Alpine Celebration concept car revealed at Le Mans

The new concept model has been "specially prepared for Le Mans", with the new Alpine model due to make its motoring debut at the French circuit ahead of the 24-hour race this weekend.

Described as "the very embodiment of Alpine's sporting DNA", the Celebration concept is distinctly different to the previous Alpine A110-50 show car that debuted in 2012, and the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo that made its video game premiere earlier this year, despite bearing a similar colour scheme: deep blue with hints of orange. The funky crossed-out headlights hark back to days of old, where the lights were taped in that manner to hold them together in case the lenses broke.

This new show car is a compact two-seater with a sleek profile, strong body sculpture and a rear louvre below the back window. The car features a mid-rear engine layout, but no details of powertrain have been made public.

There are carbon highlights on the mirrors, spoiler, sills, diffuser and rear air intakes, and Alpine's arrowed 'A' can be seen on the air intake, sides, front wings and the roof.

According to Alpine, the wheel design "recalls a style that was popular on the A110 and A310 models during the 1970s".

Alpine, which is owned by Renault, is set to introduce a production sports car in the coming years. Previously we have reported that it will be sold here in 2016, though those plans are currently unclear.

Click the Photos tab above for more images of the Alpine Celebration.