Test drive (Roadtrip): Greening in Alpine A110 S

After more than 3 years of waiting for it, wanting it, dreaming it… I was finally able to get my hands on an Alpine A110 for a test drive in roadtrip mode, between the Vosges and Alsace. And not just any, a rare Vert Jardin model in its S version of 292 hp. Motor !

You guessed it with this short description, this article is likely to be quite rave. On the other hand, I can assure you, it will be sincere! Quite simply to understand, today we are lucky to have a car that ticks almost all the boxes to please. Yes it lacks a manual gearbox, but many other arguments almost make you forget this detail. First of all, its small neo-retro style which has attracted the greatest number of people, its very contained weight which presages a nice behavior, or even a good power which does not clap in the extravagance. In these gloomy times for the automobile passion, we can only validate, right?

With all these little details, I was already won over even before driving it. Climbing aboard therefore, you can well imagine the banana hanging on my face. However, we are not going to deny ourselves to blame it for an absence of charm in the interior. If the bucket seats are magnificent, I would have liked to see a little more fun on this dashboard. And a few more flattering materials. Of course, we do not forget the search for economy and weight gain, but more panache would not have been luxury. Well, I quibble, because apart from the not very sexy accessories, typical of a Renault, we fall in a world of sportiness. We particularly appreciate the aluminum keys, the overhead central console or the gearbox controls. The body color reminder on the doors is also very nice, as are the straps;

The time has finally come to start. I started my journey on a rainy Saturday morning, the frustration was at its peak. However, the first kilometers allowed me to see how easy it can be on a daily basis. The dual-clutch gearbox shifts its 7 gears without letting it be known and the engine remains at ease at all speeds. It can be both gentle and then immediately angry, for example to quickly undertake an overtaking or any other insertion. These famous first kilometers have also allowed me to gain confidence little by little. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, excellent in the dry, are also very good in the rain. A reasonable dosage of the right pedal, associated with the good treatment carried out on the stability control, and the Alpine does not turn into a dancer. On top of that, and despite the intensive firming that the S version has received, this setting does not result in excessive stiffness; and mushroom-growing donkeys don't become your worst enemies. Do not fall for me all the same, it is not the queen of comfort, but my lower back easily supported this journey ...

In any case, it is not by buying an Alpine that we hope to find the comfort of a large sedan. So, after having made further acquaintances, it is when finally arriving in the Vosges mountains that, as if by magic, the sky cleared up and the asphalt dried up. Allowing the A110 to truly express itself. The ideal car for our small winding roads? Definitely yes. As soon as we engage Sport mode, it immediately becomes more responsive, playful, what am I saying, mean. The active escapement instantly gratifies us with its finest vocalizations, and we take pleasure in taking it to touch the switch. The box, judicious in its choice of full auto report, becomes ever more exciting thanks to the large paddles behind the wheel. And, while it might let you hit 260 km / h without much hassle, we prefer much more to play at falling or go up a gear. Between the cracklings on the exhaust, and the sensations provided with each relaunch, it is on a series of curves that we will take the most “kif”. Thanks to its well-calibrated and precise steering, one erases the turns one after the other, without too much rigor. Indeed, its movable rear gives it a playful character and it is not 100% fixed on rails, like current automobile productions. Then, thanks to its large torque of 320 Nm, we know we have it under our feet at all times. We do not hesitate at all to take advantage of it, far from it, and the magnificent autonomous colors scroll at an impressive speed. I often have trouble stopping to take pictures because the fun is at its maximum.

Then, when it comes to making the connection to a new playground, we once again appreciate the sweetness of life of this car. After filling the 45 liters of the tank (consumption oscillating between 7 and 10 l / 100 km), we can not resist going everywhere with it. In town, on the secondary network or on the motorway, it is always at ease. The rearview is certainly not excellent, but its compact size makes it easy to handle. In maneuver we will anyway be helped by the sensors and reversing camera - moreover of poor quality - and this will only be a formality. In addition, it is not completely devoid of storage to go on an adventure for a few days. Its trunk at the rear leaves 96 liters of cargo and, at the front, we take advantage of 100 liters. It's not a big deal, but it leaves enough to take a few travel bags anyway. However… as in the previous paragraph, it is really outside civilization that it is revealed.

It is therefore after a small, but impressive, launch control, that I take pleasure in leading it drastically in the pretty pif-pafs of the Ballon d'Alsace. Once passed 100 km / h in just 4.4 seconds (verifiable thanks to on-board telemetry), the next lace quickly comes to the end of his nose. It brakes quickly, although we lack endurance in my opinion, it settles on its supports, and the next moment the car turns just enough to allow us to come out with gouache. Immediately, we are in it again. There, we thank the engine / gearbox couple which forms an excellent duo and all the power goes to the ground without worry, even on greasy pavement. We thank just as much the strengthening of the suspensions, which I mentioned above, which is of great help there again; it curbs the movements of the body and allows us to turn flat. What are we asking from the berlinetta? Go harder and harder to reach the limits! But his engaging temper never balks, and we realize more and more that it would be necessary to be a pilot on the circuit to be able to give everything. Impressive efficiency!

The last word: endearing. This is probably the qualifier that I would retain after 1500 km spent at its gentle wheel. Unlike other sports cars, for once, I am not in a hurry to return the keys and that it is nothing more than a very good memory. Yep, trying such cars, like a Nissan GT-R Nismo or lately a Lexus LC500 Cabriolet , it's sometimes a relief to return them to the manufacturer without a scratch. Here, the Alpine is so docile from day to day, efficient and without reaching peaks in terms of budget, that I would have swapped my little Miata for this French coupe.

Did you feel the transition? As I write these lines the manufacturer unveiled its brand new completely revamped range. If my copy cost 76,798 € when it was released, it will now be necessary to choose between a “standard” A110, an Alpine A110 GT or an A110 S which can benefit from a surprising aero kit. When the first retains its 250 horsepower, the last two finally pass to 300 round horsepower. The call rate then starts at € 59,500, then € 69,500 or even € 71,500. To this, a few options can be added, such as first a custom Green Garden painting at € 4,900, 18-inch rims at € 740, the carbon roof at € 2,450, the reversing camera at € 800 or the audio system. Focal premium at € 620. The aero kit will be billed at € 5,400. Enough to boost a full option model to over € 90,000. Ouch!

After so many emotions already expressed, there is not much else to add to conclude on this Alpine A110 S. Its sparkling temperament, associated with its beautiful musicality, already do all the work to convince. Oh yes too, dare the original configurations!