Renault relaunched the Alpine brand in 2017, and this is the face/tech lifted A110S that is the best kept secret of the sports car world. Why? Because it is a French Lotus that is bijou, feisty and incredibly fit for European roads. In fact, the 1100kg, 170mph, mid-engined 1.8-litre turbo 16v A110 could be the today's perfect sports car.

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Think of the S as the GT3 version of the 911 really. 19% stiffer damping, carbon aero pack (optional), special Sabelt buckets and 296bhp instead of the entry level car's 252bhp. Torque is 340nm in the S and GT as opposed to 320nm in the entry level car. Same 1.8 16v turbo engine in the middle, just calibrated to be a bit more shouty at the top end of the rev range.

All Alpines are aluminium and gloriously light, which translates to responsive controls, joyful body control, and the realisation that this is the formula for sports cars that so many manufacturers have forgotten. It doesn't need a big engine to be quick or feel amazing. 0-62mph in 4.2 for the rapido S and GT, 4.5 for the entry level Pure. The S will spit and crackle on the over-run to bring the grins. It's also efficient - Alpine quote 43mpg combined. And because it doesn't have many cylinders or weigh much, I bet running costs aren't too squeaky-bottom for a sports car. Sounds good.

To read more about Jonny’s personal take on this Renault (he had it for a week) then head over to our Patreon page: https://patreon.com/TheLateBrakeShow

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Jonny wears
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Hat: Carhartt beanie
Scarf: Tartan neck buff by Spirit of Le Mans https://www.solm.co.uk/
Trousers: G-Star raw black jeans
Footwear: Nike Sportswear Crater Impact recycled trainers from Selfridges https://www.selfridges.com
Jacket: Triumph Motorcycles Avenham Jacket
Wristwatch: Aquadive Bathysphere 100 GMT in turquoise with ISOfrane rubber strap

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Filmed and edited by: Matty Graham @ Pixel Click http://pixel-click.com
Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant https://www.matttarantdesign.com

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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
Website: http://www.carpervert.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jonnycarpervert
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carpervert

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:08 Remember old Alpines?
1:33 Smith and Sniff podcast
2:02 3 models available
4:39 Cabin materials and seats
5:10 Telemetrics app
5:46 No manual gearbox
6:32 Switch gear
8:32 Famous Alpine owners
9:16 Rear boot space and cabin storage
11:26 Rival cars
11:57 Should they make a rally version?
13:00 Power figures and engine position
13:40 0-62 run
15:20 Pricing
17:02 Exterior design
18:33 Front boot
19:27 Rally onboard sounds
20:19 Jonny's verdict

#newalpinea110s #secretsportscar #alpinea110sreview #frenchsportscar #a110s #thelatebrakeshow