RE: Alpine A110 gets 305hp with RaceChip

[Sporky]

Prestonese said:

Some people curse themselves for backing the wrong horse. Others curse those who back the right one.

But Caymans aren't rubbish. I bought an A110, but I wouldn't be unhappy with a Cayman. They look nice, they go fast, and you can get a good shade of blue and heated seats.

I don't think there's a wrong horse here.

I still wonder occasionally if I should have gone for a used Evora, but I'm not going to be mean to Lotus owners.

[Miserablegit]

Sporky said:

But Caymans aren't rubbish. I bought an A110, but I wouldn't be unhappy with a Cayman. They look nice, they go fast, and you can get a good shade of blue and heated seats.

I don't think there's a wrong horse here.

I still wonder occasionally if I should have gone for a used Evora, but I'm not going to be mean to Lotus owners.

I think Prestonese was referencing a certain Boxster owner who has been vociferous in his trolling of Alpine threads. It appears he bought a Boxster at the same time we bought Alpines and seems a tad sore that our cars are quicker, lighter and a bit different. His usual retort was in respect of residuals but he’s gone quiet now there are 6 pot 718s around.

A lot of Alpine owners have owned Porsche and might do again so it’s not an issue. I’m really not bothered about what other people drive - I hope they enjoy it. It would certainly improve this place if others were happier and weren’t so chippy!

But you should be mean to Lotus owners as they enjoy it
I always viewed the Alpine as a daily lotus rather than a cayman competitor. I almost bought a Europa...

[anonymous-user]

SidewaysSi said:

Schmed said:

Awesome. All that work and it just about hits the bhp output of a base Cayman ...

How much have you lost in depreciation?

Less then any other car I’ve owned including 981s...

[anonymous-user]

springfan62 said:

Schmed only comes on Alpine topics because we are more understanding of his issues than all the 718 haters on the Cayman forum.

Personally I think he rather likes the Alpine cos we are all such a friendly bunch.

I love you guys too, but I just can’t get over the styling. In terms of weight and results though I can’t fault the car.

[Prestonese]

Schmed said:

I love you guys too, but I just can’t get over the styling. In terms of weight and results though I can’t fault the car.

We've softened you up! That's the most positive thing you've said about the Alpine!

[Prestonese]

Sporky said:

But Caymans aren't rubbish. I bought an A110, but I wouldn't be unhappy with a Cayman. They look nice, they go fast, and you can get a good shade of blue and heated seats.

I don't think there's a wrong horse here.

I still wonder occasionally if I should have gone for a used Evora, but I'm not going to be mean to Lotus owners.

I used to have a Cayman (a 981 - boo, hiss!). Lovely thing and I really enjoyed it. I couldn't help but feel it took itself too seriously though.

[Sporky]

Miserablegit said:

I always viewed the Alpine as a daily lotus rather than a cayman competitor. I almost bought a Europa...

I tried a Europa SE ages ago - when they were still on sale, I think. Loved it. That jiggly steering and just feeling so connected to all of it.

Definitely agree on the "daily Lotus" thing. I was initially slightly underwhelmed on the test drive, until it dawned on me that the Alpine just doesn't do anything badly - it's perfectly balanced all 'round.

[Miserablegit]

Sporky said:

I tried a Europa SE ages ago - when they were still on sale, I think. Loved it. That jiggly steering and just feeling so connected to all of it.

Definitely agree on the "daily Lotus" thing. I was initially slightly underwhelmed on the test drive, until it dawned on me that the Alpine just doesn't do anything badly - it's perfectly balanced all 'round.

I’m afraid to say I found the Europa SE slightly awkward to get out of and I regret I didn’t give it another go as I still think they are an interesting option.

[bcr5784]

Miserablegit said:

I’m afraid to say I found the Europa SE slightly awkward to get out of and I regret I didn’t give it another go as I still think they are an interesting option.

The trouble with the Europa (SE) was that it still had the access and refinement issues that the Elise suffered from. The concept was good - the implementation less so.

[Sporky]

I had the same issue. But it was fantastic to drive.

[Gary C]

springfan62 said:

I really don't think anyone interested in an Alpine is in the slightest bit interested in a 30 year old Porsche 944(built by Audi) or vice versa.

Thats bks

I like both.

[spinone]

the standard car feels plenty fast enough at the moment. I will be booking a test drive in the S when it arrives in the Uk next month.

[bcr5784]

spinone said:

the standard car feels plenty fast enough at the moment. I will be booking a test drive in the S when it arrives in the Uk next month.

You must (like me) be a conservative driver if blade is to be believed. ( I personally regard that as a compliment - conservative drivers by and large live longer imo) But I'll try the S too. I don't feel the need for more horses as such - but I don't like the feeling I have with many turbos that they lose interest at higher revs. The Alpine (because of the torque limit of the gearbox) has to be quite lively at higher revs (and is already pretty good in that regard) - and, presumably, the S will be even better..

[Sporky]

The S is for babies.

Just thought we Alpinists ought to disagree on something.

It's got 18s, for pity's sake. BABY WHEELS. And you can't have heated seats.

FOR BABIES.

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

The S is for babies.

Just thought we Alpinists ought to disagree on something.

It's got 18s, for pity's sake. BABY WHEELS. And you can't have heated seats.

FOR BABIES.

Not personally interested in the chassis changes - but the engine interests me. I can't think of any turbo (outside supercars) that holds peak torque to 6400 rpm. I think that could be very nice.

[TheDrBrian]

bcr5784 said:

Sporky said:

The S is for babies.

Just thought we Alpinists ought to disagree on something.

It's got 18s, for pity's sake. BABY WHEELS. And you can't have heated seats.

FOR BABIES.

Not personally interested in the chassis changes - but the engine interests me. I can't think of any turbo (outside supercars) that holds peak torque to 6400 rpm. I think that could be very nice.

It can’t hold peak torque to 6400rpm or it would make more than 305hp.
At 6400rpm and 305hp it makes 250lb/ft.

[bcr5784]

TheDrBrian said:

It can’t hold peak torque to 6400rpm or it would make more than 305hp.
At 6400rpm and 305hp it makes 250lb/ft.

I/we are talking about the factory A110S. Alpine quote maximum torque as 320nm - 236 lb ft (at 6400rpm) and peak power as 288bhp - for the A110S. Which is (mathematically) spot on. (Bhp(in horsepower) = 2 *pi* rev*torque/33000). It does mean that torque has to fall linearly after 6400 or it would develop more than 288bhp - but with modern ecus that is perfectly possible, if unusual.

Edited by bcr5784 on Thursday 22 August 20:52

Edited by bcr5784 on Thursday 22 August 21:25

[Sporky]

TheDrBrian may (quite reasonably) be thinking we're still talking about the RaceChip A110, not the A110s.

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

TheDrBrian may (quite reasonably) be thinking we're still talking about the RaceChip A110, not the A110s.

I thought spinone's post and your reply ( if deliberately provocative) were quite clear.

Edited by bcr5784 on Thursday 22 August 21:45

[Sporky]

Yeah, but if someone was skimming...

I was hoping that I'd been overblown enough to go through provocative and into laughable.