Explain the appeal of the A110
Discussion
I finally got a short test drive of the A110 last weekend, and was underwhelmed. This was a massive disappointment as I was seriously considering buying one.
I'm not posting here to criticise the car, but to invite owners to explain the kind of driving that makes the car come alive. Maybe if I understand that I'll arrange a longer test and give it another go.
For context: I have no particular driving talent and haven't owned many nice cars, though I currently own a 991.1 GT3 RS. Before that, the most fun cars I had were a Caterham Fireblade, MX-5, Mini Cooper S, and a couple of Model 3s (sorry, but they are fun as a daily driver IMO). This small selection but which covers several relevant points of reference: naturally aspirated vs forced induction, manual vs auto, light weight, road and track focused.
Having watched the Intercooler podcast on the A110, I was expecting to immediately love it. They made some point about it feeling immediately right in the first 50 metres. I didn't get that. I thought it rode and steered fine but there was no magic and it didn't feel like an event to drive.
I got out on to a stretch of bumpy country road, did a couple of roundabouts, and headed back a bit nonplussed (I had been held up for various reasons, the dealer was closing and didn't seem keen to let me have it for longer).
My overwhelming impression was of neutrality, but I found the combination of auto box and turbocharging made it feel really laggy, like it had two modes of operation: cruising and "on it", with a sharp transition between the two. The engine sounded bad but I wasn't expecting much and that never really bothered me in the MX5 or Mini.
Every single motoring journo whose opinion I trust has said that it's brilliant. Gordon Murray owns one. What the hell is wrong with me?
Is it a car that needs to be driven at 8-10/10ths and on twisty B-roads to feel great? This is how I felt with the Mini. Evo raved about it but I lived on the outskirts of London at the time and I just remember the awful throttle response.
I know there are good engineering reasons why it doesn't have a manual but I can't help thinking it would be a completely different car with one, there would be more interaction at all speeds. The 3RS is auto but its PDK feels much better than the Alpine's, and the throttle response is incomparable. Maybe EVs have also spoiled my expectations for "throttle" response.
Overall I feel like the A110 might well be one of the very best new cars on sale, but that there might be more fun elsewhere for under £55k, like a well maintained TVR or a Rocketeer MX5.
What do you love about the car?
I'm not posting here to criticise the car, but to invite owners to explain the kind of driving that makes the car come alive. Maybe if I understand that I'll arrange a longer test and give it another go.
For context: I have no particular driving talent and haven't owned many nice cars, though I currently own a 991.1 GT3 RS. Before that, the most fun cars I had were a Caterham Fireblade, MX-5, Mini Cooper S, and a couple of Model 3s (sorry, but they are fun as a daily driver IMO). This small selection but which covers several relevant points of reference: naturally aspirated vs forced induction, manual vs auto, light weight, road and track focused.
Having watched the Intercooler podcast on the A110, I was expecting to immediately love it. They made some point about it feeling immediately right in the first 50 metres. I didn't get that. I thought it rode and steered fine but there was no magic and it didn't feel like an event to drive.
I got out on to a stretch of bumpy country road, did a couple of roundabouts, and headed back a bit nonplussed (I had been held up for various reasons, the dealer was closing and didn't seem keen to let me have it for longer).
My overwhelming impression was of neutrality, but I found the combination of auto box and turbocharging made it feel really laggy, like it had two modes of operation: cruising and "on it", with a sharp transition between the two. The engine sounded bad but I wasn't expecting much and that never really bothered me in the MX5 or Mini.
Every single motoring journo whose opinion I trust has said that it's brilliant. Gordon Murray owns one. What the hell is wrong with me?
Is it a car that needs to be driven at 8-10/10ths and on twisty B-roads to feel great? This is how I felt with the Mini. Evo raved about it but I lived on the outskirts of London at the time and I just remember the awful throttle response.
I know there are good engineering reasons why it doesn't have a manual but I can't help thinking it would be a completely different car with one, there would be more interaction at all speeds. The 3RS is auto but its PDK feels much better than the Alpine's, and the throttle response is incomparable. Maybe EVs have also spoiled my expectations for "throttle" response.
Overall I feel like the A110 might well be one of the very best new cars on sale, but that there might be more fun elsewhere for under £55k, like a well maintained TVR or a Rocketeer MX5.
What do you love about the car?
Edited by HundredthIdiot on Saturday 13th September 13:01
When I test drove one a few years ago, the Winchester dealer let me take it out for a couple of hours. I spent them driving the car on some fine roads in the South Downs. Like you, after reading the glowing reports, I expected to be grabbed by it immediately. I wasn't, but still recognised it as good driving car. I thought the hype around the car created false expectations for me. After a couple weeks I went back for another drive. Different test car. It felt better (I understand they do feel quite different if things like the geo, tyre pressures etc are not right).
I liked it more on the second drive, and ordered a new car, the base A110. Don't know why I did, because I still wasn't 100% with the car. That was four years ago. When the car arrived in 2022, I liked it but it still didn't grab me emotionally. I think initially I was more attracted by it looks than its driving enjoyment. Also at the time, I had another car I enjoyed and used more.
However after the first year, the more I drove it the more liked it. It revealed it capabilities slowly to me, a sort of acquired taste. Now, having driven it for 3 three years I absolutely love it. Driven it on multiple road trips in Europe, where Ive enjoyed driving it more than any other car on the same road. But, it's not only there, or 9/10ths on a B road, just driving it to Tescos or on the M25,it's enjoyable. It just feels different to anything else. All ive done with the car is had the Life110 geometry done. Now it's out of warranty I may do further upgrades.
Based on what you've said, you may be like me, and take a while to get to know and love this great car? I think all the initial hype maybe created false expectations for me initially, but now I see the journalists were spot on.
I liked it more on the second drive, and ordered a new car, the base A110. Don't know why I did, because I still wasn't 100% with the car. That was four years ago. When the car arrived in 2022, I liked it but it still didn't grab me emotionally. I think initially I was more attracted by it looks than its driving enjoyment. Also at the time, I had another car I enjoyed and used more.
However after the first year, the more I drove it the more liked it. It revealed it capabilities slowly to me, a sort of acquired taste. Now, having driven it for 3 three years I absolutely love it. Driven it on multiple road trips in Europe, where Ive enjoyed driving it more than any other car on the same road. But, it's not only there, or 9/10ths on a B road, just driving it to Tescos or on the M25,it's enjoyable. It just feels different to anything else. All ive done with the car is had the Life110 geometry done. Now it's out of warranty I may do further upgrades.
Based on what you've said, you may be like me, and take a while to get to know and love this great car? I think all the initial hype maybe created false expectations for me initially, but now I see the journalists were spot on.
Reggid85 said:
When I test drove one a few years ago, the Winchester dealer let me take it out for a couple of hours. I spent them driving the car on some fine roads in the South Downs. Like you, after reading the glowing reports, I expected to be grabbed by it immediately. I wasn't, but still recognised it as good driving car. I thought the hype around the car created false expectations for me. After a couple weeks I went back for another drive. Different test car. It felt better (I understand they do feel quite different if things like the geo, tyre pressures etc are not right).
I liked it more on the second drive, and ordered a new car, the base A110. Don't know why I did, because I still wasn't 100% with the car. That was four years ago. When the car arrived in 2022, I liked it but it still didn't grab me emotionally. I think initially I was more attracted by it looks than its driving enjoyment. Also at the time, I had another car I enjoyed and used more.
However after the first year, the more I drove it the more liked it. It revealed it capabilities slowly to me, a sort of acquired taste. Now, having driven it for 3 three years I absolutely love it. Driven it on multiple road trips in Europe, where Ive enjoyed driving it more than any other car on the same road. But, it's not only there, or 9/10ths on a B road, just driving it to Tescos or on the M25,it's enjoyable. It just feels different to anything else. All ive done with the car is had the Life110 geometry done. Now it's out of warranty I may do further upgrades.
Based on what you've said, you may be like me, and take a while to get to know and love this great car? I think all the initial hype maybe created false expectations for me initially, but now I see the journalists were spot on.
That's really insightful, thanks!I liked it more on the second drive, and ordered a new car, the base A110. Don't know why I did, because I still wasn't 100% with the car. That was four years ago. When the car arrived in 2022, I liked it but it still didn't grab me emotionally. I think initially I was more attracted by it looks than its driving enjoyment. Also at the time, I had another car I enjoyed and used more.
However after the first year, the more I drove it the more liked it. It revealed it capabilities slowly to me, a sort of acquired taste. Now, having driven it for 3 three years I absolutely love it. Driven it on multiple road trips in Europe, where Ive enjoyed driving it more than any other car on the same road. But, it's not only there, or 9/10ths on a B road, just driving it to Tescos or on the M25,it's enjoyable. It just feels different to anything else. All ive done with the car is had the Life110 geometry done. Now it's out of warranty I may do further upgrades.
Based on what you've said, you may be like me, and take a while to get to know and love this great car? I think all the initial hype maybe created false expectations for me initially, but now I see the journalists were spot on.
I guess maybe the journos have such fine-tuned car-dar that they can see the potential immediately.
What differences did the Life110 geo make?
The Life110 geo made the steering feel a little more "stable" at higher speeds on motorway. That was the main benefit, and I'm led to believe, at all speeds and cornering, but im not an accomplished enough driver have noticed it that much. I may do now that Im used to the car.
Also, as you have/had a Porsche and some other great drivers cars, you are used to, or expect great driving dynamics, so yet another great drivers car like the A110, will perhaps take longer to reveal its qualities to you? At least I thought that was a factor in my case, having driven or owned Porsches, caterhams, Ariels etc.
The motoring journalists, it's their living so "get it" straight away. Although, some normal car buyers can as well. I envy them, I take a while. Especially if its a significant financial commitment
Also, as you have/had a Porsche and some other great drivers cars, you are used to, or expect great driving dynamics, so yet another great drivers car like the A110, will perhaps take longer to reveal its qualities to you? At least I thought that was a factor in my case, having driven or owned Porsches, caterhams, Ariels etc.
The motoring journalists, it's their living so "get it" straight away. Although, some normal car buyers can as well. I envy them, I take a while. Especially if its a significant financial commitment
Edited by Reggid85 on Saturday 13th September 14:19
I found the main benefit of the Life110 geometry was improved resistance to understeer and sharper turn in. It does also help with higher speed stability.
I had a GT for a year then bought an S. I prefer the more tied down feeling but the main ‘specialness’ of both is the lightweight chassis response.
I came from an F80 M3 Competition, so it was completely different driving experience that made it easy to enjoy the Alpine.
I use mine as my daily and really enjoy it every day.
I’d think it would be pretty hard to feel special next to a GT3 RS though.
Why not give an A110 R a go, might be a better comparison as a more occasional use car
I had a GT for a year then bought an S. I prefer the more tied down feeling but the main ‘specialness’ of both is the lightweight chassis response.
I came from an F80 M3 Competition, so it was completely different driving experience that made it easy to enjoy the Alpine.
I use mine as my daily and really enjoy it every day.
I’d think it would be pretty hard to feel special next to a GT3 RS though.
Why not give an A110 R a go, might be a better comparison as a more occasional use car
It's OK not to like it.
I liked it pretty much straight away; I'd test driven a Morgan Roadster (fantastic fun but not really much use for me) and an Evora S a few weeks before, and was expecting to end up with an Evora.
For me the A110 rode nicely - firm but not harsh - and was a better pootler than either of the above (the Morgan required constant steering adjustments to stay in a straight line, which is great when you're "out for a drive" but a bit much when you're just going somewhere, the Lotus was a bit noisy and the constant chatter from the steering got old).
It's a nice midway between a stripped-out Elise type thing and a normal car, but has all the amenities of a modern supermini. In normal mode it'll pootle around town easily, in sport mode it's a lot sharper. When you push it a bit it does feel light - it's not bludgeoning the road, it's a bit floatier without being vague.
But, as I say, it's OK not to like it. I was going to say "not to get it" but I think that might have suggested that anyone who doesn't like it is somehow deficient, and that's not how I feel. Personally I don't think it'd be better with a manual - if both had been offered I'd have tried both and bought whichever I had more fun in - I suspect it'd be the auto.
I liked it pretty much straight away; I'd test driven a Morgan Roadster (fantastic fun but not really much use for me) and an Evora S a few weeks before, and was expecting to end up with an Evora.
For me the A110 rode nicely - firm but not harsh - and was a better pootler than either of the above (the Morgan required constant steering adjustments to stay in a straight line, which is great when you're "out for a drive" but a bit much when you're just going somewhere, the Lotus was a bit noisy and the constant chatter from the steering got old).
It's a nice midway between a stripped-out Elise type thing and a normal car, but has all the amenities of a modern supermini. In normal mode it'll pootle around town easily, in sport mode it's a lot sharper. When you push it a bit it does feel light - it's not bludgeoning the road, it's a bit floatier without being vague.
But, as I say, it's OK not to like it. I was going to say "not to get it" but I think that might have suggested that anyone who doesn't like it is somehow deficient, and that's not how I feel. Personally I don't think it'd be better with a manual - if both had been offered I'd have tried both and bought whichever I had more fun in - I suspect it'd be the auto.
OP, I think you ve been spoilt by the GT3 RS. For me the A110 is delightful: great steering and ride (well in my GT anyway), chuckable, performance when you want it, yet refined at moderate speeds when you re not really pressing on. I think it s good for an auto but it s on as immediate as a good NA manual.
Have another, longer test drive and get to know one better? At least you ll have a better basis for a judgment. Note what others have said about the A110’s charm growing on you.
Have another, longer test drive and get to know one better? At least you ll have a better basis for a judgment. Note what others have said about the A110’s charm growing on you.
Edited by Maxym on Sunday 14th September 07:59
Maxym said:
OP, I think you ve been spoilt by the GT3 RS. For me the A110 is delightful: great steering and ride, chuckable, performance when you want it, yet refined at moderate speeds when you re not really pressing on. I think it s good for an auto but it s on as immediate as a good NA manual.
Have another, longer test drive and get to know one better? At least you ll have a better basis for a judgment.
The 3RS is objectively a poor road car, as my wife pointed out succinctly the only time she got in it ("this is stupid"). That's one of the reasons I adore it, and previously passed on a 992 GT3 Touring, because that felt too refined (and I hankered after a manual).Have another, longer test drive and get to know one better? At least you ll have a better basis for a judgment.
It may be that it's incredibly difficult or even impossible to make a modern car that is both exciting at legal speeds and competent, that the joy of driving exists in the fine details, and in those fine details the A110 shines.
But I think the auto box may be an insurmountable barrier and that I should leave the Alpines for those who have the refined taste to fully appreciate them.
Thanks for all the responses, nothing beats owner impressions. I feel I can now admire these cars properly.
HundredthIdiot said:
The 3RS is objectively a poor road car, as my wife pointed out succinctly the only time she got in it ("this is stupid"). That's one of the reasons I adore it, and previously passed on a 992 GT3 Touring, because that felt too refined (and I hankered after a manual).
It may be that it's incredibly difficult or even impossible to make a modern car that is both exciting at legal speeds and competent, that the joy of driving exists in the fine details, and in those fine details the A110 shines.
But I think the auto box may be an insurmountable barrier and that I should leave the Alpines for those who have the refined taste to fully appreciate them.
Thanks for all the responses, nothing beats owner impressions. I feel I can now admire these cars properly.
Having just bought an Evora GT410 Sport and previously owned a Noble M400 I’d def try both of those.It may be that it's incredibly difficult or even impossible to make a modern car that is both exciting at legal speeds and competent, that the joy of driving exists in the fine details, and in those fine details the A110 shines.
But I think the auto box may be an insurmountable barrier and that I should leave the Alpines for those who have the refined taste to fully appreciate them.
Thanks for all the responses, nothing beats owner impressions. I feel I can now admire these cars properly.
As others have said you have set the bar very high with a 3RS & bike engined 7, the A110 (particularly on a test drive) is never going to feel an event like those two. Engine and gearbox combo far exceeded my expectations on first acquaintance, however this was acknowledging price point and at the end of the day that it s a 1.8 blown 4 pot. If razor sharp NA throttle response is high on the list you wont get it in an A110. There is however really nice mid range punch combined perfectly with gear ratios that keep you busy (in a good way) when pressing on. The DCT is probably not as good as a PDK but that said I can t ever recall it not doing what I wanted in 4 years of ownership, I always use in manual when driving for fun.
We like the size, weight, mid engine attributes, feeling of wanting to change direction, spacious cabin, ground clearance, & suspension travel. Feels (to me) like you can chuck it round like a really good fun hot hatch but mid engined and rwd.
Bandwidth is also a huge benefit of the A110, it does pretty much everything for us from all the dull stuff, shopping, commuting etc through to tearing down off piste single track on the NC500 and big European driving tours. One of my best drives ever was in the A110 chasing a group of far more exotic cars over a long Alpine pass, I was at the back pedalling very hard to keep up with the 3RS in front of me. We were going quite quick and I was (for me) pedalling very hard, I recall saying to my wife that I wouldn t swap for any of the exotica in front, the A110 feeling so good dancing around approaching its limits.
Last thing I would say is the car is quite sensitive to suspension set up and choice of suspension, the soft car is very much an acquired taste and a very different approach to virtually anything on the market. I can imagine jumping out of the precision and flatness of a 3RS into a base A110 and wondering what it is all about. Also much press talk about the base car being a much better road car than the S, I would say both equally good just different in approach.
We like the size, weight, mid engine attributes, feeling of wanting to change direction, spacious cabin, ground clearance, & suspension travel. Feels (to me) like you can chuck it round like a really good fun hot hatch but mid engined and rwd.
Bandwidth is also a huge benefit of the A110, it does pretty much everything for us from all the dull stuff, shopping, commuting etc through to tearing down off piste single track on the NC500 and big European driving tours. One of my best drives ever was in the A110 chasing a group of far more exotic cars over a long Alpine pass, I was at the back pedalling very hard to keep up with the 3RS in front of me. We were going quite quick and I was (for me) pedalling very hard, I recall saying to my wife that I wouldn t swap for any of the exotica in front, the A110 feeling so good dancing around approaching its limits.
Last thing I would say is the car is quite sensitive to suspension set up and choice of suspension, the soft car is very much an acquired taste and a very different approach to virtually anything on the market. I can imagine jumping out of the precision and flatness of a 3RS into a base A110 and wondering what it is all about. Also much press talk about the base car being a much better road car than the S, I would say both equally good just different in approach.
Edited by Simon Owen on Sunday 14th September 09:26
After reading further fantastic replies, a few youtube video rewatches, and introspection, I've concluded that the most likely truth is that I'm simply wrong.
With the minor quibble of the auto box, this car sounds like everything that I believe I like.
I need to get a longer test drive.
With the minor quibble of the auto box, this car sounds like everything that I believe I like.
I need to get a longer test drive.
People like different things. People who enjoy driving appreciate different things from a car.
Matt Prior at AutoCar refers to the A110 as ‘our favourite sportscar of recent years’, but he doesn’t say ‘the best’.
I’ve met an owner who replaced the Alpine with a Caymen S because ‘the Porsche is the same but better’.
For me it’s not the ultimate sports car. If I was looking for an occasional toy it wouldn’t have been my choice (I already have a much lighter roads legal track car). It’s a very practical all rounder that’s really nice to drive at normal speeds, on fast A roads, and the tightest of B roads. It’s not a featherweight, but it is light by modern standards. And that lightness is noticeable, and something I appreciate more than extra grunt from the engine. The drivetrain does a good enough job, but i’d have bought a manual N/A if the option has been available.
If the base Caymen GT models had been the same price as the Base A110, then I might have made a different decision (but not sure I’d want a fast Porsche as a daily driver in the UK). But £55k Caymen GT4/S would be very used, and you can’t compare new vs old prices.
TL/DR: it’s my favourite sports car you can buy new for £55k. It’s not the best sports car that has ever been made.
Matt Prior at AutoCar refers to the A110 as ‘our favourite sportscar of recent years’, but he doesn’t say ‘the best’.
I’ve met an owner who replaced the Alpine with a Caymen S because ‘the Porsche is the same but better’.
For me it’s not the ultimate sports car. If I was looking for an occasional toy it wouldn’t have been my choice (I already have a much lighter roads legal track car). It’s a very practical all rounder that’s really nice to drive at normal speeds, on fast A roads, and the tightest of B roads. It’s not a featherweight, but it is light by modern standards. And that lightness is noticeable, and something I appreciate more than extra grunt from the engine. The drivetrain does a good enough job, but i’d have bought a manual N/A if the option has been available.
If the base Caymen GT models had been the same price as the Base A110, then I might have made a different decision (but not sure I’d want a fast Porsche as a daily driver in the UK). But £55k Caymen GT4/S would be very used, and you can’t compare new vs old prices.
TL/DR: it’s my favourite sports car you can buy new for £55k. It’s not the best sports car that has ever been made.
I had my first test drive in a very low mileage 5 year old car and was deeply unimpressed. Over the next week I convinced myself that the test drive wasn't long enough and went back to the dealer who then had another similar age but higher mileage car. Very different drive and I bought it. Soon after I was concerned by its unstable drive , particularly on motorways so got the tracking set to the Life 110 settings. At the time found that the original setting were some what out from spec. It did transform the car and now 18 months down the line very pleased with it. But I was lent a S model during a recall replacement of the alternator and preferred the stiffer drive, but not enough to justify swapping
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