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.’
Design and interior
With styling elements all of its own, the Alpine A110S is clearly distinguished from the rest of the A110 model range. New exterior design touches such as flag details on the rearmost pillars in carbon fibre and orange, black Alpine script across the rear, orange brake calipers and version specific ‘GT Race’ wheels with a dark finish also mirror the car’s focused character. The A110S looks purposeful with its lower ride height, while an optional Gris Tonnerre paint in a matte finish, exclusive to the A110S, further underlines the car’s sporting nature.
Within the cabin, orange stitching replaces the signature blue stitching found in other versions of the A110.Sophisticated black Dinamica upholstery for the roof lining, sun visors and door panels perfectly underlines the new versions’s uncompromising personality. The seats, also trimmed in Dinamica, are Sabelt items that weigh just 13.1kg apiece. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and Dinamica with an orange 12 o’clock marker and stitching to match. The pedals and footrests are lightweight aluminium, while the cabin is neatly set off by carbon fibre and orange flag emblems to match those found on the outside of the car.
Alpine A110S buyers will have the option of upgrading to a carbon fibre roof in a gloss finish, which not only highlights the car’s sporting nature but actually reduces the car’s overall weight by 1.9kg. Other options include lightweight Fuchs forged alloy wheels and a carbon fibre finish for the Sabelt seats. Standard equipment include a Focal audio system, Alpine Telemetrics and front and rear parking sensors.
Antony Villain, Alpine Design Director, comments: ‘The A110S’s precise and focused character are reflected with new design elements. The flag emblems inside and out, finished in carbon fibre and contrasting orange, neatly encapsulate the car’s personality: its commitment to lightweight construction on one hand and its vibrant driving experience on the other. The Dinamica upholstery within the cabin has a technical look and feel that perfectly suits the A110S. Against orange stitching the Dinamica lends the cabin a refined, high-end quality.’
Chassis
From suspension setup to stability control calibration, and from wheel geometry to tyre construction and compound, the A110S’s chassis has been honed to deliver an intense driving experience.
At its core the Alpine A110S uses the same very lightweight and compact aluminium body structure as in any A110, but the unique configuration of the chassis has given the new version a distinct dynamic character. The new coil springs are stiffer by 50 per cent and the dampers have been tuned accordingly. The anti-roll bars – hollow to minimise weight – are firmer by 100 per cent.
The lowered ride height, reduced by 4mm, optimises the car’s centre of gravity and lends the Alpine A110S excellent high-speed stability and instantaneous steering response. The bump stops have been tuned for ultimate body control. Overall, the focused chassis setup results in a high level of handling precision and dynamic efficiency.
New wheels and tyres (215mm on the front axle and 245mm at the rear) and a specific construction and compound for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres give the A110S great mechanical grip. The new tyres and the various chassis revisions ensure the A110S has a dynamic character of its own, both in theoretical terms and also in the way the car feels from behind the steering wheel.
Accordingly, the electronic stability control programme has been configured, particularly in Track mode, for ultimate precision and stability. The ESC system can still be fully disengaged.
Fitted as standard are the powerful Brembo brake calipers and 320mm bi-material discs that are optionally available on other versions of the A110.
Jean-Pascal Dauce, Alpine chief engineer, comments: ‘Earlier versions of the A110 were pitched very much in line with the original 1970s A110 – just like that classic model they’re playful and fun to drive. The A110S has a very different character. Its bespoke chassis setup makes it a very focused sports car. High-speed stability and handling precision are two of its defining characteristics. Although lap times are never a priority for our road cars, the new A110S is nonetheless faster than the A110 ‘s other versions. However, what’s important is that it is a comfortable and usable everyday car. The A110S wouldn’t be a true Alpine if it was very firm or too hard-riding to be driven day-to-day. Nor does it demand a very high level of ability on the part of its driver to be fun and rewarding – just like our other models, the A110S can be enjoyed by drivers with any level of experience.’
Powertrain
With engine power increased by 40PS over existing versions of the A110, the Alpine A110S is the fastest and most powerful version in the range. The characterful 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine remains, but turbocharger boost pressure is increased by 0.4bar to deliver greater performance.
The peak power output of 292PS arrives at 6400rpm, some 400rpm higher up the rev range than the other versions ‘maximum power output. Torque is rated at 320Nm and is available from 2000rpm to 6400rpm which is 1400rmp higher than on the 252PS engine. Consequently, the A110S’s engine is not only more powerful, but also more thrilling in its delivery. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission. A brake-based e-differential system, meanwhile, ensures the A110S delivers very sharp and immediate drive away from a corner with minimal wheelspin.
The new horsepower figure means the Alpine A110S has a power-to-weight ratio of 3.8kg/PS, which compares favourably to the other versions’ 4.3kg/PS. It sprints to 100kph from standstill in 4.4 seconds.
Jean-Pascal Dauce comments: ‘The objective was to intensify the engine’s character and power delivery. The A110S is characterised by high-speed stability and handling precision, and it was important to mirror those distinctive dynamic traits with the car’s powertrain as well. Between 5000 and 7000rpm the engine is especially energetic. It continues to push forward even at those very high engine speeds, which really encourages you to stretch every gear all the way out.’
Alpine A110S – Technical Data
- Fuel type: Petrol
- Engine type: 1.8L 4cyl 16v turbocharged
- Maximum power: 292PS @ 6400rpm
- Maximum torque: 320Nm from 2000rpm to 6400rpm
- Architecture: mid-engined, rear-wheel drive
- Gearbox type: 7-speed DCT, wet clutch
- Unladen weight (DIN): 1114kg
- Power to weight ratio: 3.8kg/PS (262PS/tonne)
- Dimensions
- Length: 4180mm
- Width: 1798mm
- Height: 1248mm
- Wheelbase: 2419mm
- Track width
- front: 1556mm
- rear: 1553mm
- Chassis: double wishbones front and rear
- Brakes
- front: 4 piston fixed caliper, 320mm discs
- rear: single piston floating caliper, 320mm discs
- Drag coefficient: Cd: 0.32
- Drag area Cd*A: 0.621 (A 1.94m2)
- Fuel tank: 45 litres
- Boot capacity
- front: 96 litres
- rear: 100 litres
- Wheels and tyres
- front: 215/40R18
- rear: 245/40R18
- Top speed: 260kph
- Acceleration 0-100kph (62mph): 4.4 seconds
