2018 Alpine A110 revealed - Porsche Cayman rival due at Geneva show
French two-seater retains shape of 2016 concept and its spiritual predecessor; will focus on driver engagement over outright pace
The hotly anticipated Alpine A110 sports car has been revealed in pictures ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show.
The two-seater model is a rival to the Porsche 718 Cayman and a spiritual successor to the original 1960s A110 model. It retains the look of the 2016 Vision concept it's based upon, with a pinched bonnet and twin front headlights clear nods to the classic model.
Alpine?s new car sits low on relatively small wheels, supporting suggestions that it will be significantly lighter than its rivals. Alpine confirmed that the car's structure and upper body is made from aluminium, and that the quilted leather seats weigh 13.1kg each (see gallery) - which is half the weight of those in the Renault M?gane RS?.
The A110 is therefore expected to have a kerbweight of just over 1000kg. The Porsche 718 Cayman weighs 1405kg.
The car will use a set-up focused on driver engagement over outright pace, with skinnier tyres than its rivals to ensure a good balance of grip and power. It is expected to use a 1.8-litre petrol engine with as much as 300bhp on offer, derived from the turbocharged 1.6-litre unit of the Renault Clio RS.
A 0-62mph time of around 4.5sec is likely, which would bring the A110 into line with even the ultra-focused Porsche Cayman GT4.
Much of the car?s development has focused on aerodynamics, with a flat floor and complex rear diffuser negating the need for a spoiler. This has also enabled designers to retain the clean shape of the original at the car?s rear.
Alpine will officially reveal the A110 in Geneva next week. The model is expected to go on sale next year priced from around ?57,000 (about ?48,500), which is close to ?10,000 more than the entry-level 718 Cayman.