RE: Alpine A110: Driven

[culpz]

ben5575 said:

Not really. I think it's more about the fact it has a cooking engine from a warm hatch elsewhere in their range.

It's being sold on its rally heritage at a press junket in Monte Carlo. Such a special car needs a 'special' engine to add to its mystique and desirability.

That doesn't necessarily mean big power (and I agree with you that it's not a car for massive power), just more power than you find elsewhere in say a Megane or at least the same as they were threatening to put in that mental Clio. 280bhp would be perfect.

It's not about competing with an A45, just differentiating from a Megane.

It's got the same 1.8 turbo from the new Renaultsport Megane, hasn't it? That's definitely not a warm hatch, as you've described.

The same thing has been said about the new Megane, funnily enough. Let's be honest, they've both got more than enough grunt.

The engine for the R.S.16 was the old 2.0 Megane lump. Also, bear in mind that project was cancelled in favour of this new Alpine.

[_Neal_]

jonby said:

anyone who says it needs more power is not the target audience

same reason it has skinny tyres rather than follow the current trend for huge wheels with wide tyres - this car is about fun

If it had 300 bhp or even 350, some people would still say they could get a TTRS, AMG45 and numerous other cars for the same or less money, with more power

They aren't playing the game and that's exactly what will appeal to some and not to others

They have worked hard on establishing what they are trying to do rather than attempt to be all things to all people, or enter into a power/lap time game of top trumps. They know their target market and they are sticking to it. To work, it has to polarise and it has to be a car that many don't and won't ever get

Whether there are enough people in that target market, time will tell but it's great they are giving it a really good, well thought out shot

Good post. Bravo Renault.

Quite why people are having GT86-style moans about a car that does 0-60 in 4.5s and tops out at 155mph is beyond me. This is faster than 99% of cars on the road, quicker than most M3s, regular 911s etc etc etc.

Don't worry though, More Power Patrol, they'll apparently be releasing one with 300bhp that you will still moan about.

[KTF]

Actus Reus said:

and why not a manual?

Cost saving I imagine using this as an example:

From Autocar said:

Fedeli said his experiences at Ferrari were enough to convince him that the manual transmission was dead. While developing the California roadster several years ago, he says, Ferrari invested €10m in a manual gearbox option and, overall, just two such cars were built for customers.

Source: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/overha...

[anonymous-user]

gofasterrosssco said:

I don't understand how people can think it needs more power and an LSD without actually driving it.

I would suggest that because they are things that proper petrolheads are supposed to say, they throw them about willy-nilly with scant regard for the import of what they're actually saying. It's broadly like the heel and toe nonsense for everyday driving - the incessant need to appear to be more knowledgeable than the next man.

[PhantomPH]

KTF said:

From Autocar said:

Fedeli said his experiences at Ferrari were enough to convince him that the manual transmission was dead. While developing the California roadster several years ago, he says, Ferrari invested €10m in a manual gearbox option and, overall, just two such cars were built for customers.

Both of which will be worth a bloody fortune in years to come.

[WCZ]

Prestonese said:

But why though? In any case, the concept centres around weight rather than power.

As in life, power corrupts.

I would happily buy this if it had more power is all...

[jonby]

Simonium said:

gofasterrosssco said:

I don't understand how people can think it needs more power and an LSD without actually driving it.

I would suggest that because they are things that proper petrolheads are supposed to say, they throw them about willy-nilly with scant regard for the import of what they're actually saying. It's broadly like the heel and toe nonsense for everyday driving - the incessant need to appear to be more knowledgeable than the next man.

I have a friend with a mega garage of exotica - a dozen or so cars, many of which are in most people's all time top ten cars. His absolute favourite car to drive, which is also his least valuable by far, is his 1960s Abarth with from memory, 30 something bhp.........

[scotty435]

Absolute love the the design outside and in, fit and finish looks first class, not a fan off turbo charging and auto box but that's where we are today and where going have to accept these down sides for such a credible and great looking sports car, hope they sell them by the bucket load they deserve to. Would I swap it for my Elise 250 cup which is at the same price point, not sure, but got a feeling it would not live with the 250 on a British B road so at the moment it would be a no

Edited by scotty435 on Friday 8th December 17:41

[noble12345]

scotty435 said:

Best looking Elise ever imo, 250 Cups with the twin tail lights! I just couldnt live with the whine of a supercharger, does my head in.

[noble12345]

Too Drunk to Funk said:

Or even the original Alpine..

Ive just realised why i like this Alpine so much, whens the Targa coming?

[akashzimzimma]

I i like everything apart from the rear end, looks like it reversed into an A7.

[noble12345]

NDNDNDND said:

I wonder how many more 4C's they'd have sold if they'd offered a manual option?

Theyd have sold more if it hadnt had ridiculous two year service costs, to tighten subframe bolts to stop it falling apart and ramp/lift dealer only issues. No one likes being held hostage. Plus the Spyder looks so odd from the side, the windscreen looks too high and the small opening looks like someone chopped the middle out the car and glued it back together.

[pmr01]

The Don of Croy said:

What a fab thing.

Hope it does way better than the Spyder (killed by the Elise) which was another charismatic Frenchie.

Same weight as my MR2 Roadster, but so much more grunt and a stiffer body too.

Hats off to Reggie. Now, how do I summon up £50k out of nowhere...?

Same weight as my mr2 roadster as well but has roughly the same power - it's not a bad package for the real world.

[Helicopter123]

4pot, DSG, 250bhp, no LSD, 1100kg for £50k.

Why would you have one of these over a Cayman?

[noble12345]

RedSwede said:

Very nice - sounds like a great package.

But what has happened to a bit of rim on wheels? All cars have huge offsets on wheels now so that wheels are all so flat - and it just kills the way a nice haunchy sportscar sits on its arches. Obviously they are diamond cut over black as well. At least they're not solid matte black.

I mean - look at the dish/rim on the original. Brilliant!

Yeah the new cars wheels arent the best, you could always add some arch extensons and change the wheels

[DBRacingGod]

There's something about it that reminds me of...

[noble12345]

Helicopter123 said:

4pot, DSG, 250bhp, no LSD, 1100kg for £50k.

Why would you have one of these over a Cayman?

This is the Only way to get me to notice a 4pot Lardy arsed, boring Cayman



Going by the spyshots im sure the 718 Cayman GT4 is going to look good though

[Darryl247W]

I admire Renault for going specialist, but just when you think the planets are aligned to reveal another purists' car...automatic transmission only (for everyone, not just the UK).

[5tu Mac]

Gutted they won’t be coming over the pond I would have placed an order already.

I think it looks absolutely fantastic.

Rumors already (see jalopnik article) that there will be a hot one coming, even less weight and more poke!
Let’s hope that one includes flared arches to mimic the old rally car as posted above

[l354uge]

DBRacingGod said:

There's something about it that reminds me of...

It's a car?