To commemorate its founding year, just 1,955 examples of the Alpine A1150 Premiere Edition will be built, and they were all sold out within just five days. Alpine has made this announcement just as production is about to get underway for its reborn lightweight, mid-engined, two-seat sports car. The A110 is the first production car for Alpine in two decades, so this is essentially a re-launch of the brand owned by Groupe Renault.

Powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder with about 250 hp, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, power goes directly to the rear wheels. Alpine claims the A110 occupies its own niche within the sports car segment, but we think its closest rival is the Alfa Romeo 4C, also a feather light two-seater. Speaking of weight, the Alpine A110 tips the scales at just 2,380 lbs. The Premiere Edition carries a price tag of 58,500 Euros, so it's safe to assume the regular version will cost slightly less. Once Premiere Edition production has been completed, regular series output will begin. And no, US sales are not planned, and likely never will be.

The A110 was designed and engineered for overseas markets, and we highly doubt Renault would bring a standalone brand to the US when it doesn't even sell its own cars there. But we do have some hope for that mid-engined platform. Perhaps it could be adapted to, say, underpin a new Nissan Z car? After all, Renault-Nissan (and now Mitsubishi) is one company.