The Alpine A110 Rally is already eager to hit the tarmac

Following the reveal of the racing Alpine A110S, the brand has just launched the Alpine A110 Rally. The name tells you almost everything you need to know about the new model: it is a rear-wheel-drive rally car for private teams and drivers aiming for FIA R-GT homologation.

The Alpine A110 Rally becomes the third competition version based on the manufacturer’s revived sports car, after the Alpine A110 Cup and Alpine A110 GT4. Officially debuting at the Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine (from 5 to 7 September), the Alpine A110 Rally has been developed by Alpine’s racing partner, Signatech, using the lightweight aluminium chassis of the Alpine A110 GT4 and Cup racing cars.

Naturally, the car has received additional modifications to make it suitable for rallying, including three-way adjustable hydraulic suspension, new Brembo brakes, as well as sport-specific safety features such as an FIA-homologated roll cage, Sabelt bucket seats and a six-point harness system.

The 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine of the A110 road car has also been adapted for rally use and now features a modified torque curve and higher output of over 300 horsepower. As with the Alpine A110 Cup, the engine is connected to a six-speed sequential gearbox (plus reverse) and a limited-slip differential.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD4TqVHIks0

Eager to carve corners

The new Alpine A110 Rally also features a racing steering wheel with paddle shifters and integrated display, an adjustable traction control system and Bosch Motorsports ABS. The only options available are a data acquisition system and Alpine Blue paint.

The Alpine A110 Rally has undergone an intense development programme with French two-wheel-drive champion Emmanuel Guigou and the 2015 French junior champion Laurent Pellier, who put it through its paces. The two drivers will carry out most of the development work to test reliability and the basic setup. However, other drivers will also add their input to make the Alpine A110 Rally as versatile, easy to drive and affordable as possible.

Admittedly, not everyone will find it affordable, as the base price will be €150,000, before taxes. The Alpine A110 Rally will be available to buy at the end of the year, subject to FIA R-GT homologation. The first cars will reach customers in early 2020.

Régis Fricotté, Alpine’s sales and competition director, has stated that “this return to the rally world is highly anticipated, given how much Alpine has marked the history of the discipline by becoming the first established constructor World Champion in 1973. To ensure the success of this new adventure, we have entrusted the study, development, production and marketing of the Alpine A110 Rally to Signatech, our partner in our entry in the FIA WEC World Championship and our Cup and GT4 activities. The Alpine A110 Rally promises to be a very beautiful car of formidable efficiency.”