Hotter Alpine A110S confirmed for Oz

After being spotted en route to the world's most famous sports car race, the Le Mans 24 Hour, a more potent Alpine A110S has been unveiled.

With a few engine tweaks to boost power by 30kW, the small mid-engined sports car now to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds – a tenth of a second quicker than the standard versions. Top speed has risen by 10km/h to 260km/h, too.

The new model will be available in Australia but you won't see it in showrooms.

"There are none on a boat making their way to Australia at this stage, but if a customer wants one, they can order one," Renault Australia corporate communications manager Alison Van Den Dungen told carsales.com.au.

While Renault Australia has confirmed it fill individual customer orders, local pricing is unknown at this stage. In Europe, the Alpine A110S is pegged at €66,500, which is about $A109,000.

However, given that the current Alpine A110 range sells for between $97,000 and $106,500 Australia, expect a significantly higher price point.

Riding 4mm lower to the ground than other Alpine A110s, the S also has 50 per cent stiffer spring rates and 100 per cent stiffer anti-roll bars.

Its also wears Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres with a compound specifically tailored for the sports car, which will make this particular model very attractive to customers seeking track days and tarmac rallies.

Brembo brakes with 320mm discs are standard fitment on the model.

Renault's standalone performance brand has boosted the 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine's power output from 185kW to 215kW, but peak torque remains unchanged at 320Nm.

The same turbo/intercooled engine sits under the bonnet of the hardcore Renault Megane RS Trophy hot hatch and pumps out a similar 220kW but ups the torque to 420Nm.

The reason the Alpine A110S can't deal with more twist is chiefly because the seven-speed dual-clutch Getrag auto is almost at its torque limit.

The Porsche Cayman competitor also gets an updated cabin with orange stitching and a suede-like finish throughout. Lightweight Sabelt seats are standard fitment too.

"From the very inception of the Alpine project it has been our intention to offer different versions of the A110 with handling and performance characteristics of their own," said Alpine managing director Sébastien Erphelin.

Expect further Alpine A110 special-editions down the track.