A110S Orange and Black … to S or to GT

[mrCraigyC]

Having been infected the A110 magic I’m already thinking about ordering a new one, primarily for CarPlay, microfibre steering wheel and dash and a little more power.

I’d love to hear some honest views on the S over the normal/GT chassis in terms of how it is on British roads, is it too twitchy, is it too hard? I’m also thinking I prefer to have heated seats which limits me to a GT … but I do love the new diamond cut S wheels.

Also anyone managed to find the black roof option on the UK configuration?

[iKenndac]

Apparently the configurator is in a bit of an odd state until December 1st, after which the missing options will appear.

That said, the black and orange colour scheme is only available on the S. You can order another model in the orange colour with the carbon roof, but to get black A pillars etc you'll need to have a wrap put on.

[s111dpc]

I have an S and came from a trio of Lotus models so I don’t find the ride too harsh but it is firm and and came be fidgety on our roads at times. That said I have asked SWMBO’d if it’s too stiff and she Saugus it’s fine so that’s good enough for me But in all seriousness if you’re used to a comfy ride the GT might be a better option and then if it’s too soft add the Life110 springs.

[Gyroo]

I’m UK based and have ordered an orange and black S. I had to sit down with the dealer and go through the uk price list, not the configurator. In addition to the black roof other things I ordered that aren’t in the configurator were: orange seatbelts, black headlamp ‘boomerang’ inserts, illuminated door sills, dash watch mount. There’s other stuff in there too like the cup2 tyres.

https://www.alpinecars.com/en/alpine-documents/

[mrCraigyC]

s111dpc said:

I have an S and came from a trio of Lotus models so I don’t find the ride too harsh but it is firm and and came be fidgety on our roads at times. That said I have asked SWMBO’d if it’s too stiff and she Saugus it’s fine so that’s good enough for me But in all seriousness if you’re used to a comfy ride the GT might be a better option and then if it’s too soft add the Life110 springs.

Thanks - very helpful, I’ve come from a 718 GT4 so maybe OK, think I need to go and drive one

[mrCraigyC]

Gyroo said:

I’m UK based and have ordered an orange and black S. I had to sit down with the dealer and go through the uk price list, not the configurator. In addition to the black roof other things I ordered that aren’t in the configurator were: orange seatbelts, black headlamp ‘boomerang’ inserts, illuminated door sills, dash watch mount. There’s other stuff in there too like the cup2 tyres.

https://www.alpinecars.com/en/alpine-documents/

Thank you … very helpful and like the sound of orange seatbelts too! This could an expensive exercise!

[Simon Owen]

mrCraigyC said:

s111dpc said:

I have an S and came from a trio of Lotus models so I don’t find the ride too harsh but it is firm and and came be fidgety on our roads at times. That said I have asked SWMBO’d if it’s too stiff and she Saugus it’s fine so that’s good enough for me But in all seriousness if you’re used to a comfy ride the GT might be a better option and then if it’s too soft add the Life110 springs.

Thanks - very helpful, I’ve come from a 718 GT4 so maybe OK, think I need to go and drive one

Need to drive both back to back on a half decent road, there is no right or wrong. I didn’t find the S as bad on the road as some people do but still preferred the quite unique feel of the softer standard car.

Interested to know what’s attracted you to the A110 from the GT4 ?

[mrCraigyC]

Sold the manual GT4 for a profit (plus it was becoming a little irritating with speed bumps), bought a Mini JCW for the winter whilst I waited for a PDK GT4 allocation, hat ed it so wondered what to buy. Watched many YouTube reviews, went and test drove one, loved it, bought one! Now thinking of ditching the GT4 PDK deposit for another A110. Love the size, ride, great noise for a 4 pot and it turns many more heads than the GT4! It’s quite unique.

[Coilover]

You will be fine with an ‘S’. I got mine a few days ago and have taken it down some pretty awful roads. It’s comfortable and a firm ride without being twitchy. I’ve come from and Ariel/Lotus background.

I did 2 days in a pure and 2 days in an S. After a GT4 go for the S. It’s not as harsh as the GT4 and good for everyday. I found the pure a bit too ‘wallowing’ after cars with much tighter suspension. It’s all a question of what you are used to.

[Coilover]

mrCraigyC said:

Sold the manual GT4 for a profit (plus it was becoming a little irritating with speed bumps), bought a Mini JCW for the winter whilst I waited for a PDK GT4 allocation, hat ed it so wondered what to buy. Watched many YouTube reviews, went and test drove one, loved it, bought one! Now thinking of ditching the GT4 PDK deposit for another A110. Love the size, ride, great noise for a 4 pot and it turns many more heads than the GT4! It’s quite unique.

I had deposits on GT4 and GTS4. I bought the Alpine, waited 8 weeks for it. Still waiting for either Porsche dealer to give me an indication if or when I might’ get an allocation. I am getting my deposits refunded tomorrow now my Alpine has been delivered. It’s just too much fun. The Porsches feel too bloated after a few days in an A110S (but I was coming from a Lotus/Ariel background).

[Coilover]

mrCraigyC said:

Having been infected the A110 magic I’m already thinking about ordering a new one, primarily for CarPlay, microfibre steering wheel and dash and a little more power.

I’d love to hear some honest views on the S over the normal/GT chassis in terms of how it is on British roads, is it too twitchy, is it too hard? I’m also thinking I prefer to have heated seats which limits me to a GT … but I do love the new diamond cut S wheels.

Also anyone managed to find the black roof option on the UK configuration?

I’m not entirely convinced about ‘the more power’. The range has a reputation for dyno figures over the stated ones. Myself and my dealer reckon they have put a few on the dyno and have realised that they can state a magic 300 without actually doing anything. As for carplay; I was convinced I wanted it. Had the car a week and realise I really don’t. Seriously. Not interested. I wouldn’t complain if it had it but I’m not bothered not to have it.
The dash would be nice, but avoid a full alacantra wheel unless you intend to drive in gloves. They get pretty awful, very quickly. They need quite a lot of regular maintenance to stop the sweat on your hands clogging the fibres and turning it into something that looks like patches of polished leather. It takes upholstery cleaner and a suede brush and a lot of care so you don’t ruin the finish altogether. The one on my Nomad was on a removable wheel hub which made maintenance easier but it needed regular attention and easy to damage.
The half and half wheel on the A110 makes a LOT of sense!