Renault have upped their gameby reviving the Alpine brand and launching a mid-engined rear-wheel drive machine that’s going head to head with the likes of the Porsche Cayman and Alfa Romeo 4C.
The A110 is a sexy berlinette that’s named after a classic sports car made from 1961 and 1977, but underneath the classic styling lies an entirely new and modern sports car.
Underpinned by an aluminum architecture and fitted with double wishbones at both ends, the Alpine A110 utilizes a new 1.8-liter turbocharged four that puts out 252PS (248hp) and 320Nm (236lb-ft) that are directed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Helped by the low weight (1,080kg / 2,380lbs), the A110 needs just 4.5sec for the 0-100km/h (0-62mph) sprint and maxes out at 250km/h (155mph).
Behind the wheel, the A110 feels properly balanced and alive, especially in ‘Track’ mode, but despite that, the automaker claims that this is not your average weekend warrior.
After taking the exciting coupe out for a short run, Australia’s Drive claims that it doesn’t feel like a rich man’s Renault, but rather like a poor man’s McLaren – and that is very high praise indeed.
Down Under, it will cost an estimated AUD $90,000-$100,000 (USD $69,834-$77,594), whereas in France it’s expected to cost between €55,000 and €60,000 ($65,365-$71,307). So far, Alpine has no plans to offer it in North America.
