Brutal Alpine A110 of 500 HP and 950 kg has a crucial mission

June 25 will mark Alpine's first participation in the famous Pikes Peak climb , a very demanding event for both riders and vehicles. After having shone in F1, in rallying and in resistance, the constructor is tackling a new sporting category.

To meet this challenge, Alpine entrusted the preparation of its car, an Alpine A110 GT4 Evo , to French specialist Signatech . The latter is also responsible for the Alpine LMP2 prototypes which compete in the WEC World Endurance Championship.

The driver selected to take the win is Raphaël Astier , who won the 2022 FIA R-GT Cup with the A110 Rally and has already taken part in the Pikes Peak race four times .

A racing beast in the colors of Uncle Sam

The Alpine A110 Pikes Peak car has undergone impressive modifications to be transformed into a real racing machine for the occasion. At the front, an imposing aerodynamic package has been added, including a large air intake and a huge spoiler located at the bottom of the bumper. The latter is accompanied by a few splitters and large deflectors on the sides.

At the rear, an air intake has been installed on the roof to allow the 500 hp engine to breathe better as the car reaches higher altitudes. This modification is particularly important for the climb to Pikes Peak, which covers nearly 20 km, with a start at 2,820 meters and an arrival at 4,302 meters.

Alpine has worked hard to equip its new racing car, the Alpine A110, with an optimal aerodynamic configuration for the 156 corners of the circuit . The presence of a central dorsal fin, similar to those of the Le Mans racing cars, as well as an XXL spoiler and diffuser, will generate strong aerodynamic pressure.

Additionally, the Alpine A110 weighs only 950 kg , thanks to designers' efforts to reduce the overall weight of the car. With a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.9 kg/hp , this car will be the most powerful ever created by Alpine. For the occasion, it sports a blue, white and red livery, reminiscent of the colors of the French and American flags, with the 50 stars of the American flag on the roof in tribute to the host country.

The Alpine A110 Pikes Peak, with big record ambitions, will compete in the Time Attack 1 category . The first tests were carried out on the Lurcy-Lévis track , and the test program will continue on closed mountain sections in the French Alps.

Altitude challenges, such as variations in temperature and air density, must be overcome before departing for Pikes Peak, where testing and training sessions will take place until June 25.

For Alpine, this will be their first participation in Pikes Peak, but it is also an opportunity to present their brand in North America.

Alpine, soon to land in the United States

It is unusual for a brand absent from the American market to take part in Pikes Peak because the media visibility of the race in Europe is rather limited. Nevertheless, Peugeot has already taken part in this competition in the past by entering a 1986 Peugeot 205 T16 equipped with a specific aerodynamic kit, which was brilliantly driven to victory by Ari Vatanen . The latter has also managed to drive the car with one hand under a dazzling sun.

In 1988, Vatanen and Peugeot achieved the feat again with the Peugeot 405 T16 during the rally raid . Peugeot returned in 2013 with a 208 T16 specially created for Pikes Peak as a tribute to their previous victories and superbly driven to victory by Sébastien Leob .

In the late 1980s Peugeot was still trying to sell cars in the United States, most notably the Peugeot 405 (a market they would drop in 1991). Their presence at Pikes Peak had commercial and communication significance.

However, the feat of 2013 was only a communication operation aimed at Europe, in particular France, with the use of Sébastien Leob as an emblematic figure and the memories of the legendary 205 T16 and 405 T16.

Alpine 's presence at Pikes Peak this year has significant significance beyond winning a medal and gaining more sporting legitimacy in all areas, if possible.

Luca de Meo has repeatedly expressed his intention to bring Alpine to the American market , with a planned launch from 2026, using the commercial network of the American giant Auto Nation .

Therefore, Alpine's participation in Pikes Peak, especially a victory, would be a first small but important step in this direction.