Alpine unveils new A110 'Future' ahead of FOS
The A110 as we know it is dead - but Goodwood-bound 'test mule' suggests its design DNA has been preserved
While Alpine has been previewing the next-generation of A110 for yonks - making a number of assertive, enthusiast-pleasing promises along the way - it has been reluctant to reveal what its new battery-powered (to begin with anyway) sports car will actually look like. Well, with the previous model now safely consigned to the history books, we are due to get our best idea yet courtesy of the ‘development mule’ that will not only feature in the First Glance Paddock at next weekend’s Festival of Speed, but also run up the hill each day.
While confirmation of its attendance was accompanied by the two pictures you see here, the brand is still not saying much about the test car’s design (which obviously bears more than a passing resemblance to its predecessor), though it has opted to name it. The Alpine A110 Future is intended to ‘reflect its role in shaping the next generation’ of the incoming model, which, taken literally, means that we’re already looking at a fair approximation of what it will look like, certainly in terms of scale and proportions.
As you might expect, this tallies with the pictures of the underlying Alpine Performance Platform released back in March, which suggested that the EV acorn would not fall too far from the existing tree. What better way to convince existing A110 owners, and its wider fanbase, that their concerns have been met? The details and final form of the bodywork are sure to change over time, but given the rash of controversial EV designs that have proliferated in recent months, the idea that we’re very much heading for an A110 'Mk2' ought to be of great comfort to many.
Alpine has been no less reassuring about what we can expect to find underneath. As a reminder, the electric A110 will position its two battery packs in such a way that they provide the car with a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, and distribute their charge to an all-new dual-motor 3-in-1 e-axle at the back. An SiC inverter is said to help with ‘exceptional torque, performance and ultrafast control’, though equal attention is apparently being paid to the fully aluminium suspension, and new integrated braking and steering systems.
Naturally, Alpine has already suggested that the new A110 will outperform ‘the best of today’s combustion sports cars’ - which suggests that it will be outputting significantly more power than the outgoing model - but remaining true to its established DNA is still said to be a guiding light for the EV’s development. That has always been the justifying case for the development of its bespoke architecture (much as it was for its mid-engined predecessor), though it will this time spawn more iterations, including a 2+2 and a convertible.
Also, as seems increasingly likely, a combustion model. Alpine has thus far been unwilling to confirm much beyond the physical reality that its new modular platform could be configured to accept petrol power, though confirmation that Porsche will seek to offer its Cayman replacement with an engine makes it likely that its direct rival will follow suit. But don’t expect to hear any more about that at Goodwood. All the talk will likely be of how familiar the new A110 seems - and how fast it looks on the famous hillclimb.
Am I doing this right?
Being serious for a second, it does look kinda like an A110 that someone made in their garage out of an MR2 or something. It has all the right the styling cues, but seems to have lost the pertness that the original has.
I just hope the noises about more aggressive styling and around 500ish hp aren’t true. I like the current A110, looking a bit weird/cute instead of some massive threatening looking lump like most modern cars, and with an amount of power you have a chance of using
Am I doing this right?
I'm excited about the new car. If someone wants an ICE A110, well, there are ~100 for sale on Autotrader right now, take your pick.
I don't have much interest in a new ICE A110 mostly because I already have one and intend on keeping it, but also because I don't see what gains they could make without making it heavier or more expensive.
What significant improvements have been made in the way of materials since 2017 that would allow them to shave a significant amount of weight from an ICE version, without making it more expensive? What improvements have been made in suspension in the same time to allow it to ride better? What improvements have been made to ordinary 4cyl ICE engines to allow it to be more characterful or more powerful?
Sure, they could make another ICE car, but it'd almost certainly be incremental improvement over the last and it'd almost certainly be more expensive, when the last one was already accused of being too much money by many. It still won't have a manual gearbox, it still won't have a V6, it still wont be under a ton for those that said it wasn't light enough. What's the point?
Electric is at least new, and different. And who knows, for those that can put their prejudice aside it might actually be really good. The only real critical thought I have when looking at this mule is that I don't like how much wider it appears to be than the one in my garage, the dimensions are part of what made the last one so good.
And I do see weight loss as a 'next frontier' for EV's. I think vehicles like this will lead a spiral of weight loss, which will have so many benefits.
Electric is at least new, and different. And who knows, for those that can put their prejudice aside it might actually be really good. The only real critical thought I have when looking at this mule is that I don't like how much wider it appears to be than the one in my garage, the dimensions are part of what made the last one so good.
Having had an electric Renault 5 for about month, I've been genuinly surprised how much fun it is to drive. I did drive the Alpine A290 too, but I preferred the suspension on the 5. If they can keep the ride decent like the outgoing A110 I'm sure they'll be onto a winner.
I imagine they'd get away with a bit less weight than that even if they stuck to the same battery. But also, given the shape I'd expect the range to be better than the 5 anyway.
No, that's not light compared to the outgoing A110 (1100KG), but it would still undercut a lot of other cars. It's not much heavier than the petrol Cayman/Boxster. With a smaller battery it might get into the same weight class. I know renault have some new LFP batteriest coming to the 5 next year which are meant to be lighter.
Electric does not stir me. Within reason I don't care about acceleration times and horsepower, so what exactly would be the point?
Just as well we are not all looking for the same thing in a purely recreational car.
I quite understand why they will produce a BEV. Now that ICE cars are to become, by definition, retro, why not produce a simple, pure, manual, NA version? Perhaps I'm wrong and they have researched and rejected it.
Response will be sharper and it's not like the ICE was a high-rev thriller. A nice NA multi-cylinder engine and a slick manual box would obviously be far preferable. But not convinced losing the farty four banger and dual-clutch box is a bad thing, with inevitable weight proviso.
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