Alpine announces it’s first true electric sports car

35,450. That’s how many A110s have been built since the original model launched in 1969. Most are of the second generation, which debuted in 2017 and last came off the assembly line a few days ago when 28,701^{scheduled tribe} The car was completed in Dieppe. As the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. Renault’s performance arm is already previewing the third-generation model, although it will not be a direct successor.

Currently known as the A110 Future, the development car is essentially a test mule. Gone is the turbocharged 1.8-liter gasoline engine mounted behind the seats. Alpine is replacing the four-cylinder engine, which has its roots in the Megane RS hot hatch, with a dual-motor setup while maintaining the rear-wheel-drive layout. Keep in mind, this is much more than an electric conversion of an old car. This is a completely new development based on the Alpine Performance Platform (APP).

This already sounds familiar as development prototypes are usually a mix of old and new parts. However, the top view clearly shows wider wheel arches, so expect more robust front and rear axles. Under the skin are two rear-mounted battery packs arranged in a split layout to achieve 40:60 weight distribution. While Alpine doesn’t address the elephant in the room, Weight, there are reasons to be optimistic.

The battery uses high-energy-density cells, so the pack shouldn’t be excessively heavy. However, it is highly unlikely that the new A110 will come close to its predecessor’s significantly lower weight: 1,102 kg (2,430 lb). Even though it will inevitably be heavier, that’s not stopping Alpine from being excited for the next A110.

We’re told it will be “the world’s first true EV sports car” and will have “the ability to outperform today’s best combustion sports cars.” The pair of electric motors we mentioned earlier are claimed to deliver “exceptional torque and performance.”

Since it’s still early days for the next-generation A110, Alpine is keeping quiet about most technical specifications. However, it does say that the performance EV has an all-aluminium suspension to keep weight under control. For that reason, the platform is aluminum-dense, and the battery uses a cell-to-pack design in which the cells are integrated directly into a larger pack.

It also gets a silicon carbide (SiC) inverter for greater efficiency and higher power density in a lighter package. Alpine has also confirmed an 800-volt electrical architecture, which will enable ultra-fast charging. While the A110 will remain a strictly two-seater like its predecessors, there are already plans for a larger 2+2 model that will revive the A310 nameplate, which was last used in 1984.

The redesigned A110 will launch in 2027, following a public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​next week.

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Source: Alpine

Motor1’s Opinion: Alpine makes some bold claims about the A110, especially regarding better-performing combustion-engine sports cars. That may be true, but enthusiasts would prefer a slower, lighter sports car with a gasoline engine and all the drama that comes with it. While the old turbocharged 1.8-litre engine wasn’t exactly benchmark, the previous A110 was remarkably light. We probably won’t be able to say the same about the upcoming EV.

Alpine isn’t the only company working on an electric sports car. Porsche is still committed to bringing the 718 Boxster and Cayman EV to market. At the same time, Caterham continues to develop its promising Project V concept, aiming for a surprisingly low curb weight of only 1,190 kg (2,623 lb).