RE: New Alpine A110 R and GTS are the final salute

[SpudLink]

Frimley111R said:

I test drove one. It's nice but, for me, the engine and sound was more akin to my mum's Fiesta. I probably drove it 100 yards before thinking 'No'. Maybe with louder induction and a better exhaust I'd have drive it further. Odd as didn't feel the same with my Elise. It's a lovely looking thing but not sure there was never much of a market for a small sports car with a 4cyl engine, as proven by the much simpler Elise. An Emira and Cayman feel like much more serious options in comparison.

Before I drove one I read a number of comments that said “you’ll know in the first 500 meters if it’s for you”, or words to that effect. Certainly within a couple of miles I knew I wanted one. It’s not perfect (no manual option), but it is very much my sort of car.

[Frimley111R]

SpudLink said:

Frimley111R said:

I test drove one. It's nice but, for me, the engine and sound was more akin to my mum's Fiesta. I probably drove it 100 yards before thinking 'No'. Maybe with louder induction and a better exhaust I'd have drive it further. Odd as didn't feel the same with my Elise. It's a lovely looking thing but not sure there was never much of a market for a small sports car with a 4cyl engine, as proven by the much simpler Elise. An Emira and Cayman feel like much more serious options in comparison.

Before I drove one I read a number of comments that said “you’ll know in the first 500 meters if it’s for you”, or words to that effect. Certainly within a couple of miles I knew I wanted one. It’s not perfect (no manual option), but it is very much my sort of car.

Indeed. I took it back and said I didn't like it and the guy said 'You're the first person to come back from a test drive and say that'. I really wanted to like it and maybe having had an Evora a few years before, I just made too many engine comparisons. I can see why so many owners love them though.

[Jimbobc]

TheMilkyBarKid said:

Andy665 said:

mjlloyd500 said:

Who the f sells a husband and a v8 vantage for a Renault

Presume you mean Tuscan?

I did - I enjoy my driving and on the roads where I do most of it neither the Tuscan or the Vantage can hold a candle to the A110 - could not give a f*** about the badge.

The Tuscan was a more difficult car to let go off than the Vantage but can honestly say that I have not missed either of them

I didn’t have a husband or V8 Vantage to sell for mine, but I did sell my F-Type to buy it. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. In every way that matters (to me) the Alpine is the more enjoyable car, it’s small size is a massive bonus on give and take roads, it’s plenty quick enough on the road, and the turn in and handling are in a different league to the chunky Jag.

I like you had an F-Type only kept it for a year and bought a Premiere edition new in October 18 which I still have. It was such an easy decision. The F-Type was beautiful with the carbon blade wheels and the styling kit but I knew before I left the car park on the demo I wanted the Alpine.

[Terminator X]

Frimley111R said:

I test drove one. It's nice but, for me, the engine and sound was more akin to my mum's Fiesta. I probably drove it 100 yards before thinking 'No'. Maybe with louder induction and a better exhaust I'd have drive it further. Odd as didn't feel the same with my Elise. It's a lovely looking thing but not sure there was never much of a market for a small sports car with a 4cyl engine, as proven by the much simpler Elise. An Emira and Cayman feel like much more serious options in comparison.

Both over 300kg heavier. You either get lightweight or you don't, you should know!

TX.

[unpc]

Frimley111R said:

Indeed. I took it back and said I didn't like it and the guy said 'You're the first person to come back from a test drive and say that'. I really wanted to like it and maybe having had an Evora a few years before, I just made too many engine comparisons. I can see why so many owners love them though.

I came from an Evora to an 110S and the Alpine is just better in every single way bar the V6 howl above 4k IMO. In truth I don't miss the Evora at all but I know I'd miss the 110 when it's gone. I actually quite like the induction noise on the 110 too.

[ChocolateFrog]

GTRene said:

the GTS looks cool with the normal window from the rear



also not bad from full side

Might be the sweet spot.

Nice to see a car in lots of different colours. That one looks great to my eyes.

[ChocolateFrog]

moonigan said:

Sporky said:

Anyone who calls an Alpine a Renault is just childishly trolling.

As for the depreciation, just don't ever sell it.

I suspect its at least 70% Renault. Engine, Electronics, Dealers, Finance, Warranty, Aftersales. Sure they may wrap a lot of the customer facing stuff up in a pretty Alpine badge but scratch beneath the surface and you'll find a Renault.

It shares some bits with my Dacia

That must be even more nose disjointing for badge snobs.

[ChocolateFrog]

I actually didn't know there was no manual so I'll have to get out from under that rock too.

That really surprises me.

[Miserablegit]

CKY said:

Given the amount of A110s you see for sale with 'XXX fitted at Life110' or other tuning firm, it makes you wonder what an Alfa 4C would be like with springs/dampers, geometry, engine/gearbox remap and various other fettling that the A110 can benefit from; it's a good chunk lighter than the Alpine for a start, though must admit I prefer the styling and overall packaging of the A110.

The 4c is only about 90kg lighter. I like the 4c and would like to have one alongside an A110 but as I could only choose one it was the A110.

[joshcowin]

blue al said:

joshcowin said:

I've only just realised they don't make this with a manual box, to me that's mad.

Nice cars, but expensive for what they are, think I'd rather have an alfa 4c if I wasn't going manual

Says man who’s lived under a rock for 6 years…

No, subscribe to car mags and have an odd autotrader addiction.

I just always assumed they would be manual, I understand auto actually sells and manual appeals to a fraction of people, but surely alpine is only bought by people who really love cars, driving and engagement?

[Terminator X]

Thwacker said:

joshcowin said:

No, subscribe to car mags and have an odd autotrader addiction.

I just always assumed they would be manual, I understand auto actually sells and manual appeals to a fraction of people, but surely alpine is only bought by people who really love cars, driving and engagement?

I know, the auto-only option for the Alpine is the only reason why I haven't bought one. If they did bring out a manual, I'd have one in a heartbeat.

"The Alpine A110 Is Lighter With a DCT Than It Would Be With a Manual
Alpine wanted the A110 to be light as possible, and interestingly, that meant ditching the manual."

TX.

[ChocolateFrog]

Isn't that a bit like deleting A/C. Yes it saves you 5kg but not worth it in a road car this side of a Caterham.

[Frimley111R]

Terminator X said:

Frimley111R said:

I test drove one. It's nice but, for me, the engine and sound was more akin to my mum's Fiesta. I probably drove it 100 yards before thinking 'No'. Maybe with louder induction and a better exhaust I'd have drive it further. Odd as didn't feel the same with my Elise. It's a lovely looking thing but not sure there was never much of a market for a small sports car with a 4cyl engine, as proven by the much simpler Elise. An Emira and Cayman feel like much more serious options in comparison.

Both over 300kg heavier. You either get lightweight or you don't, you should know!

TX.

Indeed! Maybe I'd just gone a bit too grown up/refined with the Evora and the 110 was less fun/felt less special than an Elise and not as refined/quick as the Evora. Or the Emira that I eventually bought.

Obviously I'm not knocking the A110, it just wasn't for me.

[Terminator X]

Thwacker said:

Terminator X said:

"The Alpine A110 Is Lighter With a DCT Than It Would Be With a Manual
Alpine wanted the A110 to be light as possible, and interestingly, that meant ditching the manual."

TX.

USually duel clutch transmission is heavier than the manual alternative. But even with Alpine's clever system, how much weight would that have actually saved? Somewhere between 1 and 50kg I'd hazard a guess? I'd have happily sacrificed a couple of hundred kg to have a manual A110. And even then it would still be a very light car by modern standards.

I guess you were never the I intended customer then. Heavier cars for you

TX.

[200Plus Club]

unpc said:

Frimley111R said:

Indeed. I took it back and said I didn't like it and the guy said 'You're the first person to come back from a test drive and say that'. I really wanted to like it and maybe having had an Evora a few years before, I just made too many engine comparisons. I can see why so many owners love them though.

I came from an Evora to an 110S and the Alpine is just better in every single way bar the V6 howl above 4k IMO. In truth I don't miss the Evora at all but I know I'd miss the 110 when it's gone. I actually quite like the induction noise on the 110 too.

Which Evora put of interest? I've driven a 410 Sport which was excellent and on a par with my old GT4, probably appeal to the same type target audience who might buy a 110.

[SpudLink]

Thwacker said:

I'd have happily sacrificed a couple of hundred kg to have a manual A110. And even then it would still be a very light car by modern standards.

That would add nearly 20% to the weight, which would bring it close to the Cayman. The Porsche is the default choice for people who want a mid-engined coupe > 1300kg. The A110 is the only car for people who want a lighter mid-engined coupe. Well, the only one from a big manufacturer.
All the small changes that would ‘only add a few kilos’ add up to something that losses the unique appeal of the Alpine.

[kitcat7]

As no-one has said it yet, how long do us owners of earlier cars, mine is a 2020, have to wait for the thing to start appreciating once they are out of production?

Maybe I shouldn't worry about the running costs and just enjoy the car for what it is, but I just can't do that, especially for a toy, not a daily.

[jpf]

Maybe the A110 should have been approved for sale in the USA...beautiful car and likely fairly easy to comply with emissions and safety regulations as I don't believe the regulatory differences are that significant.

[Terminator X]

Thwacker said:

SpudLink said:

Thwacker said:

I'd have happily sacrificed a couple of hundred kg to have a manual A110. And even then it would still be a very light car by modern standards.

That would add nearly 20% to the weight, which would bring it close to the Cayman. The Porsche is the default choice for people who want a mid-engined coupe > 1300kg. The A110 is the only car for people who want a lighter mid-engined coupe. Well, the only one from a big manufacturer.
All the small changes that would ‘only add a few kilos’ add up to something that losses the unique appeal of the Alpine.

20%? Absolute rubbish! Everyone knows that the autos, even modern DCT, are generally heavier than their manual equivalents.

You said you'd be happy at +200kg.

TX.

[alex_2015]

joshcowin said:

No, subscribe to car mags and have an odd autotrader addiction.

I just always assumed they would be manual, I understand auto actually sells and manual appeals to a fraction of people, but surely alpine is only bought by people who really love cars, driving and engagement?

Not quite a fraction. In Porsche 718/911 about 40% of the sales had manual transmission. I would have seriously considered a manual Alpine 110.
This is the big missed mark by Alpine/Renault.
The other is the pricing point. They should have made this sports car more affordable. Using some simple technology (like MX-5) unlike aluminum monocoque, relying on complex processes, technologies and expensive materials. The purpose was bringing people in the car, make it popular, create fan communities.
But instead, typical for Renault, attempting to go upscale and charge from day 1 premium price for a product that was not proven, lacking image and also
is missing in some departments. They made the same mistake with Renault Talisman and others. Good cars on their own, but not living up to their expectations.

Speaking of aluminum, not the most repairable material and notoriously difficult to work on. Prices are accordingly I guess.

Edited by alex_2015 on Thursday 27th February 16:33