After a 22-year hiatus, in 2017 Renault revived the Alpine name and launched a small sports car that’s reminiscent of the original A110.
It’s still called the Alpine A110, but unlike the classic model of the 1960s and 1970s, it benefits from the French carmaker’s latest and greatest in terms of chassis, powertrain and technology, and combines them with the iconic look of the old ‘Berlinette’.
Beneath that beautiful skin lies the turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine of the latest Renault Megane RS. It makes 252 PS (248 hp / 185 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque, but since it tips the scales at a lithe 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) dry, the modern day A110 is very quick. In fact, the brand claims it can do 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.5 seconds and max out at 250 km/h (155 mph).
Even though the specs seem fine, the A110 and goes up against some stiff competition like the Porsche Cayman, Audi TT and Alfa Romeo 4C.
Also Watch: You Might Want To Cancel That Cayman Order After Watching This Alpine A110 Review
CarBuyer recently went for a spin in one and found it absolutely sublime in most areas, calling the ride a “revelation” and praising the sound the tiny four-cylinder lump makes, especially with the optional sports exhaust system. Interior quality is very good, despite having some scratchy plastics, and the infotainment may not be Renault’s latest R-Link, but it’s very straight forward to use.
On the downside, one might want to pack light when going away for the weekend in the A110, because even though if it has two boots, one at the front and one at the rear, they are both very small. And storage space inside is pretty much nonexistent, save for a small tray located between the two seats.
The Alpine A110 is one of the most intriguing cars of 2018, but to find out if you can live with it on a daily basis you may want to check out the video review right below.