Alpine A110 R is primed for track action

What makes it immediately identifiable, is the aero and the redesigned bodywork, with a swan-neck wing, carbon wheels, flat underfloor and more aggressive rear diffuser, which features the revised retro-look double-wall twin exhaust nestled within. There’s a vented hood and new air intake valves up front that works in combination with the A110S carbon splitter. Overall downforce is up 29kg at the back (at top speed) and 14kg at the front, while overall drag is reduced by five per cent.

Believe it or not, a fairly significant amount of weight has been taken out of what is an already very lightweight car. Down to 1,084kg, the A110 R loses 34kg compared to the A110S. Lightweight parts include that vented carbon bonnet, carbon roof skin, the carbon wheels and a carbon rear window, replacing the glass. Those wheels are also different front to back, owing to the increased cooling requirements from the front brakes. On the inside, the already very lightweight alloy bucket seats have been replaced with carbon shelled items too. In terms of suspension, new adjustable coilovers feature, with the 10mm lower ride droppable by a further 10mm when at the track. The anti-roll bars are 10 and 25 per cent stiffer front to back.

The 1.8-litre turbocharged engine’s output has always been gearbox-limited according to Alpine, so 300PS is the number as in the A110S. Still, the slippier, lighter A110 R gets to 62mph in 3.9 seconds, on the way to a 176mph top speed.

Knowing what we do about just how addictive and raw the A110 is to drive as standard, this A110 R is a tantalising prospect indeed. What you could consider a rival for the Porsche Cayman GT4 has been keenly priced too, with the A110R starting from £70,000 when orders open this month.