Transport
New Renault Alpine A110 Unveiled
France's Renault introduced the model at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
16 March, 2017
A main attraction at this year's Geneva Motor Show was Renault's reveal of the Alpine A110.
According to the company, the Alpine A110 recalls the Alpine A110 Berlinette, built from the early 1960s to the late 1970s. Show guests were not disappointed with the agile and lightweight reimagination of the classic.
Strategic use of lightweighting materials means that Alpine owners who aren't sparing any expense (the final price isn't set yet, but expect about €58,500) won't sacrifice on performance, comfort or experience either. The car is compact at 4.2 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and just 1.3 meters high, with a low center of gravity that keeps in mind "the type of winding mountain road that made Alpine's reputation," the company said. The Renault engineers have kept the vehicle's mass at the center, placing the fuel tank behind the front axle and the engine in front of the rear axle, for optimal results.
Strategic use of lightweighting materials means that Alpine owners who aren't sparing any expense (the final price isn't set yet, but expect about €58,500) won't sacrifice on performance, comfort or experience either. The car is compact at 4.2 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and just 1.3 meters high, with a low center of gravity that keeps in mind "the type of winding mountain road that made Alpine's reputation," the company said. The Renault engineers have kept the vehicle's mass at the center, placing the fuel tank behind the front axle and the engine in front of the rear axle, for optimal results.
Aluminium construction of the platform and body means the A110 weighs just 1,103 kilograms, and the material is used extensively throughout the vehicle. That includes all-aluminium caliper brakes from Brembo, part of a proprietary braking system for the Alpine that allows for another 2.5 kilogram weight savings. It also includes 18-inch forged aluminium wheels that create a beautiful "open" look with a black matte, diamond-turned finish that is sure to turn a few heads, all while keeping the car lean.
Images: Motorlegend
The A110 is equipped with a new 1.8l 4-cylinder turbocharged engine developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance and customized for Alpine. The rear-wheel drive machine delivers maximum power at 185kW/252PS, with a maximum torque of 320Nm. The lightweight aluminium, along with carbon fiber notably in the interior passenger compartment, yields a power-to-weight ratio that supports the car's ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in a breathless 4.5 seconds.
It also supports a 7-speed gearbox that was specifically designed for Alpine to ensure optimal performance at all times, and that's across three different driving modes – the normal, sport or track – in in which the engine and gearbox settings, steering, driver display and other features are adapted to suit the driving conditions.
Aerodynamic design enhancements are borrowed from the racing world and have been tested in the wind tunnel to make sure the sleek A110 look is matched by excellent performance. A flat floor, rear bumper diffuser, and other features designed to reduce drag all make the top speed of 250 kilometers per hour achievable.
Not that anyone is likely to confuse the singular A110, but the streamlined design makes the vehicle readily recognizable as an Alpine for a new era, built with smart materials and skill.
Aerodynamic design enhancements are borrowed from the racing world and have been tested in the wind tunnel to make sure the sleek A110 look is matched by excellent performance. A flat floor, rear bumper diffuser, and other features designed to reduce drag all make the top speed of 250 kilometers per hour achievable.
Not that anyone is likely to confuse the singular A110, but the streamlined design makes the vehicle readily recognizable as an Alpine for a new era, built with smart materials and skill.
Image: Motorlegend
Aluminium also is used in the interior of the vehicle, along with carbon fiber and natural-grain leather that is integrated into a minimalist experience consistent with the overall redesign of the Alpine. As spectacular as the A110 is, it's still meant for the everyday use and ease of driver and passenger. Yet it remains in a limited edition run of 1,955 cars – chosen for the year that Jean Rédélé launched Alpine.
Image: Motorlegend
There's some good news and some bad news on that front. The company says all available left-hand drive models were reserved in just five days when Alpine reservations opened in December. If you are in the UK or another right-hand driving market, you may still be in luck. All of the vehicles built at the Dieppe, France, factory are destined for European countries with the exception of Japan, and those who were unable to attend the unveiling in Geneva should have their chance to see the A110 soon: the first Alpine showroom opens this month in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris.
Banner image: Motorlegend