RE: Alpine A110: Driven

[blearyeyedboy]

^ Me too. I'd love to hear about the long term experience of an owner.

[bcr5784]

apex_mb said:

not those that put the badge first, largest wheel size second.

Like that comment - hope you haven't copyrighted it!

[Didzz]

On the FAR forum, they're trying to follow the reservation dates against order #.
Here's the latest update.

13/12/2016: DIEPPE2A_001435
13/12/2015: DIEPPE2A_1431
13/12/2016: DIEPPE2A_001469
17/12/2016: DIEPPE2A_001638
19/12/2017: DIEPPE2A_001677
27/12/2017: DIEPPE2A_002842
1/1/2017 : DIEPPE2A_002878
27/1/2017: DIEPPE2A_003003
8/3/2017: DIEPPE2A_0031XX
13/03/2017: DIEPPE2A_003260
15/3/2017: DIEPPE2A_00335X
19/03/2017: DIEPPE2A_0034X7
25/3/2017: DIEPPE2A_0035X2
06/04/2017: DIEPPE2A_0003615
19/11/2017: DIEPPE2A_004213
19/11/2017: DIEPPE2A_004214
18/12/2017: DIEPPE2A_004407
12/22/2017: DIEPPE2A_004462
31/12/2017: DIEPPE2A_00453X
??/01/2018 : DIEPPE2A_004733
29/01/2018: DIEPPE2A_004831
09/02/2018: DIEPPE2A_004942
?? / 3/2018: DIEPPE2A_ 00505x
12/3/2018: DIEPPE2A_00520X
22/3/2018: DIEPPE2A_005291
23/3/2018: DIEPPE2A_005299

Edited by Didzz on Saturday 7th April 08:32

[ORD]

I think the more relevant price comparison may be a manual Cayman to the Alpine. Many people considering an Alpine would probably prefer a manual box. The PDK is a cracking auto box, but it’s still an auto and so a real downside to most driving enthusiasts.

[bcr5784]

ORD said:

I think the more relevant price comparison may be a manual Cayman to the Alpine. Many people considering an Alpine would probably prefer a manual box. The PDK is a cracking auto box, but it’s still an auto and so a real downside to most driving enthusiasts.

A fair point - though I might argue with "most" - even the Evora sells as many autos as manuals and it's not a PDK. However even on that basis on continental prices a (DCT) Pure is 7k euros cheaper than a similarly equipped manual Cayman and more like 11 or 12k euros more in the case of the PE. So I think the fairly valid argument that the car looks expensive here won't actually have much effect on worldwide sales.

[apex_mb]

Blayney said:

Good opening post and welcome to forums (although it sounds like your a silent veteran!).

Please do a readers cars thread if you go through with the purchase. I'd love to read about the ownership experience of one of these lovely cars.

Thanks - I'll be sure to. Complete with a running count of how many "hope you got a fire extinguisher with that mate" or other such fire related comments it attracts per week...

The PDK/DCT argument is interesting too. A good manual would be great. But if it had a poor manual box, I reckon that would really detract from the overall experience that the A110 hopefully gives more than a good, snappy DCT would. Yes of course it would be more engaging, yes it is rewarding to heel and toe and rev match and all that, but for me personally, a clumsy manual would be a mismatch to the hopeful (I keep saying that a lot) composure, directness, ride and balance and ultimately handling fun. Plus, a little ashamedly, having sat in the A110 a few times at Geneva, I quite like that minimal centre console. Feels like a (cheaper and much poorer of course) mini McLaren in philosophy - and, having been lucky enough to ride in a few of them, I kind of like that... (Flame suit quite literally on now!). For the record, I still keep my eyes open for manual only Caymans and I do get why, for this class of car, many people would rule it out for not having a manual box.

[blade7]

nickfrog said:

DDg said:

blade7 said:

Renault, the great philosophers. LOL........

Come on mate. Dig deep and say something constructive, something reasoned, something intelligent. You can do this.

I don't think he can or he would have managed at least once, even accidentally.

[nickfrog]

At least you're consistent. Although that picture has already changed once (I preferred the handbag one).

[blade7]

nickfrog said:

At least you're consistent. Although that picture has already changed once (I preferred the handbag one).

Snowflake reported Vic and Bob....

[bcr5784]

blade7 said:

Snowflake reported Vic and Bob....

You've posted 7000+ times it would be nice to think (but perhaps implausible) that one post had actually contributed to the debate rather than detracted from it.

[nickfrog]

bcr5784 said:

blade7 said:

Snowflake reported Vic and Bob....

You've posted 7000+ times it would be nice to think (but perhaps implausible) that one post had actually contributed to the debate rather than detracted from it.

"Jokes" apart, I have never seen one post of his that did, quite honestly. But then again I might have missed it.

[blade7]

nickfrog said:

bcr5784 said:

You've posted 7000+ times it would be nice to think (but perhaps implausible) that one post had actually contributed to the debate rather than detracted from it.

"Jokes" apart, I have never seen one post of his that did, quite honestly. But then again I might have missed it.

[DukeDickson]

Butter Face said:

DukeDickson said:

. A messed about Mégane RS in a nice frock isn't enough

What?

What a ridiculous thing to write. Have you missed the completely bespoke aluminium shell, running gear and mid engine layout?

It has an engine from the new Megane RS and some switchgear but a ‘Megane RS in a nice frock’ it is not. No more than a Porsche being a ‘beetle in a nice frock’ if we’re going to throw around some stupid cliches.

Shell is almost cheap as chips, but the things that cost are the killer, or my redemption. You sell Renaults, I get that, my position is I don't care too much, either way. I just think it offers Ghosn value, which is very poor, very poor indeed

Decoration costs money, but the things that waste the money are platforms. The Alpine is quite pretty & a bit different, but at nearly 60k there's a lot of better choice!


As you're a Renault disciple in the know - totally bespoke platform? What bits were changed or otherwise?

I guess the other elephant in the room is that FCA managed to produce the lovely Lotus wannabe 4c & even with carbon body & similar price, not an iPhone wannabe.


Don't hate, just think it is somewhat misjudged in quite a few ways.

Edited by DukeDickson on Sunday 8th April 02:51

[DukeDickson]

HighwayStar said:

DukeDickson said:

Braver man than me. The negative air-con is one thing, but the strident price as well, while being less than inspiring in other ways would definitely see the cash not leaving the bank.


Needs more IMHO. Either a love of all things French, or something exciting or unique. A messed about Mégane RS in a nice frock isn't enough.

Edited by DukeDickson on Monday 2nd April 01:09

Seriously!!!

If we were talking about a Golf and an Audi TT then yes but the A110 a messed about Megan on a frock!!! Completely different cars in lay out and construction with only the same 1.8T and a few interior parts...
Totally clueless... D-.

I'll happily take a charity bet. You point out to me that it isn't a Mégane RS platform reversed with a bit of a engine shift, with evidence, I'll give some money to a decent charity.

I'm obviously assuming you are fully aware of platform costs

[Butter Face]

What do you mean? It’s not a Megane platform. It’s an all new, all aluminium body and platform designed and built for the Alpine.

If you mean it shares some components with the Megane; then yes, it does. Then engine for starters, some of the switches and knobs inside and I wouldn’t be surprised if they nicked a couple of other bits. But to say it’s a ‘Megane in a frock’ is bonkers and not correct. You don’t take a FWD 5 foor hatchback platform and rejig it to a mid engine RWD aluminium 2 seater coupe!

[nickfrog]

blade7 said:

More consistency. I like it. You might have eventually found your forte.

[nickfrog]

DukeDickson said:

I'll happily take a charity bet. You point out to me that it isn't a Mégane RS platform reversed with a bit of a engine shift, with evidence, I'll give some money to a decent charity.

I'm obviously assuming you are fully aware of platform costs

And automotive engineering is definitely not your forte.

[bcr5784]

DukeDickson said:

I'll happily take a charity bet. You point out to me that it isn't a Mégane RS platform reversed with a bit of a engine shift, with evidence, I'll give some money to a decent charity.

I'm obviously assuming you are fully aware of platform costs

I think you had better get your chequebook out. See


If you can find any commonality with a Megane I'll eat my hat.

[Helicopter123]

bcr5784 said:

DukeDickson said:

I'll happily take a charity bet. You point out to me that it isn't a Mégane RS platform reversed with a bit of a engine shift, with evidence, I'll give some money to a decent charity.

I'm obviously assuming you are fully aware of platform costs

I think you had better get your chequebook out. See


If you can find any commonality with a Megane I'll eat my hat.

Did they not say on top gear that the engine was from a Megan's and that the interior mostly came from the Renault parts bin? I'm sure things like suspension components and electronics would come from Renault too? Not being critical but but to pretend otherwise a little absurd?

[bcr5784]

The basic engine (but not the gearbox) is common to the Megane and doubtless some of the switchgear and electrics. The suspension is completely bespoke (the Megane has struts at the front torsion beam rear, and steel - the A110 has double wishbone suspension all round in aluminium). It is every bit as bespoke as the Alfa 4c - it's just that Renault did a better job and produced a car in Aluminium which weighs no more than the 4C - see https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a8109/w... and is actually 50% stiffer in torsion.

Despite what some see as a high price I cannot see Renault making any money on the A110 - it's intrinsically a very expensive car to make and won't be made in vast quantities. For Renault it's about re-establishing the Alpine brand, so they can sell more upmarket cars. It will probablybe SUVs next - sad that is the way of the world. If Alpine have to sell SUVs to the great unwashed, but I get an A110 as a result, I can live with that.

Edited by bcr5784 on Sunday 8th April 09:02