The unnecessarily long striptease that is the unveiling of Renault’s Porsche 718 rival is nearly over. We already know the Alpine will have a gorgeous, slippery body unsullied by wings and aerofoils, and that said body and chassis will be made mostly from aluminium. We also know it will have around 250bhp from a turbo four, an 1,100kg kerbweight and a 0-62mph time of less than 4.5secs. But as of today, we know two more things.

First, what it looks like. Ahead of next week’s Geneva Motor Show, Renault has finally issued us with two images of the Alpine in what looks like production-ready guise. And what it looks like is rather gorgeous. Almost exactly like the concept that previewed it, in fact, making the Alpine an early contender for best-looking, somewhat attainable best-of-show.

Second, we’ve finally got confirmation that the mid-engined 4C rival will be called the Alpine A110. It’s an homage to the A110 Alpine launched in 1961 – the car that won the first ever World Rally Championship in 1973, and perhaps Alpine’s best-known car. The name reflects “the timeless principles of compact size, light weight and agility” that made the old car so successful, says Renault.

More specs will be released at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. In the meantime, answer us this: how good would this thing have to be to tempt you away from a Cayman or 4C?

One year after the presentation of the Alpine Vision show car, Alpine revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show its production car: the new A110.

Combining the timeless Alpine principles of light weight, agility and performance, this mid-engined two-seater sports coupe is true to the spirit of its predecessors and in particular the A110 ‘Berlinette’. The new car will be built in the Alpine factory in Dieppe and deliveries will start late 2017 in Continental Europe. Deliveries in the UK and Japan will start in 2018.

Alpine is back to claim its position in the sports car segment, with only one promise: driving pleasure.

A CAR DESIGNED FOR AGILITY

A compact and lightweight sports car

The A110’s aluminium platform and body are bonded, riveted and welded to provide an exceptionally rigid yet light structure.

The A110 is ultra-light at only 1080kg kerb weight (excluding options). Its compact size (4178mm long, 1798mm wide and 1252mm high), optimal weight distribution (44% front/ 56% rear) and low centre of gravity are all dedicated to agility – especially on the type of winding mountain road that made Alpine’s reputation back in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Alpine’s mass is also concentrated around the centre of the car, with the fuel tank behind the front axle and the engine in front of the rear axle, enabling the driver to feel at one with the car.

Excellent power-to-weight ratio

The A110 is equipped with a new 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Alpine’s engineers, together with Renault Sport, have customized this engine for Alpine, with specific air intake, turbocharger, exhaust system and engine tune. The engine has a maximum power output of 252hp and maximum torque of 320Nm. Combined with the low kerb weight of only 1080kg, the A110’s excellent power-to-weight ratio of 233hp:tonne enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in only 4.5 seconds.

The engine is mated to a Getrag 7-speed wet-clutch DCT gearbox, with gear ratios specifically developed for Alpine to ensure optimal performance at all times. Aided by intensive use of fluid dynamics simulation, the lightweight, single exit active sports exhaust system in the A110 has been developed for performance and sound quality.

The A110 has three driver modes (Normal, Sport, Track) in which the engine and gearbox settings, steering, ESC, exhaust note and driver display are adapted to suit the driving conditions (and the driver’s mood).

RACING-INSPIRED AERODYNAMICS

A flat floor worthy of a race car, tried and tested in the wind tunnel.

In search of a combination of sleek lines and excellent performance, Alpine’s engineers turned to the world of race cars and supercars to optimize the aerodynamics of the A110. With a completely flat floor and functional diffuser under the rear bumper, the A110 combines low drag with significant downforce.

This allows the A110 to reach an electronically limited 155mph top speed, while retaining a smooth ‘Alpine’ profile - without the need for a rear spoiler.

Air inlets in the front bumper create a curtain along the front wheel wells, improving air flow around the front wheels and hence reducing drag.

With a Cd value of only 0.32, the A110’s drag is among the lowest in the sports car segment.

A MODERN DESIGN, TRUE TO ITS HERITAGE

The A110 is highly modern yet immediately recognisable as an Alpine. It combines modern design language, materials and technologies with the efficiency of size, shape and profile that marked the original A110 Berlinette.

At the front, four independent full LED daytime running lights and the bonnet’s central ‘spine’ clearly show Alpine’s DNA.

The side profile shows the design’s efficiency – bodywork wrapped tightly around the technical parts to minimise footprint and maximize performance.

At the rear, ‘X’ shaped LED tail lights with dynamic turn indicators give the car a highly modern look, while the sloping, wrap-around rear screen reminds us of Alpine’s past models.

Inside the A110 minimalist, lightweight design merges with a welcoming, comfortable driving position. Top quality materials – smooth natural-grain leather, structural aluminium, carbon fibre – ensure a rewarding driver and passenger experience.

PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT – EVERY DAY

The light weight of the A110, combined with double wishbones front and rear, provide a rare combination – excellent handling and performance while at the same time offering great ride comfort and daily usability.

Access and egress are designed to be easy, even in everyday use. Driver and passenger space will accommodate all shapes and sizes.

In short, the A110 is as at home in everyday driving as it is on the track.

THE BEST COMPONENTS FROM THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS

In developing the A110, Alpine’s engineers and designers identified the best suppliers to ensure the best performance, fit & finish. Some examples:

Brembo developed the A110’s all-aluminium brake calipers. The rear brake system, specific to Alpine, features an integrated parking brake actuator, a world first, saving 2.5kg. Otto Fuchs provided the 18-inch lightweight forged aluminium wheels on the A110, saving additional weight and offering a beautiful ‘open’ look. Sabelt developed one-piece bucket seats that weigh just 13.1kgs each, with no compromise on comfort.

A110 PREMIERE EDITION SPECIFICATIONS

The Alpine A110 Première Edition is a numbered, limited edition production run of 1,955 cars. 1,955 refers to the year that Jean Rédélé launched Alpine.

The Première Edition is richly equipped including:

• Alpine Blue, Noir Profond (black) or Blanc Solaire (white) paint
• 18-inch Otto Fuchs forged aluminium wheels, with matt black diamond turned finish specific to Première Edition
  Three driver modes with ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ settings
• Performance braking system with dual-material brake discs with aluminium hub and rear calipers incorporating integrated parking brake
• Lightweight active sports exhaust
• Alpine-tuned Focal audio system
• Matte carbon fibre interior accents
• Brushed aluminium pedals
• Quilted smooth natural-grain leather Sabelt one-piece sports seats
• 'Tricolore’ blue, white and red badging inside and outside
• …and a numbered ‘Première Edition’ plaque on the centre console.

In 2018, after the production run of Première Edition is completed, several A110 trim levels will be available, supplemented by a wide range of personalisation options.

A110 PREMIERE EDITION PRICING

Alpine has set its tentative recommended retail price for the Première Edition at

58,500 Euros TTC (VAT included) in France
64,000 Swiss Francs (VAT included) in Switzerland.

Final prices will be confirmed at the start of formal orders in mid-2017.

A110 PREMIERE EDITION AVAILABILITY

Alpine opened reservations for its A110 Première Edition in December 2016 through the dedicated Alpine mobile App. All available left hand drive Première Edition cars were reserved in 5 days.

A small number of right hand drive cars remains for the United Kingdom market (deliveries will start in 2018), and reservations for the Japanese market will commence in the coming weeks.

The Alpine App remains open for reservations of the A110 production model that will be produced in 2018 after the deliveries of the A110 Première Edition are completed.

DESIGNED IN FRANCE, MADE IN FRANCE

The A110 has been designed and engineered in France, in Groupe Renault’s Technocentre in Guyancourt and in Renault Sport’s engineering centre in Les Ulis.

All A110s will be manufactured in the Alpine factory in Dieppe – its historical and spiritual home.

The Dieppe factory was built in 1969 by Jean Rédélé, and it was here that all generations of Alpines were built since then. Since Alpine production halted in the 1990s, The Dieppe factory has been building Renault Sport and other niche models from Groupe Renault such as the Clio V6, the Espace and currently the Clio R.S. Additionally, the Dieppe factory assembles many of Renault’s customer racing cars such as the Formula Renault 2.0.

Dieppe’s experienced specialist staff have all the expertise needed to build an excellent sports car. The factory is completing a multi-million Euro investment including a highly automated new body assembly facility dedicated to the A110’s all-aluminium platform and body.

A DEDICATED ALPINE DEALER NETWORK

Deliveries of the new Alpine A110 will commence late 2017 in the following countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Spain
• Switzerland

Deliveries in the United Kingdom and Japan (RHD) will commence in 2018.

A network of around 60 dedicated Alpine showrooms will open before A110 deliveries commence, managed by dealers selected from the best of Groupe Renault’s existing partners. Dedicated Alpine advisors will ensure that the Alpine customers will be served by people as knowledgeable and passionate about Alpine as they are themselves. The first Alpine showroom will open late March 2017 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris.

World Rally Champion in 1973, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 and World Champion in the LMP2 class in last season's FIA WEC, Alpine's success in motorsport has earned it a special place in the heart of racing fans. The Brand has also spawned interest and enthusiasm in many amateur drivers, keen to enjoy themselves behind the wheel of attractive, light and agile cars. It is very much in this spirit and in respecting this tradition that Alpine decided to create the A110 Cup, which will make its track debut in 2018.

To ensure this new adventure is a success, Alpine entrusted Signatech with the design, development, production and sales of the A110 Cup. The organisation headed by Philippe Sinault, which is responsible for operating the Alpine A470s in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), also has extensive experience in the development of customer racing products.

In conjunction with the engineers who devised the production car, Signatech designed the racing version with a primary target: provide the drivers with as much enjoyment as possible, whether they are beginners or experienced.

Armed with a precise chassis, a 270hp engine for a weight of 1,050kg (3.9kg/hp), uncompromising safety features and the kind of onboard electronics commonly seen an Endurance prototype, the Alpine A110 Cup promises to deliver impressive performance.

On sale at a price of €100,000 excl. tax (approx. £90,000), the Alpine A110 Cup will be taking part in a competition combining rigour and professionalism with a friendly, warm approach. Organised by Signatech over six rounds in 2018, the Alpine Europa Cup will visit six of the greatest racetracks in Europe. This FIA international series recalls the Europa Cup held between 1985 and 1988 with the Alpine GTA V6 Turbo.

Drivers keen to take part in the Alpine Europa Cup must express their interest soon since production will be limited to little more than twenty cars for the first season.

Bernard Ollivier, Alpine Deputy Managing Director: "The fact we have created the Alpine A110 Cup and a dedicated competition in which they will compete, the Alpine Europa Cup, is yet further evidence of our love of motor racing. We wanted the A110 Cup to be a genuine race car, a particularly refined machine equipped with high-end features geared towards performance. Alpine Europa Cup competitors will therefore be able to enjoy driving a very beautiful car, which will set new standards in terms of efficiency. The organisation of the competition will also meet Alpine's demanding requirements, featuring rigour and professionalism on the track, but a fun and friendly atmosphere in the paddock. The Alpine Europa Cup will equally be used as a means of reaching out to our community of fans throughout Europe."

Philippe Sinault, Managing Director of Signatech: "Here at Signatech, we are very proud to have been chosen to work on such a comprehensive project. From the design office to the assembly workshop, and including the team responsible for organising the Alpine Europa Cup, all of our expertise has been brought to bear in order to comply with the specifications set out by Alpine. The A110 Cup is an uncompromising car as regards its features, with a key objective: provide drivers with lots of enjoyment. This can be seen in many ways, whether you consider perceived quality, the quest for efficiency, ergonomics, etc. Before a field of twenty or so A110 Cups line up at the Circuit Paul Ricard, we still have a lot of work to do, with the development and then production of the cars. It's an exciting challenge, both for Signatech and for Alpine."

AN ACCOMPLISHED RACING CAR - THE QUEST FOR A PRECISE AND EFFICIENT CHASSIS
Built at Alpine's Dieppe plant, the Alpine A110 Cup's monocoque chassis has been modified to adapt the suspension geometry, reduce ride height (-40mm), provide mounting points for the roll cage and adapt the rigidity to racing requirements, especially as regards the level of grip procured by slick tyres. The design has also been managed as part of a partnership between Signatech and Renault Sport Racing, who provided their expertise and calculation facilities to the project.

In the engine compartment, these modifications resulted in the fitting of specific side members. Connected to the rear part of the roll cage, these magnificently-sculpted aluminium components, machined from a solid block of metal, enable the mounting point of the upper wishbones to be raised. The lower wishbones are attached to the two joint-welded half-subframes supporting the powertrain.

At the front, these modifications have resulted in the fitting of a joint-welded subframe and attachment plates for the upper wishbones.

Supplied by Öhlins, the four spring-shock absorbers are compression- and rebound-adjustable.

Like the production car, the Alpine A110 Cup comes fitted with Michelin tyres. Slick and treaded tyres are designed to provide the best compromise between performance and durability.

NO COMPROMISE ON SAFETY
Very careful attention has been paid to the active and passive safety features of the Alpine A110 Cup. In order to meet the challenge of integrating a roll cage on an aluminium chassis, the engineers and technicians came up with an ingenious technical solution. During assembly of the monocoque at the Dieppe plant, steel plates are built into the structure, fixed by gluing and then bolting, and protected by an e-coat. These plates are then used as mounting points for the steel tubes that ensure the safety of the driver.

Ready to race, the Alpine A110 Cup comes fitted with a set of premium safety features: specific Sabelt bucket seat with built-in head restraints, six-point HANS-compatible harness, automatic fire extinguisher, dry battery, master switch, etc.

Like the production Alpine A110, the braking system is supplied by Brembo. Machined from a single piece of magnesium, the state-of-the-art six-piston callipers hold imposing ventilated discs, 355mm in diameter at the front and 330mm at the rear. The Alpine A110 Cup is equipped with ABS and traction control systems, which may be adjusted or disabled.

SPECIALLY-DESIGNED GEARBOX AND PRODUCTION ENGINE
Under the bonnet, the Alpine A110 Cup is powered by the production car's 1.8-litre turbocharged direct injection engine. Fitted with an air filter and an exhaust specially designed for racing, the power of the Cup has been upped to 270hp (+18hp) with its torque maintained at 320Nm.

Electronic management is provided by a state-of-the-art Magneti-Marelli SRG 140 ECU, which also incorporates the engine and chassis data acquisition system.

The engine is coupled with a six-speed sequential gearbox, specifically developed as part of a partnership between Signatech and 3MO. It is equipped with a limited slip, self-locking differential.

WELCOME ON BOARD
The Alpine A110 Cup cabin has been devised to provide drivers with as much pleasure and comfort as possible. Securely settled in the Sabelt bucket seat with a built-in head restraint, the driver is faced with an XAP steering wheel, specifically developed for the Alpine A110 Cup and inspired by the one used on the Alpine A470.

Like every other component on the car, this steering wheel features a perceived quality scarcely found on similar race cars. It features paddle gearshift controls, a digital instrument panel and a variety of useful control switches (steering mapping, traction control and ABS, pit limiter, radio, drink feed, etc.)

The adjustable pedal box and steering column help adapt the driving position to suit all shapes and sizes of driver. The Alpine A110 Cup keeps the original air-conditioning system and allows for a second bucket seat to be fitted without modification for track experiences.

AN INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
After completing its first track outing, the Alpine A110 Cup will undergo a major testing and development programme. FIA WEC Alpine drivers Nicolas Lapierre and Nelson Panciatici will work on the majority of the sessions, testing the car's reliability and defining the basic set-up, which will then be communicated to all customers.

In order to obtain a product that is as versatile as possible, other drivers - both professionals and amateurs - will be asked to take part in testing on a wide variety of tracks: Jerez, Magny-Cours, Motorland Aragón, Valencia, Portimao, Navarra, etc. Signatech's target is to complete at least 7,500km of testing, the equivalent of three full seasons in the Alpine Europa Cup.

ALPINE EUROPA CUP - AN FIA INTERNATIONAL SERIES
In 2018, the Alpine A110 Cup will be exclusively marketed to customers entering the Alpine Europa Cup. This new competition will meet Alpine's demanding requirements and standards, with a professional, meticulous organisation on the track and a passionate, friendly atmosphere in the paddock.

Organised and promoted by Signatech, this FIA-approved international series will be contested over six meetings and twelve races. The season will kick off on 1-2 June at the Circuit Paul Ricard (France) before then continuing in Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Spain.

A range of products and services are included with driver registration: driver overalls, an allocation of Alpine clothing and tools, access to the Alpine Europa Cup hospitality facilities, communications, Signatech (chassis) and Oreca (engine) technical support, a mobile spare parts store at events, etc.

Each meeting will feature two free practice sessions, two qualifying sessions and two races, with a total track time of three hours. Two drivers may share driving duties for a single A110 Cup.

Three classifications will be drawn up: Overall, Junior (under 25 years old) and 'Gentlemen' drivers (over 45 years old). At the end of the season, the top drivers will share more than €160,000 (approx. £142,000) of prize money and prizes.

The Société des Automobiles Alpine SAS,[3] commonly known as Alpine (French pronunciation: ​[alpin(ə)]), is a French manufacturer of racing and sports cars established in 1955.

For: A genuinely different rival to the Cayman, and a fine advert for light weight
Against: Its approach may be too dedicated for some

TL;DR:
The Alpine A110 does things differently. Whether that makes it better or worse than a Porsche Cayman depends on your priorities and perspective. But fundamentally it’s a terrific car, a genuine exponent of light weight that makes you question the claims of almost every firm that says they build light cars.

It tackles difficult roads with unflappable poise and agility, it’s a non-threatening sports car that proves that you can reverse the trend towards bigger wheels, bigger brakes, more power and more weight and still have a capable and exciting sports car. There’s not much that flows across country with so little effort and so little energy expended.

Will it be a success? I sincerely hope so, but above that I hope it will be influential, will show other marques that nothing’s changed and weight saving still matters and can be achieved. As we embark on the era of electric cars with their heavy battery packs, that seems curiously important.

Alpine A110 sports car gets a posh, comfy version and a driver focused special

You should know the Alpine A110 by now. “A terrific car, a genuine exponent of light weight and something pleasingly different to drive,” said this very website when we drove it.

The good news is more versions are coming. And soon. Alpine will use next week’s Geneva motor show to display the A110 Pure and A110 Legende, two new trims to join the Premiere version that’s about to go on sale.

While the Premiere is a well-specced launch edition – and 58,500 euros, or around £50k – the Pure is a lighter, more driver-focused and likely far more accessible version of the A110. No prices or weights or suchlike, but we’d expect it to shave a few kilos and many euros from the Premiere.

The Legende adds more “refinement and sophistication”, with six-way adjustable leather Sabelt seats and gloss carbon interior trim. It would make sense for Alpine to soften off its suspension and add some extra sound deadening, too, though details are once again scant.

What Alpine has told us is that both cars retain the same 249bhp 1.8-litre turbo engine as the A110 Premiere, linked to the same seven-speed paddleshift gearbox. So the Pure and Legende should still be as addictively good to drive, only with different approaches. If those are as successfully applied as the variations between the McLaren 540C, 570S and 570GT, Alpine’s surely onto a good thing.

We’re desperate to know UK prices, though. None have yet been revealed. If the Pure can get somewhere near £40,000, then it stands a very good chance indeed of getting people away from Porsche Caymans. We’ll know more at Geneva, next week…

We always knew the Alpine A110 was an important car, bringing back one of the greatest names in the automotive world and also bringing back lightweight design to the new car market. What we didn’t know was if it was going to be good to drive.

As it turns out, yes, it is. YouTube’s good garage’d landowner Harry Metcalfe recently took one of the new sports cars out and found that, shit, this is actually great:

Most importantly, the car weighs significantly less than a new Porsche Cayman. A recent EVO Magazine test found the Alpine an amazing 782 pounds lighter than the Cayman it was also driving (2412 lbs vs 3194).

The Alpine also doesn’t suffer from the Cayman’s excessively long gearing that makes the Porsche objectively fast, but difficult to enjoy without getting seriously illegal on the road.

And the car rides well and handles well and even gets good fuel economy. Ugh. I was kind of hoping that the Alpine A110 would be bad and I wouldn’t have to dream about it every waking moment of every day until it’s legal to import 25 years from now.

With an intense sports car persona and assertive styling, the Alpine A110S joins the A110 Pure and A110 Légende in the Alpine model range. Assuming a position at the top of the line-up, the A110S is a lightweight coupe characterised by high engine power, a focused chassis setup and refined design elements.

The A110S has been engineered to deliver precise handling response and exacting high-speed stability. Sophisticated styling flourishes inside and out, as well the use of high-end materials such as carbon fibre and Dinamica upholstery, amplify the car's purposeful nature.

At its core a true Alpine, the A110S is a mid-engined, two-seat sports car that delivers 292Ps and weighs 1114kg. It is engaging to drive at all speeds while still being comfortable in everyday use. Approachable and undemanding to drive, the A110S is faithful to Alpine's underlying principles of lightweight engineering, compact dimensions and performance through agility.

Priced €66,500 before options, the Alpine A110S is available for booking immediately and the first cars will appear in showrooms in October 2019. Deliveries are due to begin before the end of the year.

Sébastien Erphelin, Alpine Managing Director comments: 'The A110S delivers an intense Alpine driving experience. From the very inception of the Alpine project it has been our intention to offer different versions of the A110 with handling and performance characteristics of their own. Like all versions of the A110, it is easy both to drive and live with day-to-day. The A110S is welcoming of all drivers regardless of their skill level, too.'

Following the success of the A110 Legende GT launched last year, Alpine has now introduced a reinterpreted model for 2021, with visual updates and the same powertrain as the A110S.

The mid-mounted turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which is hooked up to a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission, produces an identical 292 PS (288 HP / 215 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. The 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint is dealt with in 4.4 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The sports exhaust system and upgraded brakes are also shared with the A110S.

Two unique color combos are available for the 2021 A110 Legende GT. The first combines an Abyss Blue exterior paintwork with Amber Brown leather inside, and the other one is offered with Matte Mercury Silver on top of the black leather interior with grey stitching. The sports car sits on 18-inch diamond cut Grand Prix alloy wheels wrapped in 215/40 front and 245/40 rear tires, and gets pale gold Alpine monograms, vibrant gold brake calipers and translucent LED taillights.

Both versions feature bucket seats, Dinamica headliner, glossy carbon fiber elements with copper weave, aluminum footrest and a special plaque displaying the build number, as production is capped at 300 cars. Other highlights include the Focal premium audio system, reversing camera and parking sensors at both ends.

Like all A110 models, the 2021 Legende GT can be reserved using the dedicated Alpine app. Pricing in France starts at €71,600 (equal to $87,000), excluding tax, and in the United Kingdom it is offered from £61,655 ($87,152) OTR.

This much-awaited latest version rounds out the A110 range. Extreme, light, more streamlined, and more inspired by motor sports than ever - 'radical' is the only way of describing the car that now sits as the crowning jewel of the A110 line-up. The ultimate expression of lightness and performance, the Alpine A110 R was designed to be sensational on the racetrack yet still certified for the open road.

The first main difference with the A110 R is seen through the extensive work put in to reducing its overall weight down to as little as 1,082kg - 34kg less than the A110 S. Its aerodynamic performance has been enhanced for greater downforce and reduced drag. For the first time ever on the A110 range, some parts (e.g. the bonnet, rear window, and diffuser) have been redesigned specifically for the new model. The exclusive improvements made to the chassis, along with the 1.8L 300HP motor, and race-car interior, feed into the heightened radical feel that make the driving experience more intense than ever before.

Taking just 3.9 seconds to go from 0-100km/h, the All-new Alpine A110 R pushes the boundaries of sports cars. Building off the brand's commitment to motor sports, the design phase involved direct input from top-level experts and is more than ready to beat the clock when it takes to the racetrack. Made in France at the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé, this latest car marks the beginning of a new chapter for the brand's expertise in motor sports.

AERODYNAMICS INSPIRED BY MOTOR RACING

The Alpine A110 R is radical expression of sports car performance. At the heart of the car's genesis lies a quest for perfect aerodynamics built off an optimal balance between improved downforce and reduced drag.

Straight off the track

A number of features inspired by the world of motor racing have been directly added or adapted to the All-new Alpine A110 R in order to optimise handling at top speed. It benefits from the latest wind-tunnel technology and tools used in Formula 1. The new design work put into the rear swan-neck spoiler, flat undercarriage, and diffuser, in addition to the full-carbon fibre wheels, makes for greater stability around corners and at high speeds. The A110 R boasts greater back-end aerodynamic downforce than the A110 S Aero Kit, with an extra 29kg at top speed, thereby ensuring greater balance when taking fast corners. At the same time, drag has been reduced by 5% (track attitude) thereby extending the top speed to a record 285km/h.

TECHNICAL SPECS

• 1.8L 4-cylindre engine
• 300HP
• Weight/power ratio: 3.6kg/PS
• 0-100km/h: 3.9 seconds
• Max torque: 340Nm @ 2,400-6,000rpm
• Top speed: 285km/h
• Chassis: recalibrated anti-roll springs and bars, specific axle geometry, coil springs 10% stiffer, specific anti-cant bars, adjustable spring/shock absorber settings, ride height 10mm lower, further 10mm drop possible when on racetrack
• Kerb weight: 1,082kg
• Sport exhaust system
• Brembo® high-performance braking system, 320mm composite front and rear discs
• 100% carbon fibre 18" rims
• Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect semi-slick tyres (215/40 R18 at the front and 245/40 R18 at the rear).
• Single-shell carbon-fibre Sabelt® Track seats (up-down / front-back adjustable for driver) with black carbon fibre-microfibre blend upholstery with grey stitching

With the A110 San Remo 73 limited edition, Alpine celebrates the 50th anniversary of a historic moment for the brand in motorsport: victory in the Sanremo Rally and the manufacturer's title for Alpine in World Rally Championship. If the reference to the past is apparent and the tribute unambiguous, this numbered series of 200 units is above all modern and distinctive.

A MODERN REINTERPRETATION OF THE ALPINE LEGEND

Inspired by the iconic Alpine A110 that won the 1973 Sanremo Rally, this new limited edition features a modern and distinctive design, combined with the agility and performance of its chassis and 300bhp engine. The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 features a unique design combination both inside and out.

With its new bodywork in Original Caddy Blue colour, black painted roof arches and red carbon roof, the A110 San Remo 73 limited edition reinterprets the legendary livery of the historic 1973 Berlinette. Black and white graphics on the doors complement the 'San Remo 73' thematic signature on the bonnet, doors and rear bumper. 18" Grand Prix Brilliant Blanc wheels, Anthracite Brembo® brake callipers, black front light booms and Alpine Black emblems and monograms enhance the exterior package.

The interior features a microfibre cockpit with grey stitching, Sabelt® Racing one-piece bucket seats embroidered with a ' World Champion 73' theme and predisposed for a six-point racing harness. The Sport pedals, aluminium passenger footrest and Alpine floor mats complete the racy atmosphere. The door panels include two black and white theme stripes.

The exclusive Alpine A110 San Remo 73 is limited to 200 units worldwide and will feature a 'Limited Edition A110 San Remo 73' number plaque from 1 to 200. The limited edition will also feature a wealth of equipment, including a high-performance brake system, active sports exhaust, electric retractable door mirrors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear parking assistance, front parking assistance and a reversing camera, as well as a Focal Audio system and Alpine Telemetrics.

In France, it will be available to order through the Alpine network from Friday, 17 March 2023, priced at €89,000 VAT included.

SAN REMO 1973, THE CONSECRATION

The A110 San Remo 73 takes over from a legendary vehicle, which consecrated Alpine for the first time in the World Rally Championship.

In 1973, the Alpines dominated with four victories after nine rounds of the World Rally Championship. The Berlinettes were among the favourites in round 10 in Sanremo, which featured some of the same roads shared as the Monte Carlo Rally, making it a mix of surfaces favourable to the Berlinettes, not to mention their power/weight ratio advantage.

On the Italian roads, the n°1 Alpine completed the first leg with a more than five-minute lead thanks to a risky but successful tyre strategy. With a deficit of more than nine minutes to the leader at the start of the second leg, the n°5 Alpine set the best times, stage after stage, to finish 3rd overall behind the Fiat 124 and the n°1 Alpine, which won the Sanremo Rally by more than six minutes. Round ten sealed the manufacturer's world title for Alpine.

The iconic Blue, White, and Red livery with its black and white stripes won the world title. This scheme, now iconic, will be reinterpreted by Alpine in 2023 as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of this rally victory.

Designed to cope with the subtleties of the 19.93 km race to the clouds, the Alpine A110 Pikes Peak is a true masterpiece of aerodynamics and engine design to meet the challenge of Pikes Peak. Thanks to a close and fruitful collaboration among the Alpine design office teams led by Raphaël Linari (design manager) and those of Signatech led by Lionel Chevalier (technical director) and François Letort (project manager), the car, the most extreme A110 to date, has been converted into a formidable racing machine.

Among the most impressive features are the intensely pronounced splitters and deflectors on the ends of the spoiler, not to mention the imposing rear wing to generate downforce in the 156 corners of the course. The radical work done on the Alpine A110R also appears via the side skirts and diffuser of this one-off model, while an inlet appears on the roof to force air into the engine, resulting in nearly 500 horsepower. Specific work has also been done to reduce the car's weight to only 950 kilograms.

The Alpine designers have thus fully embraced their choice of extremes, demonstration and visual impact while maintaining some original proportions to ensure the car remains eligible for the Time Attack 1 category, which is depicted in the inclusion of a 'Le Mans-style' shark fin on the rear window that literally cut through the massive rear wing.

The lights have also received more aggressive treatment. Two exceedingly thin laser-cut bars replace the two circles at the front. Meanwhile, the light functions of the rear lights have been shifted into three vertical segments on the side rails and central ridge, as a nod to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while also reinforcing the perceived width of the car, highlighted by other details such as bespoke wheels.

With the A110 R Le Mans limited series, Alpine pays tribute to the world's most prestigious endurance race to mark its centenary. The brand has been involved in endurance racing since the 1960s, thanks to its founder Jean Rédélé, right up to the famous victory of the A442 in 1978. Alpine stepped up its endurance racing with Signatech in LMP2 and then LMP1 and is now looking to the future by taking on the new LMDh Hypercar category from 2024.

"Alpine will unveil the A110 R Le Mans in action on the 24 Hours of Le Mans track the day before the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans®, joined by 100 Alpine owners. Limited to 100 units, this iconic limited series follows in the legendary footsteps of the GTA Le Mans, combining sophisticated aerodynamics with an incredible power-to-weight ratio, as did the Alpine M63, the first Alpine to compete at Le Mans in 1963. The A110 R Le Mans is the most radical A110 celebrating the most radical competition," explains Emmanuel Al Nawakil, VP, Alpine Sales, Network and Launching.

Performance: a radical vision of racing born from competition

Based on the A110 R, it features all the carbon components on the roof, wheels and interior with monocoque Sabelt® Track bucket seats. It also incorporates a carbon wing evoking the endurance racing cars style and Alpine Elf Endurance Team's A480 design. Lightweight components, already used on the A110 R, contribute to its high level of performance with an acceleration time from 0 to 100kph of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 285 kph on track.

The Alpine A110 R Le Mans limited series comes with a Road & Track chock, an innovation patented by Alpine, which lowers and stiffens the car by 5% for even better stability on the track. This technical development, coupled with a specific suspension setting, enhances performance on the long Mulsanne straight and in the fast corners of the 24-Hours circuit.

Ultra-sporty design expressing boldness and aerodynamics on the 24 Heures du Mans Circuit®

The Alpine A110 R Le Mans is recognisable by its exclusive white and blue 24 Heures du Mans® livery. A thin double line of blue and white is applied to the front bonnet, roof and rear wing in a reference to racing, complemented by the blue fins. A blue piping strip distinguishes the carbon wheels, which are open at the rear for even greater braking endurance, whilst the shark fin on the carbon rear window is a reference to the A480 which competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans®.

This emblematic limited series receives the official 24 Hours of Le Mans® signature on the front spoilers, side sills and microfibre headrest pads of the Sabelt® Track bucket seats. In the ultimate nod to Le Mans, the layout of the 24 Hours circuit is subtly laser-engraved on the sun visor.

Lastly, the Alpine A110 R Le Mans bears a numbered plate from the Dieppe factory with the official 24 Hours of Le Mans® signature to mark the 100 examples of this iconic version of the A110 R.

Enjoy an exceptional Alpine experience with the A110 R Le Mans

Future A110 R Le Mans owners will join Alpine's 'Band of Racers'. They will have exclusive access to the Alpine Elf Endurance Team facilities in 2024 and an opportunity to take a lap of the track, in its complete specification, for an unforgettable experience in their A110 R Le Mans on the morning before the start of the race.

The Alpine A110 R Ultime, with its sharp chassis and engine boosted to 345 bhp in RON102 (192 hp/L), reaches maximum power at 6,000 rpm. Maximum 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) torque is available from 3,200 rpm, 80 Nm more than the standard A110 R Turini.

This 110-unit limited edition sports car has a Launch Control automated start function. Its power-to-weight ratio is 3.2 kg/hp, and it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in a scant 3.8 seconds.

The Ultime limited edition combines the best of Alpine's and Alpine Racing's technical expertise. It features a modified turbo (turbine and compressor), a new DW6 gearbox with improved torque capacity, an Akrapovic® titanium exhaust system, four Ohlins® adjustable dampers, a bespoke braking system with 330 mm AP Racing bi-material discs, high-performance brake pads, and new cooling ducts.

In addition, Alpine's aerodynamicists have increased the vehicle's downforce (+160 kg of additional downforce at Vmax compared to an A110 R Turini). This, combined with the increase in power and torque, improves the Alpine A110 R Ultime's handling on track, making it ultra-high-performance and ever more agile on corner entry, cornering, and acceleration.

Fitted with 18-inch forged wheels at the front and 19-inch at the rear, shod with Michelin PS2 CUP tyres, this new Alpine A110 R Ultime transmits its power directly to the road. The road holding work carried out had a clear objective: further improving the car's performance.

Thanks to a successful blend of agility and performance, the Alpine A110 R Ultime is a genuine road-legal circuit car.

French Savoir-Faire and ultra-customisation

The model's exclusivity is also reflected in its design, with a specific two-level personalisation catalogue: Atelier and Atelier Sur-Mesure. Thanks to a prestigious collaboration between Sabelt® and Poltrona Frau®, this limited edition's Atelier Alpine personalisation range offers unprecedented diversity, with new possibilities for combining exterior and interior finishes.

For its entry-level Atelier personalisation package there are 27 exterior colours and Alcantara® upholstery available in four colours: Grey, Red, Blue and Orange. This allows customers to choose the ambience that reflects their style. By customising numerous details, these colourful harmonies extend throughout the cabin. They can be seen in the steering wheel stitching, dashboard, door decorations, centre console and floor mats, all in harmony with the centre point of the steering wheel, the door strap and the Sabelt® seats.

For a complete premium experience, the Alpine A110 R Ultime also offers a dedicated personalisation catalogue and a Sur-Mesure programme as an option.

For its second level of personalisation, the Atelier Sur-Mesure offers an even more advanced and original experience, the result of a co-creation process between the Alpine, Poltrona Frau® and Sabelt® design teams, with a choice of 9 additional Alcantara® colours and, for the first time, leather in 10 colours. For customers seeking an extra touch of elegance through luxurious craftsmanship, Alpine and Poltrona Frau® have developed three finishing techniques: embroidery, embossing and leather braiding. With leather or microfibre from floor to ceiling, including the centre console, dashboard, steering wheel and door decorations, each customer has the opportunity to create a genuinely unique A110.

Externally, customers can now apply the colours of their choice to body components such as the carbon-fibre bonnet, upper air intakes, rear window, fin, spoiler, and various aerodynamic appendages.

With the choice of personalisation options, this limited edition allows for transitioning from elegance to ultimate personalisation while never sacrificing the sporting character of the A110 R Ultime.

Sculpted by the demands of aerodynamic efficiency, the Alpine A110 R Ultime boasts a more radical silhouette with winglets on the bodywork, a specific front bonnet, a rear ducktail and a double flaps spoiler, as well as different diameter wheels at the front and rear (18 and 19 inches respectively) and a lowered ride height.

As a highly exclusive limited edition, the Alpine A110 R Ultime offers a privileged customer experience with three possible levels of customisation: Atelier, Atelier Sur-Mesure and Atelier "On Demand".

Atelier

Exterior: Customers can choose from a range of 27 exterior body colours, whilst three finishes for the wheels are available: monochrome black, satin aluminium or diamond-cut, and seven colours for the brake callipers.

Interior: The interior design is the finished product of a collaboration with prestigious specialists Sabelt and Alcantara, with four upholstery colour options: grey, red, blue and orange.

Customers can choose matching colour details for the stitching and centre point of the steering wheel, the dashboard, the door trims, the centre console and even the floor mats, all in harmony with the door straps and Sabelt bucket seats.

Atelier Sur-Mesure

The level of customisation offered by Atelier Sur-Mesure is extremely extensive, as part of a co-creation process with the customer, starting with a completely black car: three very special hours of work in the company of the Color & Trim designers who directly worked on the A110 R Ultime project, to arrive at your dream definition. This work uses an powerful 3D configurator in almost real size and with physical samples of colours and materials. Lastly, the creation process concludes with a brochure featuring the final configuration chosen, delivered with a video detailing the car.

Exterior: Customers can apply colours of their choice to numerous bodywork elements, such as the upper air vents on the carbon bonnet, monograms, rear window, rear wing endplate and various aerodynamic appendages. This opens up a wide range of creative possibilities, from contrasts to harmonious colours. These customised elements will be assembled on the production line at the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé, with many manual steps ideally suited to this level of customisation and craftmanship.

Interior: For the interior trim, including Sabelt bucket seats, customers can choose from 14 Alcantara colours, 10 semi-aniline leather shades offering a more natural feel that lasts over time, created by prestigious Italian specialist Poltrona Frau, and three finishes (two of which are available in Alcantara): embroidery, embossing and leather braiding on the seat tops and door panels. From the rear of the bucket seats to the ceiling, including asymmetrical choices, everything is possible to create the cockpit of the customer's dreams.

Atelier "On Demand"

Alpine can consider specific customisation requests not included in the catalogue at the customer's request. With Atelier "On Demand", the possibilities for exterior and interior customisation are virtually endless.

"La Bleue", a unique configuration limited to 15 units

A veritable showcase of the customisation expertise applied to the Alpine A110 R Ultime, "La Bleue" was the centrepiece of the Alpine stand at the 2024 Paris Motor Show during its first public appearance.

This strictly limited edition of 15 units features a fusion of two iconic Alpine blues on its bodywork in a hand-crafted gradient finish created at the Dieppe factory: Bleu Abysse and Bleu Alpine. Its unique blue leather interior is by Poltrona Frau and Sabelt, in an exclusive illustration of the possibilities offered by the Atelier Sur-Mesure Alpine.

Redesigned aerodynamics

Based on the A110 R, the aerodynamic work on the A110 R Ultime focused on high-speed performance to deliver optimum stability. The total downforce achieved in the road-approved configuration (0 degrees) is 100 kg at 275 km/h, which is +149 kg more downforce at high speed compared to an A110 R. 124 kg of this is added to the front axle alone, with the rest concentrated at the rear to improve efficiency and stability, without any lift at the front at maximum speed. It makes the A110 R Ultime the only A110 to offer downforce at both the front and rear, enabling higher cornering speeds and the best possible steering feel. There are also track configurations (+2, +4 and +6 degrees).

Numerous adaptations were implemented to achieve this result, starting with a revamp under the front bonnet: the heat exchangers are now oriented upwards, with hot air evacuated through the bonnet, where fins at the outlet optimise airflow to the spoiler and prevent it from returning to the engine intake at the rear quarter panel. In addition, two Naca ducts have been placed in the underbody to cool the components in the front compartment, particularly during track use. The ride height is lower than the A110 R, while modifications to the front brake scoops offer improved cooling.

More visibly, the A110 R Ultime also features specific front winglets and a flexible blade under the front splitter to increase downforce while allowing the car to pass over track kerbs without damage. A rear ducktail was added to increase downforce while the wing was redesigned. It now features double flaps with a specific angle and position to optimise the compromise between downforce and drag. It also has specific end plates (vertical flaps at the ends of the rear wing) on the sides, which are equipped with fins to increase downforce. The wing is adjustable to four different angles (0, +2, +4 and +6 degrees) to adapt perfectly to each type of circuit, particularly the Nürburgring, with several positions to favour drag or downforce as required. The rear wing can thus provide up to 25 kg of additional downforce. Finally, the rear splitter has new side flaps to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Dynamic definition for on-track performance

The Alpine A110 R Ultime, developed for the racetrack and approved for road use, combines the best of Alpine engineering. The goal is to push every limit while keeping weight under control to achieve the ultimate dynamic efficiency for the A110 R, with a radical edge that takes cornering speeds and lateral acceleration to a new level. The A110 R Ultime is a more demanding version, with its limits pushed further, but it remains progressive to drive, less prone to load transfer and more responsive to steering, throttle and brake inputs. The ride height and suspension hydraulics can be adjusted to suit the car to the track and the driver's preferences.

Among the technical measures taken to improve the A110 R Ultime's performance, the tyre specifications dictated using a specific rubber compound with the Michelin PS CUP2 tyres, marked A11.

The dimensions have also been adjusted to improve performance, with 18-inch forged aluminium wheels at the front and 19-inch at the rear.

In terms of suspension, the A110 R Ultime features four Ohlins TTX shock absorbers from the GT4 version with height adjustment and two-way hydraulic compression and rebound damping. The ride height is adjustable over a broader range: starting from the same position on the road as the A110 R, it can be lowered by 20 mm at the front and 25 mm at the rear (-10 mm on the A110 R). The front anti-roll bar, as are the chassis settings, is specific to this model, which reduces roll from 2.2 to 1.9 degrees per G.

To further enhance road holding, the new rear limited-slip differential with 39% front and 24% rear locking ratios is designed to limit inner wheel slip. Combined with the stiffer suspension, this provides increased stability when entering corners and optimal traction when exiting for improved performance.

The weight of the A110 R Ultime remains extremely low, close to that of the A110 R, at around 1,100 kg.

The brakes are also specific to this model, with 330 mm grooved discs (instead of 320 mm) and performance pads with optimised cooling thanks to new scoops. Lastly, the ABS and ESP were recalibrated to match the suspension and optimise track use.

A specific high-power motorisation

The engineers at Alpine conducted extensive development work to get the most out of the A110 R engine in this Ultimate version. It can now deliver a specific power of up to 190 hp/l using a fuel with a higher-octane rating (RON 102), thanks to specially developed mapping: a figure that exceeds that of specific competition models.

Numerous modifications were made to achieve this spectacular result. Some parts are derived from GT4 competition, supplied by Oreca, such as the reinforced forged connecting rods and pistons to withstand the pressure in the chamber, especially with the high-octane rating of RON 102, which allows for greater ignition advance, pushing back the physical limits of knocking (auto-ignition) and allowing for increased boost. The turbo has been re-engineered to find a different wheel/turbine match, allowing for greater compression potential with a maximum boost pressure of up to 2.9 bar. The spark plugs are also a specific model.

The aluminium engine mounts had to be adapted to accommodate the new engine/gearbox combination, with a new DW6 gearbox explicitly developed for this purpose. It is specially designed for track use and can handle increased torque, allowing for gear changes in around 100 ms.

The Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, fitted as standard and an integral part of the development of this version, represents a weight saving of 3.5 kg. Its sound is tuned to accompany the more radical performance of this Ultime version, particularly when lifting off the throttle and changing gears while remaining within the limits of road homologation.

All these measures have resulted in noticeable performance gains behind the wheel and in figures. Power now reaches 325 hp at 6,000 rpm with RON 98 fuel (+25 hp) and 345 hp at 6,000 rpm with RON 102 fuel. The control unit automatically recognises the fuel and adapts the engine management accordingly. The engine red line is set at 7,000 rpm in all cases. The power-to-weight ratio has improved by 0.25 kg/hp, with a 3.4 kg/hp value.

Engine torque has also improved, gaining 80 Nm to reach 420 Nm between 3,200 and 4,200 rpm (between 3,200 and 5,600 rpm with RON 102, as on the GT4 version).

As a result, maximum longitudinal acceleration is 8m/s2, lateral acceleration is up 10% compared with the R version, and 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in just 3.8 seconds (-0.1 seconds), while the top speed is 280 km/h.

Ultra-limited series

The Alpine A110 R Ultime is a strictly limited series of 110 units, including 15 special editions of "La Bleue". The base price is set at €265,000, including VAT, with customisation options.

"La Bleue" includes all customisation options and an exclusive hand-painted finish priced at €330,000 including VAT. Deliveries of the A110 R Ultime are scheduled for early 2026.