Thanks for the compliments, Andy!
BTW, as usual for me in the summer time, I've been away from the net for almost six weeks now, in case someone's been wondering if I'm maybe dead or something. Well, not yet!
(knock on wood...)
And to the question.
The reason why Renault don't use the names Gordini or Alpine for their sporty versions is probably manyfold. Here's what I think:
- Firstly, Renault chief executives like Schweitzer and le Quement have said that Renault want to look into the future, not the past. In other words, Renault want to profile as an
avant garde manufacturer who aren't interested in what's left behind, but what's waiting ahead to be invented. Relying on past glory doesn't fit into that formula.
- Secondly, it might be that it is too difficult and/or expensive to license those names. Monsieur Amédée Gordini has been dead for 23 years now, and it might be that his family isn't too keen to have his name used? On the other hand, one would more likely think that there's nothing better to honour the great "sorcerer's" memory than to keep his name alive (like Fiat are now reviving the legendary Abarth name). So maybe it isn't down to the family's reluctance, but Renault's? Who knows?
I'm not quite sure of this, but I remember hearing/reading somewhere back in 1995/1996, when Renault pulled the plug on the Alpine sports car branch, that they sold the rights to the Alpine name to someone (maybe the Japanese car hifi manufacturer?)
- Thirdly, it might be that Renault, being world leaders regarding car safety, don't want to be associated with the (admittedly) flimsy and potentially risky (in foolish hands) sporty versions of the '60s and '70s.
- Fourthly (and sadly), the modern young people wouldn't know what Gordini or Alpine stands for, especially people outside of France. Let's face it: The youngsters of the '60s who possibly followed the Gordini and Alpine success back then are becoming pensioners by now, and they're not the main target for sporty versions.
As a hardcore Renault fan I too would love to see especially the Gordini name return. But I'm afraid the corporate bean counters at Renault/Nissan would say 'no', even if there still was someone nostalgic enough at Renault toying with the idea.
But let's hope I'm wrong and that Renault would do the right thing!
