New Alpine confirmed for Australia
In conjunction with Renault Australia, Alpine Cars has confirmed they will be returning to the Australian market with the new A110 sports coupe, which will be released here in 2018.
The production A110 made its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, following the ‘Vision’ concept presented last year after the Alpine brand was revived as a ‘sports premium’ sub-brand under Renault stewardship in 2012.
The original Alpines only came here in small quantities, largely via specialty sports car suppliers or as personal imports.
Welcome Arrival
“Alpine defines a modern sports car designed for driving pleasure. It combines the timeless Alpine principles of compact size, light weight and dynamic agility and keeps true to the spirit of its predecessors, in particular the A110 Berlinette,” said Renault Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Moore.
“We are delighted that it won’t be long until its loyal fans, as well as those new to the brand, can get behind the wheel.”
Australia will be the second market outside Europe to receive the new A110 and one of only three right-hand drive countries, to date, to import the new model.
Pricing has yet to be revealed, but somewhere in the region of $75,000 to $90,000 is expected, which would put the A110 up against the Audi TT, while also nudging into the territory of the Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche’s Cayman.
Honouring the Original
The new A110 takes its name from the original that was launched by Jean Redele in 1962.
The 21st Century A110 is powered by a Renault-based 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 185kW and 320Nm, with Alpine’s own specific air intake, turbocharger, exhaust system and engine tune. The engine is mated to a Getrag seven-speed wet-clutch DCT gearbox.
With the body and chassis made of bonded aluminium, the new Alpine delivers what the company calls a competitive power-to-weight ratio and acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.
Three driving modes – Normal, Sport and Track – are available, which Alpine say makes the A110 suitable for both road and track use.
Racecar-spec aerodynamics include a completely flat floor and functional rear diffuser. The A110’s Cx (drag co-efficient) value of 0.32 is claimed to be amongst the lowest in the sports car segment.
Inside, the A110 features leather and carbon fibre trim, as well as exposed structural aluminium. Australian-delivered A110s are likely to feature similar specs to the European ‘Premiere Edition’, which would include:
- 18-inch Otto Fuchs forged aluminium wheels
- Sabelt monocoque sport seats
- Brembo sports braking system with calipers incorporating integrated parking brake and dual-material brake discs with aluminium hub
- Active lightweight sports exhaust
- Alpine-tuned Focal audio system
- Matte carbon fibre interior accents
- Brushed aluminium pedals
Further details on A110 specifications will be revealed closer to arrival. Renault Australia added that, following the production run of the special launch model in 2018, other variants will be available.
