Most extreme Alpine A110 yet spotted testing at the Nürburgring
Following the A110 R, Alpine is preparing an even more focused variant with aggressive geometry and aero upgrades
With its intricate carbonfibre wheels, bolt on aero devices and fully adjustable suspension, it's hard to conceive of a more extreme A110 than the track-focused R version, but Alpine is developing such a machine. As these spy shots indicate, the firm has taken to the Nürburgring to develop what could be a Porsche Cayman GT4 RS-rivalling coupe with a series of bespoke components never seen before on an A110.
Some elements of this prototype – including its bonnet nostrils, side skirt extensions, rear diffuser and swan-neck wing – are recognisable from the A110 R, but others are model-specific. A new bonnet has been installed with an additional pair of air-exit channels similar to those on the latest 911 GT3 RS – in the Porsche, these release hot air from the front radiator along the sides of the car to improve efficiency and downforce. Alpine has also fitted canards to the front bumper, with a shark fin rear deck and a new lip spoiler to maintain an optimal aero balance.
The more focused variant could adopt the fully adjustable coilover suspension from the A110 R, with this test car sitting low to the ground with the wheels tucked up into the arches. There’s visibly more negative camber on both axles than a standard A110 R, indicating that the new model will arrive with a unique geometry setup.
The brake package also appears to be uprated with new grooved discs, which are set behind bespoke wheels in place of the A110 R’s carbonfibre items. It’s uncertain whether these chassis and aero modifications will be teamed with a power upgrade; the A110’s Getrag 7spd dual-clutch gearbox is already near its limits in the A110 S and R, both of which generate 296bhp and 251lb ft of torque from a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
From our experience the A110 R’s chassis can certainly handle extra power, and if this new model costs significantly more than the R’s £96,990 starting price, Alpine might be planning serious powertrain alterations to unlock more grunt.
