Ampere’s Cléon plant in Normandy, France, has produced its one-millionth electric motor since 2015 and introduced the 7DL twin motor for the Alpine A390, a five-seat electric sport fastback scheduled for release in late 2025. The milestone highlights the facility’s role in Renault Group’s push for high-performance electric vehicle (EV) technology.
The 7DL twin motor, a 250 kW dual-motor system, powers an all-wheel-drive setup with torque vectoring, enabling the Alpine A390 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The motor complements the 6AM 160 kW front motor and is part of Alpine’s second fully electric model in its Dream Garage lineup. Cléon’s production process incorporates rigorous testing for vibration, acoustics, and durability, supported by digital traceability and camera-controlled operations.
Since 2017, the Cléon plant has integrated Industry 4.0 practices, leveraging artificial intelligence to monitor production and ensure quality.
The plant has deployed a three-year roadmap including 45 digital solutions to enhance its industrial metaverse, while also expanding its power electronics capabilities to improve EV performance and efficiency. A new training campus, Reknow University, is providing staff with skills for advanced motor and electronics production.
Cléon employs 3,146 workers, including 165 apprentices, and is expanding beyond traditional manufacturing to include aluminum foundry operations and flexible production lines for vehicle components. The facility has produced over 101 million engines and gearboxes since 1958, with 1.3 million mechanical components expected in 2024, reflecting its continued adaptability to EV and hybrid technology demands.