Renault has made a complete acquisition of Alpine after purchasing the shareholdings of Caterham Group in Societes des Automobiles Alpine Caterham.

As a result, the Caterham name has been dropped in favor of the new company name Societe des Automobiles Alpine; to be implemented as part of a general meeting this month.

The acquisition also ends a partnership signed in November 2012 between Renault and Caterham for the joint development and manufacture of sports cars brought about by their 50/50 ownership in Societe des Automobiles Alpine Caterham.

The 21st century Alpine Berlinette sports car is set for debut in 2016, it will be independently developed by Renault.

Renault said that a number of buyers immediately contacted the firm to reserve a car even though they had no other information aside from the planned launch.

The Dieppe plant will be building the chassis and bodywork of the future Alpine. The automaker says they are committed to produce Alpine vehicles by 2016 under the management of Bernard Ollivier.

Alpine returned to motorsport in 2013 after nearly 35 years of absence in the European Le Mans Series with the A450 LMP2 car.

Caterham Group has revealed plans to continue with its own sports car.