FiestaST
Honorary Master
Anna on Roads review of the A110 S
-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: Will you be subscribing to the new Disney+ R49 streaming package?
The Alpine Cars Thread
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
FiestaST
Honorary Master
DriverReviews review of the Alpine A290
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Blue genes: the Alpine A290 is a ray of hope for the hot hatch
Here comes Alpine’s hot take on the Renault 5...
As a seedling for some of the most loved and least sane hot hatches ever made, the original Renault 5 was prolific. There was the loopy rally homologation, 970kg, mid-engined Turbo 1 in 1978 with a (not so loopy these days) 160bhp from its turbo 1.4-litre engine.
The more mainstream 115bhp GT Turbo that (after a few seconds of lag, natch) boosted onto the hot hatch scene in 1985 and gave modifiers something cheap and readily available to tinker with right through the 1990s and early 2000s.
And the 1976 Renault 5 Gordini (known fittingly as the Renault 5 Alpine everywhere except the UK) that, along with the MkI VW Golf GTI that arrived a couple of months after, helped kickstart the hot hatch movement.
Renault, or more precisely Alpine – its spicy sub-brand that’s been carved off as a separate entity – wasn’t about to miss out on heritage like that. So mere weeks after first shaking hands with the new 5 in France, we’re in Mallorca finding out whether Alpine, the architect of the sublime featherweight A110 sports car, can turn an EV supermini into a bona fide performance car.
Manufacturers are deserting the hot hatch segment with alarming regularity, so is this the car to introduce the joys of small, nimble and mildly overpowered shopping trolleys to a whole new generation?
We have the range topping FWD 217bhp GTS, aka the one you want, 0-60mph in a Fiesta ST matching 6.4secs. Quick enough for a compact hot hatch, despite weighing 1,479kg – which is both horrifying and commendable, given that’s 200kg lighter than the equivalent Mini Cooper SE. It promises a WLTP range of 236 miles from its 52kWh battery and gets 100kW DC rapid charging capability, enough for 15-80 per cent in 30 minutes. A lower spec GT version with 178bhp is also available from £33,500, although this GTS will cost you £38k.
Here comes Alpine’s hot take on the Renault 5...
As a seedling for some of the most loved and least sane hot hatches ever made, the original Renault 5 was prolific. There was the loopy rally homologation, 970kg, mid-engined Turbo 1 in 1978 with a (not so loopy these days) 160bhp from its turbo 1.4-litre engine.
The more mainstream 115bhp GT Turbo that (after a few seconds of lag, natch) boosted onto the hot hatch scene in 1985 and gave modifiers something cheap and readily available to tinker with right through the 1990s and early 2000s.
And the 1976 Renault 5 Gordini (known fittingly as the Renault 5 Alpine everywhere except the UK) that, along with the MkI VW Golf GTI that arrived a couple of months after, helped kickstart the hot hatch movement.
Renault, or more precisely Alpine – its spicy sub-brand that’s been carved off as a separate entity – wasn’t about to miss out on heritage like that. So mere weeks after first shaking hands with the new 5 in France, we’re in Mallorca finding out whether Alpine, the architect of the sublime featherweight A110 sports car, can turn an EV supermini into a bona fide performance car.
Manufacturers are deserting the hot hatch segment with alarming regularity, so is this the car to introduce the joys of small, nimble and mildly overpowered shopping trolleys to a whole new generation?
We have the range topping FWD 217bhp GTS, aka the one you want, 0-60mph in a Fiesta ST matching 6.4secs. Quick enough for a compact hot hatch, despite weighing 1,479kg – which is both horrifying and commendable, given that’s 200kg lighter than the equivalent Mini Cooper SE. It promises a WLTP range of 236 miles from its 52kWh battery and gets 100kW DC rapid charging capability, enough for 15-80 per cent in 30 minutes. A lower spec GT version with 178bhp is also available from £33,500, although this GTS will cost you £38k.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Alpine A310 due in 2028 as Porsche 911 rival
A110 stretched into 2+2 sports car will take on the likes of Porsche and Lotus
Alpine will crown its electric sports car line-up with the A310 – a 2+2 tourer that will put the French firm toe to toe with the likes of Porsche, Maserati and Lotus.
Tipped by the marque to be “an icon of future sports cars”, the new EV will arrive in 2028 and serve as a flagship for an expanded all-electric Alpine line-up.
The firm’s new range will include the recently launched A290 hot hatch, the upcoming Tesla Model Y-sized A390 and coupé and drop-top versions of the next-generation electric A110 – a car that will replace its acclaimed lightweight combustion sibling, which will bow out of production later this year.
www.autocar.co.uk
A110 stretched into 2+2 sports car will take on the likes of Porsche and Lotus
Alpine will crown its electric sports car line-up with the A310 – a 2+2 tourer that will put the French firm toe to toe with the likes of Porsche, Maserati and Lotus.
Tipped by the marque to be “an icon of future sports cars”, the new EV will arrive in 2028 and serve as a flagship for an expanded all-electric Alpine line-up.
The firm’s new range will include the recently launched A290 hot hatch, the upcoming Tesla Model Y-sized A390 and coupé and drop-top versions of the next-generation electric A110 – a car that will replace its acclaimed lightweight combustion sibling, which will bow out of production later this year.
Alpine to revive classic sports car as Porsche 911 rival | Autocar
A110 stretched into 2+2 sports car will take on the likes of Porsche and Lotus
FiestaST
Honorary Master
The Alpine A110 R Ultime has lapped the ‘Ring 20 seconds faster than the standard R
More powerful, aero-focused version of already lightweight sports car sets blistering time. Shocker
We all knew the A110 R ‘Ultime’ was going to be faster than the R… but what we didn’t realise was just how much faster. Now we know, Alpine confirming the Ultime has dropped 20 seconds over the R’s Nürburgring time of 7m 35s.
That puts the Ultime at 7m 15s, over 18 seconds quicker than a G87 M2, itself a reasonably fast coupe, and just off the pace of a Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package. Holy schmoly.
So, where have the gains come from? Firstly with aero: the new carbon elements across the body, plus the additional inlets and scoops in sections like the bonnet and bumpers, means the Ultime gains an extra 160kg of downforce over the R.
Alpine’s also bolted on a bigger, spool-ier turbo, bumping power and torque up to 345bhp and 310lb ft. Channelled through a snappier version of the six-speed auto ‘box, it even hits 62mph in just 3.8s.
More powerful, aero-focused version of already lightweight sports car sets blistering time. Shocker
We all knew the A110 R ‘Ultime’ was going to be faster than the R… but what we didn’t realise was just how much faster. Now we know, Alpine confirming the Ultime has dropped 20 seconds over the R’s Nürburgring time of 7m 35s.
That puts the Ultime at 7m 15s, over 18 seconds quicker than a G87 M2, itself a reasonably fast coupe, and just off the pace of a Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package. Holy schmoly.
So, where have the gains come from? Firstly with aero: the new carbon elements across the body, plus the additional inlets and scoops in sections like the bonnet and bumpers, means the Ultime gains an extra 160kg of downforce over the R.
Alpine’s also bolted on a bigger, spool-ier turbo, bumping power and torque up to 345bhp and 310lb ft. Channelled through a snappier version of the six-speed auto ‘box, it even hits 62mph in just 3.8s.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Renault mulls revival of Renaultsport performance brand
Performance-focused sub brand was "put in the fridge" to make way for Alpine
The Renaultsport sub-brand could be revived, despite the Renault Group’s focus on Alpine for performance machinery, CEO Luca de Meo has said.
“Officially, the Renaultsport badge we put in the fridge, and everything sporty would be building on Alpine, but it doesn't mean that sometimes this thing wouldn’t be revived,” he told Autocar at the 2025 Formula 1 season launch in London last night.
“I’ve been asked why the new 3E Turbo is not an Alpine, and I said ‘sorry, because the 5 Turbo was never an Alpine, it was a Renault, and if you want to do something authentic, you gotta respect the history of the thing, so it’s gonna be a yellow car’. Of course, you can customise the product, but this is the thing. So I don't limit necessarily to Alpine.”
There hasn’t been an all-new Renaultsport model since the fourth-generation Mégane RS went off sale in 2023.
What’s more, the former Renaultsport base at Dieppe was returned to Alpine ownership when the brand was relaunched with the A110 sports car in 2017.
www.autocar.co.uk
Performance-focused sub brand was "put in the fridge" to make way for Alpine
The Renaultsport sub-brand could be revived, despite the Renault Group’s focus on Alpine for performance machinery, CEO Luca de Meo has said.
“Officially, the Renaultsport badge we put in the fridge, and everything sporty would be building on Alpine, but it doesn't mean that sometimes this thing wouldn’t be revived,” he told Autocar at the 2025 Formula 1 season launch in London last night.
“I’ve been asked why the new 3E Turbo is not an Alpine, and I said ‘sorry, because the 5 Turbo was never an Alpine, it was a Renault, and if you want to do something authentic, you gotta respect the history of the thing, so it’s gonna be a yellow car’. Of course, you can customise the product, but this is the thing. So I don't limit necessarily to Alpine.”
There hasn’t been an all-new Renaultsport model since the fourth-generation Mégane RS went off sale in 2023.
What’s more, the former Renaultsport base at Dieppe was returned to Alpine ownership when the brand was relaunched with the A110 sports car in 2017.
Renault mulls revival of Renaultsport performance brand | Autocar
Performance-focused sub brand was "put in the fridge" to make way for Alpine
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Alpine A390 crossover to be revealed on 27 May
Production model will feature tri-motor set-up and active torque vectoring for "lightweight" feel
The Alpine A390 will be unveiled on 27 May as the French performance brand's first electric crossover.
Previewed by the A390 Beta concept that was displayed at last year's Paris motor show, it has been conceived as “a bigger A110 for five” that pairs a futuristic fastback design with what Alpine believes to be best-in-class driving dynamics.
It will use the Renault Group’s Ampr Medium EV platform (making it a relation of the Renault Megane E-Tech) and be positioned as a rival to the likes of the BMW iX2 and Tesla Model Y.
Alpine has benchmarked the Porsche Macan-sized crossover against its own four-cylinder sports coupé and claims its tri-motor powertrain (one at the front and two at the rear) combines with active torque vectoring to give the “driving dynamic of a lightweight car”. This set-up, confirmed Alpine CEO Philippe Krief, will also be adopted by the upcoming A110 EV.
www.autocar.co.uk
Production model will feature tri-motor set-up and active torque vectoring for "lightweight" feel
The Alpine A390 will be unveiled on 27 May as the French performance brand's first electric crossover.
Previewed by the A390 Beta concept that was displayed at last year's Paris motor show, it has been conceived as “a bigger A110 for five” that pairs a futuristic fastback design with what Alpine believes to be best-in-class driving dynamics.
It will use the Renault Group’s Ampr Medium EV platform (making it a relation of the Renault Megane E-Tech) and be positioned as a rival to the likes of the BMW iX2 and Tesla Model Y.
Alpine has benchmarked the Porsche Macan-sized crossover against its own four-cylinder sports coupé and claims its tri-motor powertrain (one at the front and two at the rear) combines with active torque vectoring to give the “driving dynamic of a lightweight car”. This set-up, confirmed Alpine CEO Philippe Krief, will also be adopted by the upcoming A110 EV.
Save the date: Alpine's Tesla Model Y Performance rival will be unveiled on 27 May | Autocar
Production model will feature tri-motor set-up and active torque vectoring for "lightweight" feel
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Alpine will stop production of the petrol-powered A110 next year...
... after which, it'll go fully-electric. Here, look at these colourful special editions in the meantime
Those pictures up above give you a glimpse at the new, limited-run Alpine A110 R 70 Tricolour Edition. Impressive, isn’t it? Built to celebrate Alpine’s 70th birthday, just 70 examples in Bleu Caddy, 70 in Glacier Blanc and 70 in Rouge Sismique will be sold, each getting a matching interior, a 70th-anniversary logo in visible carbon fibre on the roof and colour-coordinated 18in carbon-fibre wheels.
Those 210 Tricolour Editions will be joined by 560 ‘standard’ A110 R 70s, with the latter available in a choice of 10 colours and featuring an Akrapovic exhaust and the 70th anniversary logo on the wheel arches, the sills and the headrests. You may remember the R (not the bonkers new R Ultime) already gets 296bhp and 251lb ft of torque, plus stiffer springs, carbon fibre wheels, bucket seats, plenty of Alcantara and all of the carbon exterior trim.
And yet, these new editions aren’t the biggest bits of news here. No. Upon revealing these little specials Alpine has also admitted that the current, petrol-powered A110 is not long for this world. Uh oh.
"Alpine turns 70! 70 years of passion, excellence and innovation that we intend to build on for the next 70 years,” said Alpine CEO Philippe Krief. “We will celebrate this anniversary throughout the year with all our customers, clubs, fans ... past, present and future.
... after which, it'll go fully-electric. Here, look at these colourful special editions in the meantime
Those pictures up above give you a glimpse at the new, limited-run Alpine A110 R 70 Tricolour Edition. Impressive, isn’t it? Built to celebrate Alpine’s 70th birthday, just 70 examples in Bleu Caddy, 70 in Glacier Blanc and 70 in Rouge Sismique will be sold, each getting a matching interior, a 70th-anniversary logo in visible carbon fibre on the roof and colour-coordinated 18in carbon-fibre wheels.
Those 210 Tricolour Editions will be joined by 560 ‘standard’ A110 R 70s, with the latter available in a choice of 10 colours and featuring an Akrapovic exhaust and the 70th anniversary logo on the wheel arches, the sills and the headrests. You may remember the R (not the bonkers new R Ultime) already gets 296bhp and 251lb ft of torque, plus stiffer springs, carbon fibre wheels, bucket seats, plenty of Alcantara and all of the carbon exterior trim.
And yet, these new editions aren’t the biggest bits of news here. No. Upon revealing these little specials Alpine has also admitted that the current, petrol-powered A110 is not long for this world. Uh oh.
"Alpine turns 70! 70 years of passion, excellence and innovation that we intend to build on for the next 70 years,” said Alpine CEO Philippe Krief. “We will celebrate this anniversary throughout the year with all our customers, clubs, fans ... past, present and future.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
The beginner’s guide to Alpine
As the death knell sounds for the current A110, here's everything you need to know about Alpine
As the death knell sounds for the current A110, here's everything you need to know about Alpine
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Alpine A390 undergoes winter testing, its dimensions revealed
Alpine started teasing the A390 last month, and today the brand is back to let us know all about the upcoming sportscar's grueling testing at the Arctic Circle in Sweden ahead of the official unveiling which is taking place on May 27.
Alpine says its goal with the A390 was to "give a 5-seater Sport Fastback the performance, agility and driving pleasure" of the A110. In fact, Alpine promises "a level of acceleration equivalent to that of the A110 R". For reference, that one did 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
Temperatures have reached -40°C during the testing conducted on snowy roads and frozen lakes. The A390 has three electric motors and five driving modes, including a new Track Mode.
Alpine has now revealed the A390's final dimensions. It's 4,615 mm long, 1,885 mm wide, and 1,532 mm tall. The car has a "unique and definitive lighting signature" inspired by the concept car it's based on.
www.arenaev.com
Alpine started teasing the A390 last month, and today the brand is back to let us know all about the upcoming sportscar's grueling testing at the Arctic Circle in Sweden ahead of the official unveiling which is taking place on May 27.
Alpine says its goal with the A390 was to "give a 5-seater Sport Fastback the performance, agility and driving pleasure" of the A110. In fact, Alpine promises "a level of acceleration equivalent to that of the A110 R". For reference, that one did 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
Temperatures have reached -40°C during the testing conducted on snowy roads and frozen lakes. The A390 has three electric motors and five driving modes, including a new Track Mode.
Alpine has now revealed the A390's final dimensions. It's 4,615 mm long, 1,885 mm wide, and 1,532 mm tall. The car has a "unique and definitive lighting signature" inspired by the concept car it's based on.
Alpine A390 undergoes winter testing, its dimensions revealed
It will become official in May.
www.arenaev.com
FiestaST
Honorary Master
What is 2025's best affordable fun EV? | Alpine A290 vs Mini Cooper SE vs Cupra Born VZ - Autocar