Currently reading: Hardcore Alpine A110S makes public debut at Tokyo
S version of Alpine's Porsche Cayman rival gets more power and bespoke suspensions settings for a more focused feel

The Alpine A110S has made its public debut at Tokyo motor show, having first been revealed in August.

The flagship model, which went on sale in September, is priced from £57,590 in the UK, including the cheapest paint option. 

All the news from the 2019 Tokyo motor show

The S commands a £6780 premium over the mid-range Légende variant, and can be specced in a range of five colours, the most expensive of which, matt grey, costs £4440. A new set of 18in black alloy wheels is exclusive to S trim, and a contrasting carbon roof can be equipped for £2208. 

Inside, the standard leather-Alcantara sports seats can be replaced with a pair of carbon-backed buckets for £1656, while bespoke floormats with blue stitching can be added for £110.

Driving aids such as hill start assist, cruise control and tyre pressure monitoring are equipped as standard, but a rear parking camera is optional at £480. 

The new A110 S is, according to the company, a true “focused sports car” with a “very different character” from existing versions of the two-seater.

The new range-topping variant of the mid-engined Alpine is built around a reworked version of the 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, with the turbo boost pressure increased by 0.4 bar.

That means the unit’s peak power output has risen by 49bhp to 288bhp, which arrives at 6400rpm, 400rpm higher than previously. Torque remains at 236lb ft but is available from 2000rpm to 6400rpm, 1400rpm higher than in a standard A110.

Alpine s 7138b

Retaining the seven-speed automatic gearbox from the standard Alpine, the A110 S can cover 0-62mph in 4.4sec – a 0.1sec improvement – and its top speed is 162mph. The A110 S retains the same aluminium body but has a different chassis configuration, with new stiffer coil suspension springs, retuned dampers and firmer anti-roll bars. 

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The ride height has been lowered by 4mm to increase stability. There are new wheels and new bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres (215mm at the front, 245mm at the rear) for increased mechanical grip. Brembo brake calipers with 320mm bi-material discs – available as an option on other A110 variants – are standard and the firm has reworked the electronic stability control.

Overall, the changes have increased the car’s weight slightly, from 1103kg to 1114kg. Jean-Pascal Dauce, Alpine’s engineering boss, said the changes were all designed with a focus on “high-speed stability and handling precision”. But he added that it would remain a “usable everyday car. The A110 S wouldn’t be a true Alpine if it was too firm or too hard riding to be driven day to day.”

Alpine s 7146j

As well as the mechanical changes, the A110 S features a number of bespoke styling elements, including carbonfibre and orange flag details on the rear pillars, orange brake calipers and a new wheel design. Inside, the A110 rangetopper comes with new upholstery and stitching, a leather steering wheel and aluminium pedals. 

Buyers can also opt for a carbonfibre roof, which reduces the car’s weight by 1.9kg.

Read more

Alpine A110 review

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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xxxx 9 August 2019

Only fools and horses

'matt grey, costs £4440.' for such a small Renault that's once expensive lick of paint.

On the other hand how can "contrasting carbon roof can be equipped for £2208" that must be the cheapest carbon roof ever

sbagnall 9 August 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

'matt grey, costs £4440.' for such a small Renault that's once expensive lick of paint.

On the other hand how can "contrasting carbon roof can be equipped for £2208" that must be the cheapest carbon roof ever

It's an Alpine isn't it?

catnip 10 August 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

'matt grey, costs £4440.' for such a small Renault that's once expensive lick of paint.

People are saying how cars look different in the flesh to how they appear in photos. For me matt finish cars may look ok in pictures, or under the bright lights of a show stand, but out on the road I think they look awful. The phrase "shiny new car" surely exists for a reason: I just think matt paint looks old, patchy and tired. Here's an idea, save the £4400, get a standard finish, leave it out in all weathers, never clean or polish it (there's another saving), and you'll end up with much the same look.

si73 11 August 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

'matt grey, costs £4440.' for such a small Renault that's once expensive lick of paint.

On the other hand how can "contrasting carbon roof can be equipped for £2208" that must be the cheapest carbon roof ever

I always thought these Matt finishes were wraps, didn't realise it was paint.

Andys 14 June 2019

still not good enough to beat

still not good enough to beat 4c

5cylinderT 14 June 2019

Andys wrote:

Andys wrote:

still not good enough to beat 4c

FINE!! ill see you 4c in the garage when i drive past and youll be in hospital with cramped everything.

Sporky McGuffin 9 August 2019

Andys wrote:

Andys wrote:

still not good enough to beat 4c

And yet in every head-to-head test the A110 has indeed beaten the 4C.

Will86 14 June 2019

Interior is fine

The point of this car is the driving experience. If you're hung up on the interior you're missing the primary purpose of this car. As for the handling and power upgrades, given the standard car is so sweet it'll be really interesting to see how this drives. Roll on the road test.