Alpine A110 owners

[Martyn P]

Just got back from a business trip to Lincolnshire. Had to visit Louth area, so took a bit of time to detour and test the car on some well known roads along the Wolds. The car handled the corners and undulations superbly. Around Cadwell and ‘Caistor High Street’ the driving was phenomenal and very little other traffic was a bonus. Can see why the bikers rate the area so highly.

In the end 500 mile round trip and an average of 40mpg with mixed driving on Motorways and back roads. As an everyday driver and for long hauls can not fault the car, very comfortable.
Only downside, on motorways and A roads every hot hatch wants to test your mettle at junctions and traffic lights. Glad to say when I could be bothered could not be bettered (except for a remarkably fast young man in an Astra who was on a mission - potential new F1 star).

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

On the Focal site it says 40Hz deeper, though they don't give a detailed response. First link is the system with sub. They claim down to 20Hz which I think relies on unconventional measurement standards. For some reason, Hifi manufacturers don't seem to like +/-3dB bandwidth, or posting the actual response curves.

https://www.focal.com/en/automotive-partners/focal...

https://www.focal.com/en/automotive-partners/focal...

There are some interesting new ways of improving speaker response with DSP and speaker monitoring in the commercial stuff. It's started appearing in prosumer desktop monitors, but I'm not sure it's in non-specialist car stuff yet.

I didn't see that so I assumed the sub was the same as their regular car offering. As you imply 20Hz is a bit implausible. Sad to see a very respected hifi manufacturer being a bit "creative" with the figures.

[Martyn P]

bcr5784 said:

Sporky said:

On the Focal site it says 40Hz deeper, though they don't give a detailed response. First link is the system with sub. They claim down to 20Hz which I think relies on unconventional measurement standards. For some reason, Hifi manufacturers don't seem to like +/-3dB bandwidth, or posting the actual response curves.

https://www.focal.com/en/automotive-partners/focal...

https://www.focal.com/en/automotive-partners/focal...

There are some interesting new ways of improving speaker response with DSP and speaker monitoring in the commercial stuff. It's started appearing in prosumer desktop monitors, but I'm not sure it's in non-specialist car stuff yet.

I didn't see that so I assumed the sub was the same as their regular car offering. As you imply 20Hz is a bit implausible. Sad to see a very respected hifi manufacturer being a bit "creative" with the figures.

Well I have just been in the car and run a bass test . Down to 20Hz very clear response from the subs and can still hear down to 10Hz. Below 10 can still discern something but then again my ears are shot from to much NWOBHM from back in the day. So I think the 20Hz claim is definitely OK.

My opinion, with the amplifier, sub and graphic equaliser the sound system should be able to be adjusted to suit most peoples taste (you can always turn the sub off if you want in the equaliser).

HiFi maybe not - but great for a soundtrack when blasting along the road with the windows down.

[Sporky]

Martyn P said:

Well I have just been in the car and run a bass test . Down to 20Hz very clear response from the subs and can still hear down to 10Hz. Below 10 can still discern something but then again my ears are shot from to much NWOBHM from back in the day. So I think the 20Hz claim is definitely OK.

My opinion, with the amplifier, sub and graphic equaliser the sound system should be able to be adjusted to suit most peoples taste (you can always turn the sub off if you want in the equaliser).

HiFi maybe not - but great for a soundtrack when blasting along the road with the windows down.

Most interesting on the testing - all my kit is back at the office, and I've not been there for well over a year now (and we have a talented young whippersnapper doing commissioning these days anyway).

I wonder how much is down to what music we each listen to - I don't do classic rock or techno (though I'm partial to a bit of cheesy DnB from time to time).

[biggles330d]

Martyn P said:

Just got back from a business trip to Lincolnshire. Had to visit Louth area, so took a bit of time to detour and test the car on some well known roads along the Wolds. The car handled the corners and undulations superbly. Around Cadwell and ‘Caistor High Street’ the driving was phenomenal and very little other traffic was a bonus. Can see why the bikers rate the area so highly.

In the end 500 mile round trip and an average of 40mpg with mixed driving on Motorways and back roads. As an everyday driver and for long hauls can not fault the car, very comfortable.
Only downside, on motorways and A roads every hot hatch wants to test your mettle at junctions and traffic lights. Glad to say when I could be bothered could not be bettered (except for a remarkably fast young man in an Astra who was on a mission - potential new F1 star).

500 miles in a single trip, my sort of trip! I'm hoping mine will arrive just before I have to go from Scotland to the Goodwood Revival so I can clear off the running-in over a decent few days. I'm encouraged at your view of it over long hauls, my motivation for purchase is definitely more mini-GT than track day blasts. 40mpg is pretty decent too as an average.

[BarryGibb]

Frada01 said:

bcr5784 said:

Only in Track mode just before the limiter. Shouldn't do it any other time. Not aware of an option to switch it on or off. Or are you having difficulty differentiating between a beep and a fart?

Edited by bcr5784 on Wednesday 9th June 16:49

Edited by bcr5784 on Wednesday 9th June 17:16

I'm getting to that age where the hearing is worsening and the bowls are loosening.

Bit of an update on the beep. Only happens in sport mode only and happens every time I decelerate or the car changes gear automatically. The beep is coming from behind my head so managed to record it today. Can make it happen at will. Very Very annoying. That and the squeaking bloody seat is driving me insane.

Edited by Frada01 on Thursday 10th June 17:07

Mine has a squeak from behind my head - I recall it's related to the sports exhaust valving. Alpine are aware of it but no fix available yet.

[Miserablegit]

Sporky said:

Most interesting on the testing - all my kit is back at the office, and I've not been there for well over a year now (and we have a talented young whippersnapper doing commissioning these days anyway).

I wonder how much is down to what music we each listen to - I don't do classic rock or techno (though I'm partial to a bit of cheesy DnB from time to time).

You don't do classic rock???? How can you claim to have expertise in the audio realm when you "don't do classic rock".
Ye gods- what is the world coming to???

Next thing you'll be telling me is that a man only needs one guitar.

[Sporky]

Miserablegit said:

You don't do classic rock???? How can you claim to have expertise in the audio realm when you "don't do classic rock".
Ye gods- what is the world coming to???

Next thing you'll be telling me is that a man only needs one guitar.

There may exist a man who only needs one guitar.

Seems unlikely, and I don't want to meet him if he does.

[xondat]

CharleyFarley66 said:

Franzino very helpfully raised the issue of the A110's infotainment system, ie. that 'a reputable car infotainment specialist would be able to do that (ie. the Focal sub) and install Apple CarPlay...'

It's the latter I'm particularly interested in: so far, I've tried two infotainment system specialists (one of whom has dealt with the same issues for most other high-end marques including a Veyron!), but both came back after doing some research to tell me that replacing the 'head' of the A110's infotainment system was, effectively, impossible.

I'd love to be able simply to mirror (instead of just pairing) my iPhone and use the excellent Waze satnav via the A110's infotainment screen.

Has anyone here - or elsewhere, if it's known by PH contributors to this thread - managed to find a specialist who has successfully set up the A110's infotainment system and screen to mirror iPhones and provide CarPlay?

The infotainment is a massive let down for me so I've poured a bunch of time into the topic. I don't have my A110 yet (hopefully the 23rd!) but I figured the best way might be to make my own. Of course with this I'll lose the stock system, but it doesn't seem useful apart from the telemetrics side.

Currently I've got a Raspberry Pi based system with working CarPlay. All "off the shelf" parts which was important to me, but it requires wiring between all the components. It's all based upon this great video & channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGFAo9j1vSc Eventually I'd like to have a custom PCB designed to combine the power converter, and 2 relays (bottom right red board and far left green board) to tidy things up, and make everything a bit more compact. For reference, this is all mounted to screen that is about 8.5" diagonal.



For what it's worth, CarPlay requires 2 things: an Android based system, and a custom chip. Android is easy to get on a Raspberry Pi, and the chip can easily be found on wireless CarPlay adapters online.

My goal is to have a stock looking system, including the housing that mounts to the dashboard. I have some further testing to do regarding the power supply from the car, so currently just waiting until I can collect my car from PPF. Hopefully I can report back at the end of the month

Edited by xondat on Monday 14th June 03:22

[FrenchA110]

Awesome project ! Hope it works out. Would like a software update to allow CarPlay but seems hopeless at this point lol. Used to use my phone instead of the central screen anyway so not a big deal.

[Franzino]

Came back from 3 days of driving @ Nürburgring and fitted a small badge of honor on the car.

It was my 3the ring visit with the Alpine since it arrived in our garage late 2019. To give some back reference; I also have another car I use occasionally on track and my amount of ringlaps that I drove in total is + 350 (so I know my way around). There was also a friend with the A110S that joined me. If forummembers have questions about the Alpine on Nürburgring or how big the difference is between Légende/Pure vs A110S on track...just ask

I drove:
- A110 Légende (2019)
- Pagid RS-29 pads
- Fuchs wheels with A110S tyres (PSS 4)
- Life110 springs
- Life110 fast road alignement
- ATE high temp brake oil
- Steel brake lines
- Extra cooling ducts underneath and in wheel arches (introduced on Alpine models in 2020)

My friend:
- A110S (2021)
- High temp brake oil
- AP racing discs + bell (original front discs destroyed after 1 heavy trackday)
- Pagid RST-1 pads

[domrusty]

I’m asking

What was it like?! I’ve watched a few A110 Nurburgring laps on YouTube. Some of which look pretty lively! Definitely interested to know how the two compared with the Legende / Life110 vs A110S chassis.

PS: cool place for the sticker!

[Miserablegit]

Sporky said:

There may exist a man who only needs one guitar.

Seems unlikely, and I don't want to meet him if he does.

Thank goodness!

Hope you are enjoying the car.

I’ve just returned from a quick sail- main and jib from a racing dinghy, sailing kit, 4 pot noodles and a cleaning kit all fit in perfectly. I really don’t think there is a storage issue aside from the lack of door bins for telephones and wallets.

[Sporky]

Miserablegit said:

Thank goodness!

Hope you are enjoying the car.

When we moved house I gave away half a dozen guitars - former neighbour is a guitar teacher so I figured he had students who'd appreciate a starter or upgrade. Didn't make as much of a dent as I'd hoped.

Still nowhere near exploring the edges of what the A110 can do, but it's ace. Off to see a supplier tomorrow - only 30 miles or so but I'm still really looking forward to it.

[Miserablegit]

xondat said:

The infotainment is a massive let down for me so I've poured a bunch of time into the topic. I don't have my A110 yet (hopefully the 23rd!) but I figured the best way might be to make my own. Of course with this I'll lose the stock system, but it doesn't seem useful apart from the telemetrics side.

Currently I've got a Raspberry Pi based system with working CarPlay. All "off the shelf" parts which was important to me, but it requires wiring between all the components. It's all based upon this great video & channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGFAo9j1vSc Eventually I'd like to have a custom PCB designed to combine the power converter, and 2 relays (bottom right red board and far left green board) to tidy things up, and make everything a bit more compact. For reference, this is all mounted to screen that is about 8.5" diagonal.



For what it's worth, CarPlay requires 2 things: an Android based system, and a custom chip. Android is easy to get on a Raspberry Pi, and the chip can easily be found on wireless CarPlay adapters online.

My goal is to have a stock looking system, including the housing that mounts to the dashboard. I have some further testing to do regarding the power supply from the car, so currently just waiting until I can collect my car from PPF. Hopefully I can report back at the end of the month

Edited by xondat on Monday 14th June 03:22

Looks interesting - when you get the car there is a page in the manual that looks as though there was originally an option for no radio - it shows 12v and antenna availability behind a cubby hole where the screen now is.
Hopefully the screen can be removed easily.

[Fudgie01]

Quick question, over the last 6 months my car has developed a metallic vibration under engine braking, initial only in 2nd & 3rd at low ish speed which was accentuate when in sports mode. This has got progressively worse and now happens when i back off in any gear and at any, audible on the motorway over the radio and normal road / wind noise.
I reported this to Alpine Winchester last month when the car was in for a service, they stated the couldn’t find anything loose (exhaust heat shield etc) and just put some tape on the engine cover mounting points. This hadn’t made any difference and in fact at the weekend i took the cover off snd drove around which made no difference to the vibration. One other point I’ve recently notice the vibration only starts once the engine is up to temperature, so nothing in the first 5 to 10 miles.
Any thoughts before its back to Winchester? I want it resolved before the warranty expires mid August!

[springfan62]

Could it be related to the sports exhaust?

[biggles330d]

This video made me pine for our annual French road trip that has been abandoned for two years now... We were in Annecy a couple of years back and it's fabulous. And in the right car! It'll be the sort of trip I'll be planning for next year when my A110 is here. Either that or Italy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPsoReM6MNw

[Sporky]

In contrast to all the photos of A110s in stunning scenery, this was my trip yesterday - to an industrial estate just outside Bracknell. Perhaps not quite as glamourous, but still a lovely outing.

[bcr5784]

biggles330d said:

This video made me pine for our annual French road trip that has been abandoned for two years now... We were in Annecy a couple of years back and it's fabulous. And in the right car! It'll be the sort of trip I'll be planning for next year when my A110 is here. Either that or Italy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPsoReM6MNw

I wouldn't take much (any?) notice of his review of the tyres. Unless you do back to tests on the same roads you can't draw any conclusions unless the tyres are incredibly good or bad in one area. Tyre noise varies massively depending on surface - and Britain has the noisiest motorway surfaces of any country I've driven in. I'm not dismissing the Bridgestones - they may be very good.