicles.

For reference, the A110 competes against the likes of the Porsche 718 Cayman and the Lotus Emira.

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