Limited-edition Alpine celebrates 100 years of Le Mans

Alpine has revealed the most extreme version of its A110 to mark 100 years of the epic Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2023.

You might guess there will be only 100 Alpine A110 R Le Mans built and the price tag of £120,000 certainly sets this car apart from others in the range.

You get your money’s worth, though, as the Le Mans uses design ideas from Alpine’s A480 LMP1 race car, such as the shark’s fin on the rear window to improve high-speed stability. That’s an important factor when the A110 R Le Mans has a top speed of 177mph and can cover 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds thanks to its 300hp 1.8-litre turbocharged engine. It sits on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

There are also influences from Alpine’s Formula 1 experience for the aerodynamics of this road-going model. Carbon fibre is used for much of the body and wheels to make it lighter, while the rear wing has sharp end tips to channel air as cleanly as possible over the car to generate real downforce just like the race cars.

As well as less weight, the Le Mans continues with its track focus with lowered suspension that has been firmed up to improve grip, handling and make the car sit perfectly on the road when driven at high speeds.

As a nod to the 24 Hours endurance race classic, the mostly white body of the Le Mans has the French Tricolour flag subtly included in the blue strip on the bonnet. There are also blue highlights on the wheels and rear wing, as well as “24H” logos to let others know you’re driving a very exclusive Alpine.

Need any more reminders? Then, inside the cabin there’s a plaque with each car’s unique production number and the sun visors have an outline of the famous track lasered into them.

As if all of this wasn’t enough to tempt you into an Alpine A110 R Le Mans, everyone who buys one of the limited-edition cars becomes a member of the Band of Racers.

This gives owners money-can’t-buy, behind the scenes access with the Alpine Endurance race team in 2024. That includes a lap of the Le Mans 24 Hours circuit in a race-prepped A110 R Le Mans the evening before the 2024 race.

Anyone who fancies joining this elite club had better get in quick as Alpine says the A110 R Le Mans is selling out just as fast as it can be driven.