RE: Alpine A110 | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Royal Jelly said:
Schmed said:
Admittedly, as with the Emira, the ethos of those cars certainly isn’t weight. 
No it isn’t, and never has been for a non-GT Porsche. That’s why you end up with something well-built from good quality materials, practical and reliable. The 981 did shave some 60kgs from the 987, but then gained a small amount of heft for the 718. They’ve obviously found the limit of what they can do in terms of weight whilst still providing the same attributes as a car at the Cayman/Boxter price point. The Issue with the 110 is that it tried to do the lightness thing, but didn’t manage to do it particularly well. So, it’s stuck in a middle ground. It isn’t as focussed as a proper light weight (Elise) and isn’t as well-finished or practical as the Cayman. It’s still great, but that’s why it appeals to a far smaller cohort.
Interested to see the reviews of the lotus, now that they’ve decided to throw away Chapmans long standing “add lightness” philosophy.
Edited by Royal Jelly on Wednesday 8th September 20:18
If by "focused" you mean all stripped out, and aimed at a Sunday car/track car market -well, no they didnt do that. Those cars dont really sell at volume, and holds no interest for me - for example. I want a lightweight daily driver with all the modern toys - it's literally without competition in that respect.
Some people think 1,100kg is a sexier number than 6 cylinders, or 6 manual gears - some don't, and bang on about it on forums .it's good there is choice.. but come on, let's at least have forum debates built on *some* sort of credibility. Saying Alpine didn't do lightweight particularly well is like saying they didn't do "being quite a bright blue" very well - just not true.
SidewaysSi said:
I love how these debates turn to weight and how being lightweight is so amazing - usually spoken by people with PDK Caymans, new BMWs etc.
And like it played any part in their buying decision whatsoever.
and if the forum had photos of members a great deal of them saying that are probably not lightweight either And like it played any part in their buying decision whatsoever.
craigjm said:
SidewaysSi said:
I love how these debates turn to weight and how being lightweight is so amazing - usually spoken by people with PDK Caymans, new BMWs etc.
And like it played any part in their buying decision whatsoever.
and if the forum had photos of members a great deal of them saying that are probably not lightweight either And like it played any part in their buying decision whatsoever.
Damn right. They all think they know and appreciate it but let's be honest, the colour and the infotainment was the real reason they bought what they did. And because they are tight, maybe the fuel economy and residuals....but it's a great debate to watch.
otolith said:
Like for like is a different comparison. Base vs base, unless there is something missing from the base car that you really can't live without.
Except Porsche never provide a base spec car and the Alpine PE never had an options list.If Porsche were to provide a base spec car it wouldn’t have PDK, Sport Chrono, PASM, PCCB, buckets, monogrammed headrests or any of the other sparkly bits that apparently make the cabin such a great place to be.
Base v Base - there’s no performance drop in the Alpine.
If you care about the weight, you're not going to spec 20 inch wheels and other irrelevant crap (including the automatic transmission which "like for like" seems to require). If you don't care about the weight, you probably don't care that the Alpine is lighter. They're both a bit porky for my tastes, especially if you don't get a nice NA 6 in return, but my Lotus is a bit porky compared to an S1 and that's a bit porky compared to a Caterham.
By and large, though, I doubt that Porsche buyers could give a flying fig.
By and large, though, I doubt that Porsche buyers could give a flying fig.
otolith said:
If you care about the weight, you're not going to spec 20 inch wheels and other irrelevant crap (including the automatic transmission which "like for like" seems to require). If you don't care about the weight, you probably don't care that the Alpine is lighter. They're both a bit porky for my tastes, especially if you don't get a nice NA 6 in return, but my Lotus is a bit porky compared to an S1 and that's a bit porky compared to a Caterham.
By and large, though, I doubt that Porsche buyers could give a flying fig.
You asked where the 350kg came from and I replied. I agree many Porsche buyers won’t give a fig.By and large, though, I doubt that Porsche buyers could give a flying fig.
I thought PCCB saved weight as well as improving braking on the Porsche?
As for PDK - it adds, what, 40kg?
PASM perhaps adds 20kg?
Main weight penalty comes from the chassis design/structure.
Without these extras the Porsche has reduced performance and poorer ride quality. I’d view these as “must haves” (apart from PCCB)
As for PDK - it adds, what, 40kg?
PASM perhaps adds 20kg?
Main weight penalty comes from the chassis design/structure.
Without these extras the Porsche has reduced performance and poorer ride quality. I’d view these as “must haves” (apart from PCCB)
Miserablegit said:
I thought PCCB saved weight as well as improving braking on the Porsche?
As for PDK - it adds, what, 40kg?
PASM perhaps adds 20kg?
Main weight penalty comes from the chassis design/structure.
Without these extras the Porsche has reduced performance and poorer ride quality. I’d view these as “must haves” (apart from PCCB)
I wouldn't class an automatic gearbox as a must have on a sports car, but some may do I guess. As for PDK - it adds, what, 40kg?
PASM perhaps adds 20kg?
Main weight penalty comes from the chassis design/structure.
Without these extras the Porsche has reduced performance and poorer ride quality. I’d view these as “must haves” (apart from PCCB)
I suppose the penalty of the design means that the car is more flexible as it offers customers more choice.
Miserablegit said:
The PDK offers an extra ratio and, as a result, slightly reduces the long gearing in the Porsche- I agree it’s odd to view it as a must have but that’s only my opinion.
Choice is good and Porsche can afford to offer manual and auto despite most owners opting for auto.
I think another bonus is the option of having a car where the roof comes off. Choice is good and Porsche can afford to offer manual and auto despite most owners opting for auto.
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