Lighter, grippier and with more downforce than any previous version, the Alpine A110 R is the brand’s most hardcore model yet
The already fine-handling and lightweight Alpine A110 has been taken to new heights with this – the A110 R. It’s been designed to extract more track performance from the capable mid-engined coupe, thanks to more aggressive aero, retuned suspension and even less weight than before.
In design terms, there’s no mistaking the A110 R for anything less than the most focused variant yet. Available in the same matte blue paint finish as the firm’s Formula 1 car, the R gets a vented bonnet, a front splitter and new side skirts, all fashioned from carbon fibre and designed to improve downforce and aero efficiency. At the rear, the diffuser has been reprofiled and there’s a new rear wing featuring swan-neck mounts.
These additions provide more downforce than any other A110, but also reduce drag by five per cent compared with an Aero Kit-equipped A110 S. As a result, the R tops out at 177mph, making it faster than Alpine’s current flagship.
Despite the new aero components, the A110 R is also 34kg lighter than the S model. This is thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, which extends to the roof, engine cover and fixed-back bucket seats. To reduce unsprung mass, Alpine has also fitted a set of 18-inch carbon fibre wheels that provide a total saving of 12.5kg and improved brake cooling.
Despite the R’s 1.8-litre turbocharged motor offering the same 296bhp and 340Nm outputs as the A110 S, the new model posts a faster 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds. The A110 R also features a revised exhaust system and less soundproofing, which should provide a sharper engine note at high revs.
The A110 R’s key advantage over lesser models, though, is its chassis setup. The ride height has been dropped by 10mm (customers can lower the car by a further 10mm for circuit use), and spring rates are up by 10 per cent all-round. Alpine has also fitted a set of manually adjustable dampers, allowing owners to tweak compression and rebound stiffness to their taste.
The anti-roll bars are 10 and 25 per cent stiffer at the front and rear respectively, which should provide more front-end bite, and the R wears aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres with track performance in mind. The Brembo braking system also features a new cooling setup for more persistent stopping power.
Inside, the A110 R gets racy microfibre upholstery on the seats, dashboard, door panels and steering wheel, along with red fabric door pulls. The carbon fibre seats are fitted with six-point harnesses for extra support on track, and an onboard telemetry system allows the driver to monitor mechanical data and lap times during a session.
Order books will open for the A110 R this month, with Alpine’s new flagship expected to demand a significant premium over the £60,040 A110 S.
Keyword: Track-bred Alpine A110 R revealed with 296bhp