The Renault Alpine A110: A French Legend of Sports Cars
Introduction
The Renault Alpine A110 is a sports car that evokes passion, performance, and innovation in the world of sports cars. For over six decades, the Alpine brand has been synonymous with racing success, elegant design, and technological excellence. From the original A106 to the latest A110, the Alpine cars have always been distinguished by their lightweight, agile, and distinctive character. This essay will provide an overview of the Renault Alpine A110's history, models, achievements, and future.
History
The Alpine story began in 1955, when Jean Rédélé, a young Renault dealer and rally driver, decided to create his own sports car based on the Renault 4CV. Inspired by his victories in the Alpine Rally and the Coupe des Alpes, he named his car Alpine, and founded the Société des Automobiles Alpine in Dieppe, France. ¹
The first Alpine model was the A106, a small coupe with a fibreglass body and a tubular chassis, powered by a modified 4CV engine. The A106 was followed by the A108, which shared the same mechanicals but had a more refined design and a convertible option. The A108 also spawned the first Alpine GT, the A108 Berlinette Tour de France, which had a more powerful engine and a sleeker body. ¹
The breakthrough model for Alpine came in 1962, with the launch of the A110. The A110 was based on the A108, but had a wider track, a longer wheelbase, and a more aerodynamic shape. The A110 also had a variety of engine options, ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 litres, sourced from Renault and Gordini. The A110 was a formidable competitor in rallying, winning several championships and events, such as the Monte Carlo Rally, the Tour de Corse, and the International Championship for Manufacturers. The A110 also became a popular road car, with over 7,000 units sold by 1977. ¹
The Alpine brand was acquired by Renault in 1973, and continued to produce sports cars under the Alpine-Renault name. The A310, the successor to the A110, was a more modern and luxurious coupe, with a V6 engine and a rear-mounted gearbox. The A310 was also successful in rallying, especially in the Group 4 category. The A310 was followed by the GTA and the A610, which were more powerful and refined, but less agile and charismatic than the A110. The Alpine production ceased in 1995, after the A610 failed to meet sales expectations. ¹
The Alpine brand was revived in 2012, when Renault announced a partnership with Caterham to develop a new sports car. The partnership was dissolved in 2014, but Renault continued the project on its own, and unveiled the Alpine Vision concept in 2016. The concept was a homage to the A110, with a similar design and philosophy. The production version, the A110, was launched in 2017, as the first new Alpine model in 22 years. The A110 was praised by critics and customers for its lightweight, agile, and fun-to-drive character, as well as its modern technology and comfort. The A110 also spawned several variants, such as the A110 S, the A110 Légende GT, and the A110 R. ²
Models
The Renault Alpine A110 has been produced in two generations: the original A110 from 1962 to 1977, and the new A110 from 2017 to present. The original A110 had several versions, depending on the engine, the body style, and the market. Some of the most notable versions are:
- The A110 1300G, which had a 1.3-litre Gordini engine with 105 hp, and was the most common version of the A110. It had a top speed of 200 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 9.1 seconds. ³
- The A110 1600S, which had a 1.6-litre Renault engine with 138 hp, and was the most powerful version of the A110. It had a top speed of 220 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds. It was also the most successful version in rallying, winning several events and championships. ³
- The A110 1800, which had a 1.8-litre Lotus engine with 180 hp, and was the rarest version of the A110. It had a top speed of 240 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds. It was only produced in 1974, and only 13 units were made. ³The new A110 has four main versions, depending on the power, the equipment, and the market. Some of the most notable versions are:
- The A110 Première Edition, which was the first version of the new A110, limited to 1,955 units, as a reference to the year of Alpine's foundation. It had a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine with 252 hp, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It had a top speed of 250 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. It also had a sporty suspension, Brembo brakes, and 18-inch wheels. ⁴
- The A110 S, which is the most powerful and sporty version of the new A110, with 292 hp from the same 1.8-litre turbocharged engine. It has a top speed of 260 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds. It also has a stiffer suspension, a lower ride height, a carbon-fibre roof, and 18-inch wheels. ⁴
- The A110 Légende GT, which is the most luxurious and exclusive version of the new A110, with a limited production of 400 units. It has the same 252 hp engine as the Première Edition, but with a more refined interior, featuring leather seats, a leather steering wheel, a leather dashboard, and a numbered plaque. It also has a gold paint, a translucent rear spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. ⁴
- The A110 R, which is the most radical and track-focused version of the new A110, with a limited production of 300 units. It has the same 292 hp engine as the A110 S, but with a lighter body, a roll cage, a racing seat, a six-point harness, and a fire extinguisher. It also has a carbon-fibre bonnet, a carbon-fibre rear wing, and 18-inch wheels. ⁴
Achievements
The Renault Alpine A110 has been one of the most successful sports cars in motorsport history, especially in rallying. Some of the most notable achievements are:
- The A110 won the International Championship for Manufacturers in 1971, the predecessor of the World Rally Championship, beating rivals such as Porsche, Lancia, and Ford. The A110 also won the European Rally Championship in the same year. ⁵
- The A110 won the first World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 1973, with six victories out of 13 events. The A110 also achieved a historic 1-2-3 finish at the Monte Carlo Rally, the most prestigious rally in the world. The A110 also won the Tour de Corse, the Acropolis Rally, and the Sanremo Rally. ⁵
- The A110 won the Rallye des Pharaons in 1974, a gruelling rally across the deserts of Egypt and Sudan. The A110 also won the Rallye du Maroc, the Rallye Côte d'Ivoire, and the Rallye du Portugal. ⁵
- The A110 won the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique in 2012, 2013, and 2014, a historic rally that recreates the original Monte Carlo Rally route. The A110 also won the Tour Auto Optic 2000 in 2013 and 2014, a historic rally that follows the route of the Tour de France Automobile. ⁶
- The new A110 won the Autocar Britain's Best Sports Car award in 2018, beating rivals such as the Porsche Cayman, the Lotus Elise, and the BMW M2. The new A110 also won the Top Gear Magazine Sports Car of the Year award in 2018, and the What Car? Sports Car of the Year award in 2019. ⁷
Future
The Renault Alpine A110 has a bright future ahead, as the Alpine brand is expanding its range and its presence in the global market. Some of the future plans are:
- The Alpine A110 will be launched in new markets, such as Japan, Australia, and Canada, in 2020 and 2021, increasing its sales and visibility. The Alpine A110 will also be updated with new features and options, such as a manual transmission, a convertible version, and a hybrid version.
- The Alpine brand will introduce new models, such as an SUV, a sedan, and a hatchback, based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance platforms and technologies. The new models will aim to combine the Alpine DNA of lightness, agility, and performance.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 07/03/2024
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