french brand alpine returns with compact A110 sports car

one year following the presentation of the alpine ‘vision’ show car, the revived french-automaker reveals its new production car at this year’s geneva motor show: the ‘A110’. combining the timeless alpine principles of light weight, agility and performance, this mid-engined two-seater sports coupé is true to the spirit of its predecessor. the ‘A110’ will be built in the alpine factory in dieppe, northern france.

all images © alpine    

the alpine ‘A110’s’ compact size (4178 mm long, 1798 mm wide and 1252 mm high),  weight distribution (44 % front/ 56 % rear) and low centre of gravity are all dedicated to its agility – especially on the type of winding mountain roads that made the french brand’s reputation back in the 1960s and ‘70s. the sports car’s mass is also concentrated around the centre of the vehicle, with the fuel tank located behind the front axle, and the engine in front of the rear axle, enabling the driver to feel at one with the car. 

the ‘A110’ is modern yet immediately recognizable as a classic 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’ emphasizes its french DNA. the side profile shows the design’s efficiency – bodywork wrapped tightly around the technical parts to minimize footprint. at the rear, ‘X’ shaped LED tail lights with dynamic turn indicators give the car a contemporary look, while the sloping, wrap-around rear screen pays homage to alpine’s models from years gone by.

stepping inside, the ‘A110’s’ minimalist, lightweight interior architecture merges with a welcoming, comfortable driving position.  top quality materials – smooth natural-grain leather, structural aluminum, carbon fiber – creates a rewarding driver and passenger experience.

the sports car comes equipped with a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine developed by the renault-nissan alliance. alpine’s engineers, together with renault sport, customized this engine for alpine, with specific air intake, turbocharger, exhaust system and engine tuning. it has a maximum power output of 252 hp and maximum torque of 320 Nm. combined with the low kerb weight of only 1080 kg, the excellent power-to-weight ratio of 233 hp:tonne enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds. the engine is paired to a getrag seven-speed DCT gearbox, with gear ratios specifically developed to ensure optimal performance. 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.