RE: Alpine A110 | PH Fleet (nearly)

[SpudLink]

On a couple of occasions I’ve waited over a year for my car to be built. The anticipation and excitement adds flavour to the ownership experience.

andrewparker said:

This is from a mockup company that I use at work. Looks brilliant in yellow!

https://yellowimages.com/stock/alpine-a110-mockup-...

I really like it in RenaultSport Yellow. But this is sold as an Alpine, so that’d go against all the efforts to re-launch the brand.

I’m disappointed that Dan has gone for ‘resale grey’, but it’s his money and his choice.

As I’ve said on the earlier thread, I’m really pleased to see a motoring journalist spending his own hard earned money on the lightweight drivers car, rather than the default German sportscar.

[hyphen]

bcr5784 said:

Not heard the subwoofer - but the standard Focal system produces surprisingly solid bass - and is altogether rather impressive.

But that will be mid-bass. Will depend on what music you listen to, but a sub wil handle the lower frequencies which otherwise won't be heard/felt.

As the buyer says he lives in a city, so will be stuck in queues a lot, more use than spending £3k on wheels.

But I haven't heard either, and a quick Google doesn't bring up any owners reviews so don't how much better it is.

Edited by hyphen on Friday 2nd August 15:28

[bcr5784]

hyphen said:

But that will be mid-bass. Will depend on what music you listen to, but a sub wil handle the lower frequencies which otherwise won't be heard/felt.
.

That's true of course to a point - but then it's also true of the subwoofer, depending on your definition of "mid". The subwoofer is just under 8" and (inevitably) in a very small and shallow housing.. The speakers in the doors are just under 7" - so not that much smaller. Focal claim 50Hz response for their aftermarket subwoofer offering, which I assume is essentially the same as the Alpine unit - but it certainly won't be flat down to that level and, in a car, won't be that accurate because of all the reflections. I'd have to listen to the subwoofer (I might be able to when my car goes in for service) to see if it's worth trying ro retrofit a subwoofer. I frankly doubt it, I much prefer what bass I do get to be accurate, rather than the boom which too often masquerades as bass. (Like the dreadful Bose system in my previous Cayman).

That said Focal (unlike Bose) are a serious Hifi player so I'll reserve my judgement too.

I see Focal claim response down to 60hz for their flax cone speakers, which are, I assume, the ones in the Alpine. Again no indication how many db down at that level, but it does go some way to explaining why they sound pretty punchy.

Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 2nd August 17:32

[Kawasicki]

Good choice on the 18“ wheels.

I prefer to lose a little on ride and gain steering and handling.

[bcr5784]

Kawasicki said:

I prefer to lose a little on ride and gain steering and handling.

Who says you do? Not Alpine, who say the car handles better on 17s. Walter Rohl will tell you a Cayman handles better on 19s rather 20s. Caterham drivers will tell you the car handles best on 13" rather than the 14 or 15" options.

[banana]

Couldn't wait had to buy a showroom stock car - pre spec'd and I'll tell you how much fun it is when I eventually run it in. 0-600 miles max rpm 4k, no red lining until 1200 miles oh la la!

A110 forced revised family vehicle in background.

[Niffty951]

I feel your pain. I'm also waiting for a new car for the first time in several years and I think I've now read every review and seen every youtube clip enough times to quite them verbatim.

I've also bought it on forza and set benchmark laps against previous cars I've owned and other cars of interest.. now on ...ohh god 6 weeks more the wait ...WHY!!!

[VXstuey]

I was quite enjoying being the only one who went for Thunder Grey! Fun while it lasted!😊

[Kawasicki]

bcr5784 said:

Kawasicki said:

I prefer to lose a little on ride and gain steering and handling.

Who says you do? Not Alpine, who say the car handles better on 17s. Walter Rohl will tell you a Cayman handles better on 19s rather 20s. Caterham drivers will tell you the car handles best on 13" rather than the 14 or 15" options.

It depends on the car, and the tyre. I generally prefer less steering delay and shaper handling responses, so I tend towards lower sidewall height.

Of course you can go too far, maybe that’s the case with 20“ on a Cayman. I think a Cayman would be more enjoyable to drive with 19“ than 13“ for example.

[bcr5784]

Kawasicki said:

It depends on the car, and the tyre. I generally prefer less steering delay and shaper handling responses, so I tend towards lower sidewall height.

Of course you can go too far, maybe that’s the case with 20“ on a Cayman. I think a Cayman would be more enjoyable to drive with 19“ than 13“ for example.

Could be the case with the Alpine too - I don't know anyone, other than Alpine, who have expressed an opinion. I'm not sure why people haven't accepted as road test after road test have said, that the biggest wheels are rarely desirable. It's about fashion, rarely function. Of course it suits everyone selling the car to push expensive wheels as an option. When I tested the 981 Cayman the salesman was keen to convince me the ride was really pretty good .. I wonder why.

Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 2nd August 19:16

[josh00mac]

These look great so will be interesting to follow. Good pints about the colour - yes the blue seems common because we’ve all overseen the press cars but I have only seen one on the road so far. Such a shame to go grey.

Slightly off topic but when I see what a success this has been, along with the low targeted sales, I can’t help but think toyotas ‘we can’t make the finances work on doing our own car’ excuse just doesn’t stack up. Even if they had to use part bin items, they should have made it themselves. Good on Renault for pursuing this.

[bcr5784]

josh00mac said:

Slightly off topic but when I see what a success this has been, along with the low targeted sales, I can’t help but think toyotas ‘we can’t make the finances work on doing our own car’ excuse just doesn’t stack up. Even if they had to use part bin items, they should have made it themselves. Good on Renault for pursuing this.

On the other hand Renault were trying to establish a premium brand with Alpine - as Nissan did with Infiniti (not very successful in the UK), or Toyota with Lexus. As such it would have made more sense to them take a risk - in the hope of making big profits down the line with SUVs. Porsche have shown what a financially successful approach that can be.

Renault's gamble has paid off (so far) - but it could have been a damp squid if the Alpine A110 had been such an outstanding success.

[RBV8]

Look on the brightside, you could be waiting for the new Griff :/

[TurboBlue]

I've finally ordered my first new car; taking into account probable daily use and how the costs mount up I have chosen a Pure with a minimal spec. On the road price including factory options, delivery, dealer options & insurance is exactly £51,000.

Spec is: metallic Abyss Blue, 17" wheels, aluminium pedals and passenger footrest, front & rear parking sensors, Focal audio system, Alpine telemetrics, mirror pack & floor mats.

Would have had Olympic Blue (405) but they don't do it (shame).

I've missed out all the big ticket items: 320mm brakes, 18" wheels, sports exhaust and the blue detailing most have. I'm hoping that I'll not miss any of these.

This is mine on the configurator

[SFO]

TurboBlue said:

I've finally ordered my first new car; taking into account probable daily use and how the costs mount up I have chosen a Pure with a minimal spec. On the road price including factory options, delivery, dealer options & insurance is exactly £51,000.

Spec is: metallic Abyss Blue, 17" wheels, aluminium pedals and passenger footrest, front & rear parking sensors, Focal audio system, Alpine telemetrics, mirror pack & floor mats.

Would have had Olympic Blue (405) but they don't do it (shame).

I've missed out all the big ticket items: 320mm brakes, 18" wheels, sports exhaust and the blue detailing most have. I'm hoping that I'll not miss any of these.

This is mine on the configurator

abyss blue looks lovely

great purist spec too

[Earthdweller]

sideways man said:

I’d really have gone with the 17’s. Better ride and lower gearing!

You get different gear ratios with the smaller wheels ?

Surely the rolling circumference is the same on all wheel options with just the amount of rubber between the rim and road changing ?

[bcr5784]

Looks great to me - I really can't understand why people object to the wheels - look just as good as the Fuchs wheels on my PE to me. I marginally prefer the Alpine blue - but if I had to pay the big uplift in price I'd probably have gone for Abyss too. I'd recommend the storage boxes that fit between seat and door - the lack of storage space will drive you mad. They are pricey at 60 odd quid each but nothing like as ridiculous as the "storage pack" - and a lot more convenient imo.

[bcr5784]

Earthdweller said:

sideways man said:

I’d really have gone with the 17’s. Better ride and lower gearing!

You get different gear ratios with the smaller wheels ?

Surely the rolling circumference is the same on all wheel options with just the amount of rubber between the rim and road changing ?

Gearing will be unchanged - higher profile compensates for smaller rim. Unlike Porsche (and to a lesser extent Lotus) the Alpine doesn't need lower gearing - it's sensibly geared to start with. Just under 60 in 2nd just over 80 in third, just over 100 in 4th. And 7th is both a sensible cruising ratio - but with enough grunt to overtake motorway traffic without a downchange if you so wish. (TBH I've got so used to having changing down to overtake briskly on motorways in my 981S that I tend to still do it anyway.)

[TurboBlue]

bcr5784 said:

I'd recommend the storage boxes that fit between seat and door - the lack of storage space will drive you mad. They are pricey at 60 odd quid each but nothing like as ridiculous as the "storage pack" - and a lot more convenient imo.

Thanks, sounds like a good idea - Alpine accessory I assume?

[bcr5784]

TurboBlue said:

Thanks, sounds like a good idea - Alpine accessory I assume?

Yes I think so, certainly available from your Alpine dealer.