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The latest A110 is an automotive marvel that Alpine has produced in collaboration with Renault. Alpine first launched the A110 in 1963, which was an updated version of its predecessor named A106. The production of this model went on till the year 1971. In 2017, four decades, later Alpine decided to bring back one of their most successful sports cars again in the market.
The original A110 was designed to participate in racing events. And boy, the car performed wonders in every event!
The engine that was taken from Renault could produce horsepower in the range of 98 to 138 HP. With this output, A110 won the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally. In 1973 Alpine A110 again dominated the Monte Carlo Rally by securing the first three positions in the event. This model also won the inaugural World Rally Championship in the same year.
From the success of the 1963 Alpine model, you can understand why the company decided to revive this vehicle. From its first appearance in 2017, the underdog sports car has managed to build itself a really good reputation; it’s been compared with other German automotive ‘big guns’ like Porche Cayman and Alfa Romeo 4C.
Let us understand what makes the updated version of A110 stand out in the market.
The New Alpine A110: Same Old Design But Better
The new version of A110 has the same design as its original version. But this time, the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle is improved. In terms of weight, it is far lighter than its parent car. The Alpine A110 is practically lighter than air. It weighs around 2,380 lbs, which is 25% less than its competitors Porsche and Audi. But how did Alpine and Renault manage to pull off this magic?
The engineering team of Alpine was willing to go the extra mile to revive the better version of A110. The secret of making things lighter was to use aluminum wherever possible. They made the chassis out of aluminum and made some clever choices to cut unnecessary weight.
The team decided not to provide a brake caliper for the electric parking brake (EPB). Instead, they combined it with the primary break. This process alone cut down 5.5 lbs. Several more clever decisions like these have helped them make this car lighter.
If we talk about looks, the car is a beauty in every way imaginable. The design which Alpine came up with during the 1960s was stylish and timeless. You just can’t get enough of its looks.
Alpine A110 Has A Modest Yet Powerful Engine
The Renault Alpine has a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that can produce a power of 252 BHP and a torque of 236 lb-ft. There are also several other models of A110 that produce power in the range of 252 to 292 BHP.
All Alpine A110 models can reach from 0 to 62 MPH in just a little more than 4 seconds and have a top speed of 155 MPH. The engine is attached to the rear side of the vehicle that drives the rear wheels with the assistance of a seven-speed Getrag double-clutch gearbox.
The seven-speed Getrag double-clutch gearbox is probably one of the heaviest machinery in the A110.
A110 Delivers The Best Driving Experience
The driving experience delivered by the Alpine A110 is very smooth. You might feel like you are flying it. This is possible because of the weight distribution (Front 44:56 Rear) of the vehicle. For gaining the ultimate driving experience, you would have to drive the vehicle on its full acceleration.
An electrically assisted steering wheel is installed for better handling. The steering wheel is very light and can be very handy on curvy roads. Secondary motion is perfectly monitored by the dampers. With the appropriate positioning of the seat, the driver can easily read the speed gauges.
The Alpine A110 is the epitome of the best driving experience.
Final Notes On The Alpine A110
The Alpine A110 is small from the inside. But Michael van der Sande, Managing Director of the company who is about six foot six, made sure that there is enough headspace for tall guys like him. Also, the interior design of the A110 is very visually appealing.
You can see that the A110 infotainment system is similar to the Suzuki Jimny. The graphics of this infotainment system are a little bit of a disappointment. Another drawback of the car vehicle, one could say, is the low rear visibility.
But the car redeems itself with its good driving position and brilliant handling. The fixed seat belts enhance the interior design of the car.
Overall we can easily say that the Alpine A110 is C'est Magnifique!
You buy this car in the range of $12,000 to almost $75,000 depending on its model. If you are into fast, lightweight vehicles, then the Alpine A110 is worth it!