The Alpine A110 is a mid-engined sports car that has won a cult following and much critical acclaim. Combining lightweight construction with a powerful turbocharged engine, this is one of the most engaging driver’s cars to buy used.
There are a number of rivals the Alpine A110 must face, including the popular Porsche 718 Cayman. While the mid-engined Porsche is the most obvious challenger, there is also the Toyota GR Supra, Audi TT S and even the BMW Z4 roadster. The Lotus Emira is another option that also focuses on light weight and agile handling.
If you are considering an Alpine A110 to buy used, keep reading for all the information you need to know.
The Alpine A110 is unlike almost any other car on the road, being a mid-engined coupe with a steadfast focus on driving fun. From its retro styling to its lightweight aluminium construction, the A110 is a dedicated homage to the 1960s original.
By designing the A110 to tip the scales so lightly, Alpine has made its sports car a brilliantly engaging vehicle to drive. It is renowned as one of the best handling cars around, with sharp steering and plenty of grip and feedback. Light weight means the A110 rides with a surprising amount of comfort for a sports car, too.
Compared to some rivals, the Alpine’s use of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine may not seem very exotic. The 1.8-litre unit features in a range of other Renault cars, but the A110 uses its power to great effect. It even achieves respectable levels of fuel economy.
Some enthusiasts may wish for a manual gearbox, but the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with paddles behind the steering wheel, shifts quickly and decisively.
On the inside, Alpine favours a minimalist style, with a simple multimedia touchscreen and row of supporting buttons. Some of the components may feel a little mass-market, but such concerns will be forgotten once the A110 is on the open road.
The same is also true of the A110’s limited luggage space. There is a modest 96 litres of storage at the front, with an additional 100 litres at the rear. This is considerably less than rivals such as the Audi TT and Porsche 718 Cayman. However, the sheer joie de vivre of the A110 is enough to compensate.
The Alpine A110 is a car focussed, above all else, on providing a dynamic driving experience. It delivers on this single-minded goal with real aplomb, combining a low kerb weight with enthralling attention to detail.
Being such a light machine gives the Alpine A110 a different level of tactility and driver interaction compared to its key rivals from Porsche, Audi and Toyota. Sidestepping such a roster of established sports cars will be a bold decision, but it is one the Alpine A110 will surely reward. It has very few weaknesses, and feels like a truly bespoke machine. For those who want a dedicated sports car, the Alpine A110 makes for a great choice to buy used.
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As with many sports cars, it’s the most basic, cheapest one that is arguably the most appealing. Alpine offers the A110 in various trims, Pure, Legende, A110S, and R. The Pure and Legende making do with 252PS versions of the 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the A110S has a 292PS tune of the same Renault-sourced engine. The R has the full house 300PS engine and carbon fibure parts to reduce weight for improved performance.
At a little over a tonne in weight, the Pure and Legende’s output is more than adequate, allowing a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds. Indeed, the S only betters that by a scant 0.1 seconds and if you can notice that then you should consider being a racing driver for a living. You might detect the R's even more rapid acceleration as it takes only 3.9 seconds to cover 0-62mph.
All feature a seven-speed paddle-shifted twin-clutch automatic transmission. In this form, a Pure with the factory option of a sports exhaust is the A110 at its best.
The A110S, for all its extra power actually denies the A110 of some of its core appeal, its tauter suspension and larger tyres robbing it of some of its finesse and surprising comfort on the road for little gain in actual real-world enjoyment. The R is best considered as the choice for those looking to indulge in track fun.
The Alpine A110 is offered with three versions of the same mid-mounted petrol engine, with differing power outputs depending on the model chosen. All make use of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which sends power to the rear wheels.
Alpine A110 1.8 TCe 252: Available on the standard A110 only, the 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 252PS in this specification. Given the A110’s low kerb weight, the result is an ability to accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, plus a 155mph top speed. Weight is also a benefit when it comes to fuel economy, with the A110 delivering up to 42mpg.
Alpine A110 1.8 TCe 292: This engine version was for the earlier model of A110S. It offered 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds thanks to 40PS more than the Pure model. The S also came with stronger 320mm Brembo brake discs for even stronger stopping power.
Alpine A110 1.8 TCe 300: Opting for the A110S or GT models unlocks a more powerful version of the 1.8-litre engine, here producing 300PS. The extra power sees the 0-62mph time drop to just 4.2 seconds. Buyers of the S who choose the optional aero kit will gain a top speed increase to 170mph. Despite all the extra performance, average fuel economy remains at around 40mpg.
The Alpine A110 is available in four different trim levels, which add an emphasis on increased luxury or enhanced performance to this mid-engined coupe. There have also been some limited edition models.
Alpine A110: The standard A110 is said to be the purest model available, and indeed the most affordable. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, climate control air-con, satellite navigation, and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Offered only with the 252PS engine, the A110 comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and Sabelt bucket seats.
Alpine A110 South Beach Colorway: Designed to celebrate F1’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix, Alpine designed a special edition inspired by the Florida city. Based on the standard A110 only, buyers can pick from two bespoke colours, which are complemented by white 18-inch alloy wheels and colour-coded trim details.
Alpine A110 GT: Adding an extra degree of elegance to the A110, the GT version aims to deliver a grand touring experience. This includes six-way adjustable seats finished in brown leather, along with a powerful Focal sound system. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels is fitted, plus a rear-view camera and parking sensors.
Alpine A110 GT Jean Rédélé Edition: Limited to just 100 models, the Jean Rédélé Edition of the A110 was a celebration of the man who founded the Alpine brand in 1955. Along with a bespoke grey and black exterior finish, the Jean Rédélé Edition gains comfort seats in black leather and electrically folding side mirrors.
Alpine A110S: Turning the A110 into an effective track-day toy, the S model gains a bespoke suspension setup and black exterior badging. On the inside, it comes with fixed Sabelt bucket seats and a steering wheel finished in microfibre. A dramatic body kit is an option fitted to some, along with preparation for racing harnesses.
Alpine A110 Tour de Corse 75: Paying homage to the original Alpine A110’s motorsport successes, the Tour de Corse 75 edition wears a distinctive rally-inspired colour scheme. Bespoke graphics and 18-inch alloy wheels are found on the outside, along with embroidered bucket seats and a commemorative plaque on the dashboard.
Alpine A110R: More power, less weight was the goal for the R and Alpine hit its target by dropping 34kg from the S version. The R also has its engine upped to 300PS, so it can tick off 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 178mph. It also comes with improved, brakes, tyres, suspension, exhaust, and unique wheels.
The Alpine A110’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4181mm
Width: 1798mm
Height: 1252mm
Ground clearance: 126mm
The Alpine A110’s boot space is:
196 litres (both front and rear compartments)
On top of the standard rate of £180 for road tax you will need to pay each year for the Alpine A110, you will also have to cough up the £390 surcharge for cars that cost more than £40,000 when new. That applies to all A110 models and remains until the car hits its sixth birthday.
The Alpine A110 is a specialist sports car, with high performance and plenty of bespoke parts. As such, it will be more expensive to insure than a typical hot hatchback. The entry-level A110 is placed in group 44 (out of 50) for insurance. Moving to the 300PS versions sees this ranking increase to group 48.
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