New Alpine A110 R: with "R" for radical

Alpine completes the A110 range with a very special version, the new Alpine A110 R. And just how special it is can be seen in its price, which already sets it apart from the most expensive A110 available until now, the A110 Tour de Corse 75: the new A110 R has a price of 103,000 euros, more than 20,000 euros above the limited special edition.

So what does the Alpine A110 R have to justify this difference, when the engine remains the 1.8 turbo four-cylinder in its 300 CV variant? Plenty of small things that turn the French coupé into an even more radical sports car. The easiest option would have been to give the turbo a “twist of the screw” to gain 40 or 50 CV. Instead, the only engine modification is a new double-walled exhaust system with post-injection to achieve a more powerful sound.

But the A110 R is tuned down to the smallest detail with the aim of providing the best driving experience on the track, without giving up the ability to keep being driven on the road.

The lightest Alpine A110: carbon fibre even in the wheels

First measure: weight reduction. A diet that, by saving grams here and there, brings the A110 R’s final weight down to 1,082 kg. In total that is 34 kg less than the Alpine A110 S, which puts the power-to-weight ratio at 3.6 kg/CV. Hence the improvement in acceleration: the A110 R needs just 3.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill (using the Launch Control function), and covers the first 1,000 metres in 21.9 seconds. Don’t look for references: it is, indeed, one of the fastest cars in its class.

To achieve this weight reduction, the A110 R uses a carbon fibre bonnet (saving 2.9 kg). The wheels are also made entirely of this material, which cuts no less than 12.5 kg compared with aluminium alloy wheels. In addition, their specific design improves brake cooling. The black carbon roof contrasts with the matt blue colour chosen for the launch of the A110 R, the same as the single-seater of the BWT Alpine F1 Team.

More carbon fibre is found inside, in this case in the seats, which saves another 5 kg. Incidentally, as befits a car destined to be driven on the track sooner rather than later, it is fitted with a 6-point safety harness. Another area where weight is reduced is the rear screen. Here too carbon fibre is used, replacing the glass rear window to form a kind of engine bay cover, integrating two air intakes.

Optimised aerodynamics and chassis

The wind tunnel in which the Alpine F1 team tunes its single-seaters has been the key tool for optimising the efficiency of the A110 R’s bodywork in the battle against the wind. In its track configuration, Alpine has managed to reduce aerodynamic drag by 5%, allowing the A110 R to reach a top speed of 280 km/h. But even more important is the increase in rear-axle downforce, which reaches 29 kg (at maximum speed).

To achieve this, a specific rear spoiler is fitted, along with a redesigned diffuser and flat underbody. The spoiler, with “swan neck” supports, is less steeply angled and has a smaller angle of attack than on the A110 S. As for the diffuser, made of carbon and fibreglass, it is larger and its fins have been modified: they are bigger and lower, with a profile that guides the air to the very end of it.

All these modifications are accompanied by a special chassis setup, with the bodywork height lowered by 10 mm, and the option to lower it a further 10 mm thanks to the adjustable suspension. Springs 10% stiffer and more rigid anti-roll bars (10% stiffer at the front axle and 25% stiffer at the rear) are also used, while the dampers offer 20 adjustment positions in compression and rebound. The “cherry on top” is the high-performance Brembo brakes and the semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres as standard, in sizes 215/40-18 at the front and 245/40-18 for the rear axle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jKFn29whbw&feature=youtu.be

Alpine A110 R – Image gallery