Hard-core 1082kg Alpine A110 R revealed

Alpine has debuted its most aggressive, most focused and most track-capable sports car ever, in the form of the sharper and lighter new 2023 Alpine A110 R.

But before you get your hopes up, the hard-core French coupe isn’t coming to Australia because of the same ADR 85 pole side impact regulation that saw the standard Alpine A110 – as well as the Nissan GT-R and a range of Lexus models – axed Down Under from November 2021.

Still, the A110 R would certainly have been a tasty addition to the mid-engined sports car line-up with its 1082kg kerb weight, enhanced aerodynamics, extra carbon bits, upgraded braking system, adjustable suspension and sharper rear-drive chassis tune.

That impressive kerb weight is actually 34kg lighter than the already-featherweight A110 S, and comes courtesy of a carbon-fibre bonnet, wheels, rear window and seats.

All of those exterior features as well as the bespoke carbon side skirts, rear wing, rear diffuser and front splitter have been redesigned to increase downforce, with the tweaks said to result in an extra 29kg of downforce generated at the A110 R’s 285km/h top speed – and that’s compared to the A110 S Aero Kit version.

The reduced weight and extra downforce is matched under the skin by 20-way adjustable shock absorbers, lowered springs, stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slick tyres and a Brembo high-performance brake system with 320mm composite discs at all four corners.

Power and torque still come courtesy of the Renault Megane RS-sourced 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and the outputs are still pegged at 224kW/340Nm.

Also as per other A110s, drive is shipped to the rear axle by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and distributed between the wheels via a limited-slip differential.

But the claimed 0-100km/h acceleration times drops to 3.9 seconds, making the lighter A110 R the fastest variant to date as well as the most aggressive.

The R’s more focused persona is reflected within the cabin by the all-microfiber upholstery, red strap door-pulls, previously mentioned carbon-fibre bucket seats and six-point racing harness.

“Extreme, light, more streamlined, and more inspired by motor sports than ever – ‘radical’ is the only way of describing the car that now sits as the crowning jewel of the A110 line-up,” said Alpine.

“The ultimate expression of lightness and performance, the Alpine A110 R was designed to be sensational on the racetrack yet still certified for the open road.”

According to the French brand’s local distributor, Ateco Automotive, Aussies won’t have access to a new Alpine until the next-generation model lines – including the Porsche Macan EV-rivalling Alpine GT X-Over electric performance SUV due in 2025 – are released globally, signalling the start of the Renault sister brand’s EV transition.

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