At 4.85m long, the concept is roughly the same size as a Grand Espace and features rear-hinged doors and full-LED lights along with the use of the letter “I” for Initiale Paris for the vehicle sides and wheels. The car is expected to go on sale in a toned-down production version in 2014. 

Speaking to news agency Headlineauto product planning chief Phillipe Klein revealed that the Initiale model will be used as the basis for a premium specification that will spread to other models starting with the Clio.

He added that it will definitely not become a sub-brand.

‘There is no intention to do that,’ he said. ‘What we are doing is reviving a name Renault has used before, a signature within our brand which we will utilise for our top-of-the-range vehicles.’ 

Mr Klein also said that the new Alpine will be launched in 2016. He added: ‘While most people still remember the A310 we are looking to revive the spirit of the original A110 but it will not have a retro look. We are now well into the development stage and there is a lot of anticipation in markets around Europe as well as in places such as Japan, South America and Mexico.’