Renault and Caterham part ways over Alpine revival

Renault Alpine A110 rally car - the company still will revive the famous racing nameplate despite the end of its partnership with Caterham. Photo / Supplied

Renault is to part ways with British specialist sports car manufacturer Caterham, sources say, but the dissolution of their joint venture will not keep the French carmaker from reviving its Alpine brand.

The two teamed up in 2012 to revive the Alpine, whose model 110 dominated sports car rallies up to the 1970s before it was discontinued.

Employee representatives will be informed of the end of the joint venture on Wednesday, sources told AFP on Monday.

However "that doesn't change anything regarding the launch on the Alpine in 2016", said one source.

Renault will continue with plans to revive the Alpine brand on its own.

It had already planned to manufacture the new Alpine at its factory in the northwestern French city of Dieppe, which already produces the sport version of its Clio subcompact.

Renault declined to comment on the report, while Caterham could not be immediately reached.

Caterham specialises in producing lightweight sports cars and has a F1 team.

Caterham driver Kamui Kobayashi of Japan in his Renault powered Caterham F1 car. Photo / AP

-AAP