est-ce la meilleure des sportives ? Réponse dans notre essai

2022 Alpine A110 S: the Porsche method

New, the adjective is probably a little too strong. But improved, theA110 is for its 2022 vintage. And as with Porschea manufacturer who knows better than any other how to decline his models in very many variants, there are now Alpines for all tastes. The basic version (called A110 for short) remains unchanged with 252 hp at the rear wheels. The only real change for the latter is the adoption of a central touch screen with a new, more modern interface. If this equipment is obviously present on the other models, the top-of-the-range GT and S gain more from the change. Taking the standard chassis of its little sister but more richly equipped, the GT sees the power of the 1.8 Turbo increase to 300 hp and the torque also progressing with now 340 Nm (+20 Nm). This double gain was made possible thanks to adjustments requested from Getrag, the supplier of the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox for the A110. More radical, as is the GT3 in the range Porsche 911the A110 S receives the same engine and the large brakes of the GT by adding an optimized chassis. Combined springs / shock absorbers just like the anti-roll bars adopt firmer settings which, incidentally, remain the same as the S version (292 hp) marketed in 2019.

On board, the Sabelt bucket seats worthy of a racing car clearly indicate the vocation of the machine. And there is better. As an option, the S can receive an aero kit with a blade at the front and a rear wing which are in real carbon… as evidenced by the 5,400 € claimed. Enough to add support at high speed, the latter being for the occasion raised by 15 km / h, or 275 km / h anyway! Enough to seduce circuit enthusiasts, especially since Alpine is offering a latest innovation that changes everything on the track with the possibility of choosing special shoes, in other words Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slicks. Gentlemen, start your engine!

A110 S: small changes, big effects

It’s true that the weather is good all year round in the south-east of France, the place chosen by Alpine for the tests around the Castellet circuit. But there is a catch. The absence of clouds also has the effect of causing severe frosts at night and transforming the roads of the hinterland into a skating rink. With a normal car, there is already enough to afford some heat. With an A110 S shod in semi-slicks, the affair turns into a session of more or less artistic tricks. Let’s say it bluntly, the choice of these tires will have to be carefully considered and we advise future customers to plan for a more classic fit for the cold season. That said, this warm-up session before going to test the circuit at the wheel of the spiciest Alpine is already revealing several things. The first, and ultimately logical, is that the gain in power and torque is imperceptible compared to the old 292 hp version. Very clever indeed the one who would be able to feel the difference between 4.2 and 4.4 s to achieve the 0 to 100 km / h. In both cases, it pushes frankly with a 1.8 turbo of the tonic kind and an effective double clutch box even if it is necessary to switch it to sport mode to obtain from it more tone while freeing the exhaust so generous in sympathy backfires.

The other pleasant surprise about this Alpine S is that it is not a piece of wood. Admittedly, the machine spares its occupants less road defects compared to the standard chassis (really surprising on this point). But you don’t have your back broken after 100 km. On the other hand, it is clearly on the side of behavior that the deal changes. Where the classic A110s surprise with their body roll and a very playful behavior, the S relies on the precision of the front axle in particular, which we did not fail to check on the Castellet route. Once warmed up, the tires give you more grip, allowing you to carve lines with more precision and repel the effects of understeer. Enough to fully exploit the potential of a formidable toy on winding sections by switching to the Track driving mode which frees the driver (limited electronic aids and possibility of hitting the switch). The more seasoned can also, propulsion requires, have fun getting out of curves in generous commas, the machine bending there with good grace. Admittedly, the A110 is not the most powerful sports car in the world, but as it is among the lightest, it is a formidable hunter of lap times and large mechanical game that often exceed one and a half tonnes. What at the wheel of the French less stress the brakes and rubbers. Fans of “Track Day” including in particular Exclusive Drive of which AM is a partner will also appreciate the A110 S because the consumables end up being expensive when you’re having fun…

A110 S: attractive yes…but not the best

More rigorous, faster, more efficient, the Alpine A110 S (€71,500) is undoubtedly compared to its sisters. But in our opinion, this is not the best version. More playful with earlier slides that are easy to control while being more comfortable, the A110 (€59,500) and A110 GT (€69,500) are in our opinion more recommendable. Between the two, our heart leans in favor of the GT, both for its power equivalent to that of the S (300 hp) S while being more richly and luxuriously equipped. Afterwards, it’s a question of taste and use, a difficult choice that Porsche 911 enthusiasts know well…