Alpine A110 R 2024: Lightweight Track-Focused Sports Car

The 2024 Alpine A110 R stands as the most extreme iteration of Alpine’s acclaimed mid-engine sports car lineup, prioritizing weight reduction and chassis refinement over brute power. At a featherlight 1,082kg, it accelerates from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 177mph, thanks to strategic lightweighting and aerodynamic tweaks. This model embodies Alpine’s philosophy of purity in driving dynamics, delivering sensations closer to a race car while remaining viable for everyday roads.

Design and Aerodynamic Mastery

Alpine’s engineers have sculpted the A110 R with functional aesthetics that enhance performance without excess. Carbon-fiber components, including the hood, roof, engine cover, and rear hatch, shave precious kilograms, contributing to its sub-1,100kg curb weight. The absence of a rear windscreen, replaced by a sleek carbon cover, not only reduces mass but streamlines airflow.

Aggressive aerodynamic elements define its stance: pronounced side skirts, a substantial rear diffuser, and a fixed carbon-fiber rear wing generate 29kg more rear downforce at top speed compared to the A110 S with an aero kit, alongside a 5% drag reduction. Lightweight carbon-fiber wheels further minimize unsprung mass, improving responsiveness. These changes lower the car’s profile by 10mm standard, with an additional 10mm manual drop option for track use.

• Key Exterior Highlights:
• Carbon-fiber hood, roof, and engine cover for ~60-pound weight savings
• No rear glass; carbon rear hatch for better aero flow
• Functional rear wing and diffuser boosting downforce
• Carbon wheels reducing rotational inertia

Interior Refinements for Driver Focus

Inside, the cabin embraces a minimalist, track-oriented ethos trimmed in microfiber and carbon fiber. Padded one-piece carbon bucket seats with six-point harnesses provide exceptional lateral support, ideal for high-g cornering, while remaining comfortable for road drives. The harnesses, though restrictive for urban maneuvers like parallel parking, enhance safety and immersion on circuits.

Despite the stripped-back approach, usability persists: dual luggage compartments are retained, and the seats offer well-positioned padding without snags. Creature comforts like climate control and infotainment are preserved, ensuring the R isn’t wholly unlivable daily. The deletion of the passenger airbag aids weight savings, legal in Europe for such setups.

Powertrain: Efficiency Over Excess

Central to the A110 R is a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While rivals boast six cylinders, Alpine’s setup aligns with its lightweight mantra, delivering raspy exhaust notes, pops, and bangs that punch above the engine’s displacement. The powertrain feels immediate and rabid on roads, with the gearbox shifting seamlessly.

Critics note it’s functional rather than emotional at £94,990, but the 0.3-second quicker 0-62mph over the S underscores the weight advantage. Top speed climbs to 177mph from the S’s 161mph, emphasizing supercar aspirations without engine enlargement.

Chassis Dynamics: Precision Redefined

The A110 R’s chassis elevates handling to sensational levels. Stiffer springs (10% increase), front anti-roll bars (10% stiffer), and rear bars (25% stiffer) combine with ZF adjustable dampers for poise. It sits lower, changing direction with impressive rate and balance, exhibiting no understeer even at elevated speeds.

Steering is electronically assisted yet richly communicative, perfectly weighted for lightness exploitation without detachment. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires yield prodigious dry grip, while 320mm vented steel brakes (no ceramics needed due to low mass) offer firm, confidence-inspiring stopping. On track, it feels race-car direct; on road, predictable and compliant when softened.

• Chassis Upgrades:
• 10% stiffer springs, adjustable height drop
• Anti-roll bars: +10% front, +25% rear
• ZF dampers with knob adjustment
• Superb steering feedback and balance

On-Road Experience: Balance Amid Firmness

Daily usability tempers the R’s track focus. The ride, firmer than standard, handles high-speed undulations superbly but fidgets over ruts and transmits tire roar on rough patches. At cruise, the engine is unobtrusive, seats comfy despite harnesses, and adjustability softens compliance on smooth asphalt.

Compromises include nerve-wracking blind-spot exits sans rear screen and harness discomfort over time. Yet, it outperforms other A110s in fun-per-pound, retaining 95% of base model roadability without extremes.

Track Supremacy: Where the R Shines

On circuits, the A110 R is unparalleled in its lineage – lighter, more direct, with aero grip enabling higher corner speeds. Harnessed in, it mimics racing purity, devouring corners with minimal roll and maximal feedback. Brakes endure laps without fade, and the chassis’ adjustability tailors behavior precisely.

It’s the best A110 for track days, amplifying the base car’s strengths without power overload.

Verdict: Near-Perfect Driver’s Machine

The 2024 A110 R excels as a lightweight sports car benchmark, blending track lethality with road tolerance. At £94,990, its four-pot powertrain may deter some, but unmatched dynamics justify it for enthusiasts valuing purity. Other A110s offer similar joy sans compromises, yet the R’s extremes captivate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the weight of the 2024 Alpine A110 R?

It weighs 1,082kg, the lightest A110 variant, thanks to extensive carbon-fiber use.

How fast is the A110 R from 0-62mph?

3.9 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than the A110 S due to reduced mass.

Is the A110 R suitable for daily driving?

Yes, with adjustable suspension and retained comforts, though firmer ride and harnesses limit urban ease.

What tires does it use?

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 for exceptional dry grip.

Price of the 2024 A110 R?

Starts at £94,990 in the UK.