Photo: Baldauf
With the new A110 that came out in 2017, Alpine, which is part of the Renault Group, has reminded us that you don't need a big engine to have fun in a rear-wheel drive vehicle. The A110 has certainly matured over the years, with several derivatives joining the family, and it appears the French carmaker will make it even more exciting with a new model that's presumably in the making.
Spied testing at the Nurburgring and on the roads nearby by our man with the cam recently, this prototype appears to be a more hardcore version of the Alpine A110. If so, then it will dwarf the A110 R in terms of performance, likely both in a straight line and on twisty roads.
Compared to the A110 R, this mysterious tester had a more pronounced apron and flicks mounted on the bumper. The front hood sports deeper vents, and the side skirts are slightly fatter. The changes continue at the rear, where it features a different large wing that seems to be adjustable. The diffuser looks the same, and so do the central-mounted dual exhaust tips.
We are not entirely sure, but it looks like this prototype sits a bit closer to the asphalt than the A110 R. If that's the case, then Alpine's engineers have re-tuned the chassis. Red brake calipers can be seen hugging the discs on both axles, and this car featured a set of Y-spoke wheels with a silver look. The interior was not under wraps, but our spy photographers couldn't get close enough to take a few pictures. If this is indeed a more hardcore A110, then it should get additional updates, like sportier seats and likely a more basic cockpit.
Look for the same turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mounted behind the seats that powers the entire modern-day A110 lineup. In the R and S, it's good for 296 hp (300 ps/221 kW) and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque. It drives the rear wheels through a dual-clutch seven-speed auto 'box, allowing the A110 R to hit sixty-two mph (100 kph) in 3.9 seconds, three-tenths faster than the S. Chances are Alpine might boost the output and torque a bit if they are indeed planning an even more serious machine, hinted by the pictured prototype.
Our spy photographers believe this model might be christened the RS, and that makes sense, though in the end, not only do we not know its given suffix, but we don't even know if it is indeed a more track-focused version of the sports car. Chances are we'll find out more about it as time passes and the testing advances. Hopefully, either Renault or Alpine will step forward soon to drop some details about it.
Compared to the A110 R, this mysterious tester had a more pronounced apron and flicks mounted on the bumper. The front hood sports deeper vents, and the side skirts are slightly fatter. The changes continue at the rear, where it features a different large wing that seems to be adjustable. The diffuser looks the same, and so do the central-mounted dual exhaust tips.
We are not entirely sure, but it looks like this prototype sits a bit closer to the asphalt than the A110 R. If that's the case, then Alpine's engineers have re-tuned the chassis. Red brake calipers can be seen hugging the discs on both axles, and this car featured a set of Y-spoke wheels with a silver look. The interior was not under wraps, but our spy photographers couldn't get close enough to take a few pictures. If this is indeed a more hardcore A110, then it should get additional updates, like sportier seats and likely a more basic cockpit.
Look for the same turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mounted behind the seats that powers the entire modern-day A110 lineup. In the R and S, it's good for 296 hp (300 ps/221 kW) and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque. It drives the rear wheels through a dual-clutch seven-speed auto 'box, allowing the A110 R to hit sixty-two mph (100 kph) in 3.9 seconds, three-tenths faster than the S. Chances are Alpine might boost the output and torque a bit if they are indeed planning an even more serious machine, hinted by the pictured prototype.
Our spy photographers believe this model might be christened the RS, and that makes sense, though in the end, not only do we not know its given suffix, but we don't even know if it is indeed a more track-focused version of the sports car. Chances are we'll find out more about it as time passes and the testing advances. Hopefully, either Renault or Alpine will step forward soon to drop some details about it.
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