Alpine A110 S Coupe - Lighter, Faster, Better
The Alpine A110 S is the sharper, lighter, more focused evolution of Alpine's celebrated mid-engined coupe, delivering 288 hp from a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, all within a body that weighs just 1,114 kg (2,456 lb). It is the sports car that purists argued should never have needed to exist, because the standard A110 was already so good, and yet it proves that the platform had more to give without sacrificing the essential character that made the original revival such a critical success.
Why the A110 S Exists: More Than Just More Power
Alpine's return in 2017 with the A110 was one of the most acclaimed sports car launches of the decade. A mid-engined, aluminium-intensive coupe weighing under 1,100 kg in base form, it delivered handling precision that shamed heavier, more powerful rivals. The A110 S was not conceived simply to add horsepower: it was built to push the chassis to its limit through suspension recalibration, structural stiffening, and weight reduction, while keeping the power increase modest enough to remain manageable on road and track.
Chassis and Suspension: The Real Upgrade
The A110 S runs coil springs that are 50% stiffer than the standard car, paired with retuned dampers and hollow anti-roll bars that are 100% stiffer front and rear. Ride height drops by approximately 4 mm, tightening the car's responses without introducing the harshness that plagues rival track-focused variants. The result is a car that corners with remarkable composure and communicates through the steering in a way that heavier, more electronically managed sports cars rarely achieve.
Braking is handled by standard-fit Brembo units with bi-material rotors, and optional Fuchs alloy wheels, the same supplier behind the legendary Porsche 911 classic wheels, carry Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres in staggered sizing (215/40R18 front, 245/40R18 rear). As Autoblog's first-drive review confirmed, the handling balance is exceptional: neutral, adjustable, and rewarding for drivers willing to explore the limits.
Carbon Roof, Dinamica Interior, Orange Stitching
The roof panel is constructed from carbon fibre, trimming mass from the highest point of the car to lower the centre of gravity further. Inside, Dinamica microsuede upholstery covers the seats and door panels, contrasting with orange stitching that references Alpine's motorsport identity. The cabin is purposeful rather than sparse: every material choice reinforces the performance intent without stripping the car of the refinement that makes the A110 liveable on a daily basis.
The A110 S delivers a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds and is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Those figures are not dramatic on paper, but in a car this light and this connected, they translate to a driving experience that Alpine's own press materials describe as occupying a category of one.
The A110 S and the US Market
The A110 S went on sale in Europe in late 2019, but, as with the standard A110, it was not offered in the United States. American drivers seeking the mid-engined French sports car experience were left without an official route to ownership, a situation that has defined Alpine's relationship with the US market since the brand's modern revival began.
Explore Exceptional Sports Cars at TheArsenale
The A110 S represents the best of European sports car thinking: lightness first, power as a secondary tool, and driving feel above all else. For those who share that philosophy, the TheArsenale car collection brings together machines with equally focused intent, including the Nardone 928 Porsche Restomod, the Project M Ferrari 308 GTS Restomod, and the Salaff C2 Coachbuilt Supercar, each a statement of what bespoke sports car engineering can achieve.
