Alpine A110 – interior and tech
Material and build quality is generally good, if not exceptional, but the A110's technology lags behind that of Porsche and BMW
Despite its relatively tiny dimensions the A110 doesn’t feel small or cramped inside. Previous Alpine MD Michael van der Sande is a towering 6-feet 7-inches tall and the car was designed to make sure even he fits in, so for anyone of remotely regular proportions there is plenty of room in which to operate. That said, the driving position is a little odd, with the steering wheel canted slightly like that of a bus, while the only way to adjust the seat height is with a set of spanners.
At least the cabin is neatly styled, even if it isn’t as eye-catching as the exterior. It takes a minimalist approach, with all the major controls grouped into the central infotainment screen, which features a new software system that’s better than before, if still a generation or two off the pace.
Ahead of the driver is a TFT dial pack that changes its visual theme dependent on whether you’ve selected Normal, Sport or Track modes – each can be accessed using a button on one of the steering wheel spokes.
Other driver aids include the Alpine Telematics function, which allows you to record and store lap times and performance data, plus it also delivers a number of real-time displays for parameters such as turbocharger pressure, various fluid temperatures and power and torque delivery.
Build quality is generally good, with some nice-looking and feeling materials used on the flagship S and GT models, including leather and Dinamica fabric. Some of the plastics give off a low-rent vibe and aren’t in keeping with a car that weighs in at as much as £60,000, but they are used sparingly and often are hidden from your main line of sight. The A110 R has the same tech and cabin layout but a more extreme ambience thanks to one-piece carbonfibre Sabelt seats, harnesses and fabric door pulls.
While the cabin is roomy, there's not a great deal of luggage space in either of the small luggage compartments. The rear boot will just about hold a carry-on-sized bag, while the ‘frunk’ might be more suitable for soft luggage as it’s more of a tray than a compartment. There are at least some extra storage bins in the cabin, notably one on the bulkhead between the seats that’s big enough for 500ml bottles and the like. The R is slightly more frustrating to use every day thanks to its blanked-off rear window, but it's still usable for more committed owners.
