Alpine Vision Concept looks ready to battle Porsche, Lotus (pictures)

Expect very compact dimensions and a focus on light weight in the production Alpine.

The Alpine Vision Concept is said to be 80 percent representative of a production model due next year.

The Vision Concept's nod to the storied A110 sports car is obvious.

The Vision Concept is mid-engined, unlike all other Alpines before it, which were rear-engined like the Porsche 911.

The split-light front-end design is this concept's clearest visual link to the A110.

The Vision Concept's rear three-quarter view is very attractive, with a powerful stance.

Those wide fender flares add visual aggression and promise planted handling.

It's no surprise the Alpine Vision Concept is being shown in these hues -- they're a riff on French racing colors.

Back to front, this Vision Concept is unexpectedly handsome and modern.

A unique open-wheel design shows off seriously large brake hardware.

Think parent company Renault doesn't have renewed motorsports ambitions for its Alpine brand?

Simple controls and a large TFT display dominate the driver-focused cockpit.

No manual transmission here, this is a paddle-shift unit.

Good visibility is important in sports cars, if often hard to come by. This concept looks better than most.

Supportive-looking seats and racing harnesses telegraph intent.

Alpine built its legend on mountain corners like this.

There's a bit of Audi in the concept's rear lighting, but that's no bad thing, is it?

The future looks brighter for the Alpine brand than it has in years.