The sun is setting over the lavender fields of Provence as a low, compact silhouette carves through the curves of the Route Napoléon. The sound is not a screaming V8 or a wailing V12. It is the purposeful hum of a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, working in harmony with a chassis that weighs less than 1,100 kilograms. This is the Alpine A110 R, the lightest way to go fast in France, and it is a car that proves power is not everything.
The A110 R is the most extreme version of Alpine’s modern sports car. It is a car built around subtraction rather than addition, a car that prioritizes weight reduction, aerodynamic efficiency, and chassis precision over horsepower. It is a car that represents the purest expression of Alpine’s philosophy: compact, light, agile, and rewarding to drive.
The Weight: 34 kg Lighter Than the A110 S
The A110 R weighs just 1,082 kilograms, 34 kg less than the A110 S. The weight savings come from a combination of carbon fiber components: a carbon front bonnet, carbon roof, carbon rear diffuser, carbon side skirts, and a carbon rear spoiler with gooseneck attachment. The most significant weight reduction comes from the carbon fiber wheels, which save 12.5 kg compared to the A110 S.
The carbon wheels are a technical showcase. Each wheel is a two-piece construction, with an identical eight-spoke structure on both front and rear, but with perforated flanges at the front for brake cooling and a full flange at the rear for better aerodynamics. The wheels are developed exclusively for the A110 R, with a specific dynamic performance and mechanical fine-tuning.
The Powertrain: 300 HP, 3.9 Seconds
The A110 R is powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 340 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with specific calibration for the R chassis.
The performance figures are impressive. The A110 R accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, making it the first Alpine A110 to break the four-second barrier. The top speed is 285 km/h, achieved on the track. The power-to-weight ratio is 3.6 kg per horsepower.
The engine is not the focus of the A110 R. It is the same engine as the A110 S, with the same output. The focus is on weight reduction and chassis precision. The result is a car that is faster than the A110 S, not because it has more power, but because it has less weight.
The Chassis: 10% Stiffer, 10 mm Lower
The A110 R’s chassis is a significant evolution of the A110 S. The suspension is 10% stiffer, with new springs and anti-roll bars that are 10% stiffer at the front and 25% stiffer at the rear. The ride height is 10 mm lower than the A110 S, and it can be adjusted by an additional 10 mm on the track.
The suspension uses multi-adjustable Sachs dampers, with specific calibration for the R chassis. The braking system is a Brembo setup with bimaterial discs of 320 mm diameter at both axles, with improved cooling for track use.
The steering is direct and communicative, with a natural feel that is rare in modern electric systems. The car responds with precision and predictability, inspiring confidence even at the limit.
The Aerodynamics: 29 kg More Downforce
The A110 R’s aerodynamic package is a significant evolution of the A110 S Aero Kit. The car generates 29 kg more downforce and has 5% less drag. The rear spoiler is mounted on gooseneck attachments, a design derived from motorsport.
The result is a car that is stable at high speed, with exceptional grip and cornering ability. The car is designed to be as comfortable on the track as it is on the road.
The Interior: A Race Car for the Road
The A110 R’s interior is a blend of race car function and road car comfort. The Sabelt carbon bucket seats are single-skin units with strategically positioned pads attached with Velcro. They are supportive and comfortable, even on long journeys.
Six-point harnesses are standard, with no traditional seatbelt. The harnesses are a statement of intent, and they bring added safety for track use. However, they make daily use more frustrating, especially for the passenger, whose seat is bolted in place.
The interior features a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices. The system is fully connected for over-the-air updates. The interior also features telematics functions, displaying turbo pressure, gearbox temperature, engine power and torque, and steering wheel angle.
The Route Napoléon Evening
The A110 R has completed its drive along the Route Napoléon. Its 300 horsepower has delivered the performance that makes it one of the most engaging sports cars on the road. The carbon fiber chassis and advanced aerodynamics have kept it planted through the curves. The driver, cocooned in the Sabelt bucket seat, has experienced a level of performance that is as exclusive as it is extraordinary.
The A110 R is not a car for everyone. It is a car for those who value the pure, unfiltered experience of driving, who are willing to accept the compromises of a car that is built for the track. But it represents a significant moment in automotive history. It is the lightest way to go fast in France, and it proves that subtraction is sometimes the most effective path to performance.
The A110 R is not just a car. It is a statement. It is a reminder that even in an era of electrification and automation, Alpine remains committed to the pure, unfiltered joy of driving. The lightest way to go fast has arrived. And it is unforgettable.
