What the car is and where it came from
The Alpine A110 (2017) is a French-built, rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car. It was introduced by Alpine at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. It is not a rebadged Renault or a concept—it is a production car with a dedicated aluminium chassis and Nissan-derived powertrain.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
The driver sits ahead of the rear axle. The engine sits behind them, mid-mounted. Power goes to the rear wheels only. The gearbox is a 7-speed dual-clutch unit made by Getrag.
What it gets right
It gets weight distribution right: the rear-mid layout delivers neutral handling and immediate turn-in. It gets material choice right: the all-aluminium chassis keeps mass low. It gets focus right: no rear seats, no four-wheel drive, no infotainment bloat.
What it does not
It does not offer all-wheel drive. It does not use a V6 or V8 engine. It does not have a manual transmission option. It does not continue beyond June 2026.
What it changed
It revived Alpine as a standalone sports-car brand after decades of dormancy. It proved a compact, aluminium, rear-mid-engined layout could be viable in the modern era without hybrid or electric powertrains.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for drivers who prioritise chassis communication and mechanical simplicity over raw power or daily usability. It is not for those who need rear seats, all-weather traction, or long-distance comfort.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you want a lightweight, driver-focused sports car built around balance and agility, not brute force or digital overload.
