1954–1999
History
From Alpine to Spider
The Spider Renault Sport is no accident. It is the heir to a lineage of extraordinary machines born in Dieppe, shaped by a shared spirit of performance and passion.
“Alpine yesterday, Alpine-Renault then, Renault Sport today. There is a lineage, there are victories, there is a spirit. The Spider is its guardian.”
The lineage
From Alpine
to Spider
Birth of the Alpine myth
Jean Rédélé creates his first car, the Alpine A106, in Dieppe. What begins as a passion project will go on to shape one of the most evocative names in French motorsport.
The Berlinette A110
The legendary A110 Berlinette is born. Evolution after evolution, it conquers the podiums of the greatest international rallies, and its silhouette becomes iconic.
Alpine A110
Renault takes Alpine under its wing
Renault acquires the Dieppe marque. The same year, Alpine-Renault wins the World Rally Championship — a crowning achievement that cements the Dieppe spirit at the heart of Renault Sport.
Victory at Le Mans
The Alpine-Renault A442 wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Alpine has competed in every discipline — rally, circuits, Formula 3, Formula 2, and even Formula 1.
Alpine-Renault A442B — 24h du Mans 1978
Birth of an idea
Renault wants to create a fun car aimed at motorsport promotion. The project evolves rapidly: rather than a pure competition vehicle, Renault decides to develop a road-legal car. A major technical definition meeting is held at the end of the year.
Project W94 — First prototype
The first steel prototype runs for the first time on Whit Friday 1994. In September, a second prototype is presented to CEO Louis Schweitzer and the executive committee. The project is approved and receives the code name W94.
Prototype W94 — front 3/4
Prototype W94 — rear 3/4
Geneva Motor Show — Industrial launch
The Spider is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1995, even before production is complete. The industrial phase begins at the Alpine plant in Dieppe in July 1995. The first production car rolls off the line in December.
Renault Spider — Geneva Motor Show 1995
End of production
After 1,726 units produced over four years, production of the Spider comes to an end. The car enters legend — a radical, handcrafted machine that remains unlike anything else on the road.