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Just when we thought that the Alpine A110 is a forbidden fruit that can't get any better, here comes the A110 R packing serious track-spec features.
There is a reason why Porsche 911s are known to have the most desirable driving character among sports cars. It is because power and torque are not the sole factors that Porsche focuses on in the 911s. The chassis layout, suspension tuning, and weight distribution, all play an important and equal role. It's all about having a perfect balance, and that is hard to attain.
The vastly underrated Alpine A110 is also a breed of sports cars that follows the same balanced principle to offer a grin-worthy experience but is a much cheaper proposition than the Porsches. In the UK, the base Alpine A110 starts at an equivalent of under $56,000. For reference, the cheapest Porsche is the 718 Cayman which starts from $63,400 in the US. Alpine has made the A110 even more desirable now with the new A110 R. This model is the alpha among the A110 models and slots above the Alpine A110 S.
The standard A110 was already a lightweight performance car. The "S" takes it even further with more carbon fiber parts and redesigned body panels. Alpine has given the suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics a notable upgrade which further widens the grin on the driver's face! The interior also gets a "track-spec" makeover with sports seats and six-point harnesses.
Adding more drama and excitement is the limited-edition Alpine A110 R Fernando Alonso Edition. The Alonso models have distinctive visual features that are directly linked to Fernando's Formula One car. The A110 R model is quite exciting but sadly, we won't be able to enjoy it as Alpine doesn't sell their addiction in the US! If they even plan to bring the desirable A110 line-up to the US, then it would fill the void that has been created by the demise of the Alfa Romeo 4C and also give the Porsche Cayman line-up a serious run for its money.
Just when we thought that the Alpine A110 is a forbidden fruit that can't get any better, here comes the A110 R which is 75 pounds lighter and packing some serious track-ready upgrades.
Alpine is lauded for bringing F1 technology to the roads. While the standard A110 series had these bits in subtlety, things have been dialed up for the A110 R. Weight reduction has been a major factor that elevates the "R" appeal. The standard A110 was already a pretty lightweight sportscar at 2,456 pounds for its heaviest configuration.
With clever use of carbon fiber and a few tweaks on the chassis have dialed it down to an impressive 2,385 pounds on the A110 R. The major contributors that helped Alpine shave off weight on the outside are the new hood and wheels made from carbon fiber. Even the rear window has been swapped for a carbon-fiber piece with integrated air intakes to help its "humble" engine breathe.
Aerodynamics has gotten an upgrade with the redesigned hood, side skirts, a new rear splitter, and a redesigned rear spoiler to improve downforce and reduce drag. All of these components are made out of carbon and other lightweight materials. It also adds more aggression to the A110 R's visual appeal. In short, this French sportscar looks dope!
Related: Why The All-Electric Alpine A110 E-ternite Prototype Is An Awesome Open-Top Sports Car
All of those aerodynamically optimized body panels come together to reduce drag by five percent and increase the downforce by 64 pounds. Alpine has added an adjustable suspension that can lower the A 110 R by 0.4 inches to get that perfect stance. Along with the adjustable shocks, the A110 R also gets stiffer anti-roll bars and springs for sportier driving dynamics. The A110 R also gets track-ready Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as standard.
The brakes have also been upgraded with bigger Brembos to provide with more stopping power. Of the total 75-pound weight reduction, 11 pounds is from the interior. The A110 R gets carbon-fiber Sabelt seats with six-pointer harnesses. Just like the exterior, the cabin also gets painted in the cool Racing Matte Blue that Alonso's F1 car flaunts. All the other technology bits remain unchanged, and the cabin is wrapped in microfiber and carbon-fiber bits.
Related: The New Rally-Inspired Alpine A110 Tour De Corse 75 Limited Edition Is Awesome
Alpine has left its powertrain untouched in the A110 R. The athletic 1.8-Liter turbocharged inline-four engine continues to churn out 300 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels only via a seven-speed DCT. The calculated weight reduction and aero upgrades have improved this sportscar's performance. The A110 R does 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds (a tenth faster than the A110 S) and has an increased top speed of 177 mph.
Adding more excitement and drama to the already meaty A110 R is a limited-run model. Called the A110 R Fernando Alonso Edition, this cooler version is a celebration of the Formula One star's victories since his career started in 2001. It flaunts the elusive Racing Matte Blue paint job as seen on the Formula 1 A522 car.
The carbon fiber hood and rear cover have been partially painted in a combination of the matter blue shade and a Deep Black (these are completely exposed on the standard A110 R. The blacked-out elements have given a pop job with more contrast. The brake calipers are painted orange, and the wheels get grey edges.
The rear quarter window gets the iconic blue-orange-yellow flag which along with all other unique color choices are the colors that define Alonso and his cars. Alonso's signature is found on various exterior panels, as well as the headrests of the carbon fiber seats. Only 32 units of the A110 R Fernando Alonso Edition will be made which depicts the total count of his wins!
Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, and an avid content creator. He is a grease-monkey who loves tinkering with automobiles every now and then, when not busy penning down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and is keen on diving deep in for anything that involves wheels and engines.