New Alpine A110 R Turini proves less equals more

The French brand’s revised line-up sprinkles some welcome garnish atop the already delicious A110 recipe. From bold new colours to racier wheels, have Alpine’s additions made this a Michelin star-worthy motor?

Tipping the scales at a slight 1100 kg (depending on which variant you opt for) much of the A110’s allure derives from the agility and feedback provided by an almost total absence of excess fat. Acceleration, braking, handling, even fuel economy, they all report upticks when weight is shed. That’s why even the entry-level Alpine can offer a sub-5 second 0-60 mph sprint in tandem with over 40 mpg average economy.  

However, since it first wowed the motoring media back in 2017 there’s been a raft of new kids on the purist sports car block which, while not quite as dainty as the Alpine, offer a similar cocktail of back-to-basics thrills for comparable prices. Most recently, these flyweight adversaries have included the likes of Porsche’s Cayman, and Lotus’s last-ever petrol car: the Emira.  

So, what is Alpine doing to stay relevant against such tough competition? Well, quite a lot, as it happens. The Renault Group subsidiary has recently blown away the cobwebs as it announced a thorough refresh and expansion of the entire A110 range.

Starting with standard equipment, the 252-bhp base model now receives 18-inch Serac wheels, 320 mm ventilated brake discs, and various luxurious concessions such as aluminium pedals and footrests. All yours from a whisker under £55,000.  

Add ten grand and you’re into A110 GT territory. Offering an extra 50 bhp to play with (which goes a long way to improving performance when allied to such a lightweight chassis) the ‘sporty Grand Touring coupé’ of the range benefits from further interior refinements — including a Focal® Premium audio system and heated seats. Don’t worry, we were equally surprised that the latter wasn’t previously standard on a £65,000-car — we’d imagine Alpine would cite weight saving if questioned.  

Bridging the gap between mid-range and the crème de la crème, A110 S looks to ‘satisfy drivers looking for a more sophisticated driving experience, particularly on the racetrack.’ To that end you get special semi-slick tyres ( Michelin’s savagely sticky Pilot Sport Cup 2R are the most likely option) and optional aerodynamic add-ons, both ensuring the S remains welded to the tarmac at all times.

Alpine’s most notable addition must be the new R Turini model, though. Taking the hardcore, track-focused A110 R and optimising it for on-road performance, the Turini incorporates lashings of lightweight carbon fibre and a top speed on the exciting side of 170 mph. And, given its array of wings, spoilers, and diffusers, it’s not the A110 for shrinking violets. True extroverts can demand even more attention by opting for the new Orange Corail paint finish; we’ll stick to Blue de France, thanks.  

Have Alpine’s revisions whet your appetite for a lightweight ICE sports car? Let us know if you’d bag an A110 over the new Lotus Emira.  

Hero image credit:  Alpine