Renault Alpine A110-50

Last week we showed you the first glimpse of Renault's Alpine A110-50 concept, and now the French manufacturer has released a raft of images and detailed technical specs of the jaw-dropping design study.

As previously reported, the Alpine A110-50 (which chalks up the 50th anniversary of the iconic A110) is based on the same platform as the Megane Trophy racer, so it clearly has genuine competition pedigree.

Weighing just 880kg, the car's carbon-fibre body panels are clothed around a tubular steel frame chassis and tucked directly aft of the cabin is a V4Y 3.5-litre V6 that kicks out 294kW at 7200rpm and 422Nm of twist at a peaky 6200rpm.

Renault's press blurb doesn't reveal any performance figures, but with just 3kg per kilowatt to haul around, we'd be surprised if it doesn't crack the 0-100km/h split in the 3.0 second bracket.

Hooked up to the V6 is an F1-style semi-automatic six-speed sequential gearbox, as well as a twin-plate clutch that can be controlled using either the clutch pedal or a paddle on the steering wheel.

The gearbox is fitted longitudinally behind the engine and incorporates a limited-slip differential (discs and ramps) with adjustable pre-loading.

Although the chassis is sourced from the Megane Trophy racer, Renault claims it's been stiffened and lowered to adapt it to the design of the Alpine, which features a 52/48 per cent weight distribution over front and rear wheels respectively.

The company clearly envisaged competitive action in the car's design brief as it features built-in pneumatic jacks to facilitate quick wheel-changes. The wheels themselves are 21-inchers (8 inches wide at the front and 9.5 at the rear), wrapped in road-homologated Michelin tyres.

Meanwhile, the Sachs dampers can be adjusted in compression and extension, and are mounted directly onto the lower wishbones. Renault claims there are numerous different set-up options in terms of castor, camber and alignment, ride height and anti-roll.

Diehard purists may also celebrate the fact that the car is devoid of driver aids such as ABS and traction control. However, we'd imagine these would be added if the vehicle were ever to be built and sold as a road car.

Stopping power promises to be up to the mark, thanks to 356mm-diameter steel discs with six-piston callipers at the front and 330mm discs with four-piston callipers at the rear.

Renault says the Alpine A110-50's aerodynamics were honed through expertise gained from F1 and other forms of motorsport, the result of which is a comprehensive aero package that includes a pronounced front splitter, rear diffuser and an adjustable rear wing.

Stylistic highlights (literally) include full LED yellow lighting, a 3D rear window that reveals the mid-rear engine, and air intakes on the flanks that echo the ducts on the rear wheel arches of the original Berlinette. To be exact, the right-hand opening is for gearbox cooling, the left is for the engine bay.

Fittingly, the carbon-fibre bodywork (which features scissor-action doors) is coated in a new shade of blue that "refreshes and reinterprets the famous original Alpine Blue".

ENGINE
Position: Longitudinal, mid-rear
Type: 3498cc V6
Bore x stroke: 95.5mm x 81.4mm
Injection/ignition: Magneti-Marelli Marvell 6R
Maximum power: 294kW at 7200rpm

SUSPENSION & BRAKES
Suspension: Double wishbones, adjustable two-way Sachs damper/spring assemblies, front anti-roll bar
Front brakes: Ventilated steel discs (356mm x 32mm) with six-piston AP Racing callipers
Rear brakes: Steel discs (330mm x 32mm) with four-piston AP Racing callipers

WHEELS & TYRES
Wheels: Aluminium alloy; Front: 8x21-inch/ Rear: 9.5x21-inch
Tyres: Michelin 245-35 x 21 (front) and 265-35 x 21 (rear)

DIMENSIONS, CAPACITIES
Length/width/height: 4330mm/1961mm/1230mm
Front/rear track: 1680mm/ 1690mm
Fuel tank: 30 litres
Kerb weight: 880kg

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