More than six years on from the first drives of the Alpine A110, it’s really hard to underestimate the impact made by this joyous little sports car. There hadn’t been a mid-engined Porsche rival from Alpine for more than 20 years, and it was incredibly rare even when it did exist. Resurrecting the A110 name placed a huge weight of expectation on the new car, because that was the icon. The breakdown of the Caterham relationship concerned some. Then the new A110 arrived, it was brilliant, and any worries that Alpine might struggle with a sports car disappeared overnight.
It was innovative, light, deft, compact, engaging and enjoyable in a way so few similar cars really are. It was more habitable than a Lotus, better suited to B roads than a Porsche and about half a tonne lighter than a BMW M2. From nowhere, Alpine created a sports car for the ages. So there’s hope yet that they may do the same with an electric one.
Complaints really were few and far between back in the winter of 2017-18: some still wanted a manual, but that was never going to happen. Some didn’t love the look of the front end, either. But perhaps the most significant gripe was colour choice (which demonstrates how good it was), because if you didn’t want the trademark blue then it was black, white, silver and grey. For such a vivid sports car, the palette was uninspiring.
Alpine soon addressed that, however, broadening the colour chart over time and introducing limited editions. Now when looking for a used A110 buyers are spoilt for choice, the paint options going from one extreme to the other in the car’s time on sale. The introduction of the Alpine Atelier option in 2020 seems to have been a real tipping point, introducing 29 new shades; all with links to Alpine’s heritage, all costing thousands of pounds, all limited to 110 units and all looking pretty ruddy marvellous. Honestly. From Orange Sanguine to Tulipe Noir, every single one suited the A110. It says something about the inherent rightness of the design that all the Atelier paints worked. The car was a classic idea brought right up to date, and the same could be said for old-school colours.
Currently, the Atelier selection is down to 11 on the configurator, including Heather Pink, Dune and Vanilla. The excitement of speccing a new sports car of the A110’s quality in such a distinctive colour must be huge (if it’s good enough for Porsche, it’s good enough for Alpine), but, as mentioned, there are a few already out there for those feeling bold. This Lime Green example might be the pick of the bunch; first seen on an A110 back in 1970, Alpine describes Vert Tilleul as an ‘opaque, fresh, and energetic shade not far removed from aniseed green’. You can say that again. It’s impossible to draw your eye from and is unlike almost any other A110 - even the other Atelier models. Moreover, it’s a GT, which is about as good as a ‘110 gets, with the additional power of the S (300hp) paired with a suspension set-up similar to the standard car. This one ought to benefit further on the ride/handling front with the fitment of the optional forged Fuchs wheels. It's number five of the 110 that will be made.
It’s a wonderful spec for those willing to stand out and celebrate Alpine’s history. This one is for sale at Alpine Manchester, a 2022 car with just a couple of thousand miles. And a useful saving off list, too, given the thousands spent on paint and wheels. Indeed at £53,276, it’s less than a brand new, 248hp A110 would cost. And the only standard colour there is boring old white. This one, on the other hand, will make the whole world green with envy.
SPECIFICATION | ALPINE A110 GT
Engine: 1,798cc, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 300@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 251@2,400-6,000rpm
0-62mph: 4.2secs
Top speed: 155mph
MPG: 41.5-42.2 (WLTP)
CO2: 153-160g/km
Year registered: 2022
Recorded mileage: 3,138
Price new: £59,355 (before options)
Yours for: £53,276
1 / 6
