New Car - ALPINE A110

[jamcg]

Never seen a white one but that looks stunning, modernised retro style done right

[integrale_evo]

I don’t think I’d buy one, but they’re interesting things I like seeing on the road, so glad other people do.

Congrats, looks great!

[Jobbo]

The pearl white works really well. And I have always loved the shape, those gorgeous front lights - all of it.

[Mito Man]

Yep that looks lovely. The white seems to have a blue pearl in it - will look awesome under lights

[mik]

I am now able to confirm that the paint is indeed fabulous. Metallic pearl that flips in the sunlight.

[Matty]

I don’t think I’d buy one, but they’re interesting things I like seeing on the road, so glad other people do.

Congrats, looks great!

Very "4C-like" appeal IMO, in that I think you either get them, or you don't - and simiarly, many are "urgh, auto?!" without even trying one.

Regarding remapping, does it really need one? I think Scott's got a trackday lean which will may make the difference, but 250bhp in just over 1t is no slouch.

[mik]

1. many are "urgh, auto?!" without even trying one.

2.Regarding remapping, does it really need one? I think Scott's got a trackday lean which will may make the difference, but 250bhp in just over 1t is no slouch.

1. Kinda me, as I love manuels, but there is no arguing with the speed of the shift (the shift itself, but also the response to the paddle). Very efficient.

2. It is quick - with strong shove throughout the rev range - so it certainly doesn’t need one. But. An extra 50bhp (or a 20% increase if you prefer) that adds punch throughout the full rev range is super-tempting when it’s only £700. Lifts it from 228bhp/tonne to over 270bhp/tonne.

[Rich B]

i think they look great - i was surprised at how small they were when i saw one up close. Purchase approved.!

[duncs500]

Lovely. Don't see many in that colour either, looks awesome!

[scotta]

Lovely. Don't see many in that colour either, looks awesome!

Mrs A said that to the eldest boy...You wont see another like this round here...Yes you will - There's one in the next street.

Fuck off no there's not...Made me go round...True enough there it was - Same colour.

[scotta]

1. many are "urgh, auto?!" without even trying one.

2.Regarding remapping, does it really need one? I think Scott's got a trackday lean which will may make the difference, but 250bhp in just over 1t is no slouch.

1. Kinda me, as I love manuels, but there is no arguing with the speed of the shift (the shift itself, but also the response to the paddle). Very efficient.

2. It is quick - with strong shove throughout the rev range - so it certainly doesn’t need one. But. An extra 50bhp (or a 20% increase if you prefer) that adds punch throughout the full rev range is super-tempting when it’s only £700. Lifts it from 228bhp/tonne to over 270bhp/tonne.

I'd like to try one thats been mapped to see the difference...I may need to fwend up the guy round the corner. His is an A110S.

[IanF]

1. many are "urgh, auto?!" without even trying one.

2.Regarding remapping, does it really need one? I think Scott's got a trackday lean which will may make the difference, but 250bhp in just over 1t is no slouch.

1. Kinda me, as I love manuels, but there is no arguing with the speed of the shift (the shift itself, but also the response to the paddle). Very efficient.

2. It is quick - with strong shove throughout the rev range - so it certainly doesn’t need one. But. An extra 50bhp (or a 20% increase if you prefer) that adds punch throughout the full rev range is super-tempting when it’s only £700. Lifts it from 228bhp/tonne to over 270bhp/tonne.

I'd like to try one thats been mapped to see the difference...I may need to fwend up the guy round the corner. His is an A110S.

Invite him to join OV9.. I’m sure that will beneficial for him. Or threaten him with membership, whichever works!

[duncs500]

Lovely. Don't see many in that colour either, looks awesome!

Mrs A said that to the eldest boy...You wont see another like this round here...Yes you will - There's one in the next street.

Fuck off no there's not...Made me go round...True enough there it was - Same colour.

[jamcg]

Even rare cars aren’t immune to the thing where once you buy one you start seeing them everywhere

[Ascender]

That is stunning, well done

I'd really like to try one of those, must arrange a test drive next time I'm down south.

[scotta]

That is stunning, well done

I'd really like to try one of those, must arrange a test drive next time I'm down south.

Where are you these days? There are only 2 dealers in Scotland - Glasgow and Aberdeen.

[Matty]

So...new car thread. No additional pictures, some vary vague impressions, no Elise comparison.... 3/10 @scotta

How are you finding it compared to the Elise? Don't think you'll miss roof-off driving over the summer?

[scotta]

So...new car thread. No additional pictures, some vary vague impressions, no Elise comparison.... 3/10 @scotta

How are you finding it compared to the Elise? Don't think you'll miss roof-off driving over the summer?

Yes Yes...Weve a project at work thats come to me as an escalation so ive not had time. Most of yesterday in meetings about it. Plus i had a photo job for pistonheads on sunday that needed turned around quickly.

[scotta]

Right then...

Week in and three tanks of super down.

initial impressions.

I'm loving it. the interior is on a different level of quality from the lotus. absolutely fantastic Sabelt bucket seats. 4 hours back up from Pontefract and not an ache or pain when i go home. Motorway cruise was a doddle. Interior cabin at 70 on cruise with the active exhaust valves and sound pipe valves closed my Db meter on my apple watch registered 69-70db. compared with the Lotus on the way down doing between 86 and 90 db depending on throttle position. Cut off the A1 at Newcastle to come back up the A68 cross country taking it reasonably easy to start with to get a feel for the car. There are a few long sweeping curves halfway. These are a lot softer that my Lotus was - Especially with the adjustable bilstein supersports that I fitted to the Elise - but handling and grip are still well up there.

I wasn't expecting much from the sound system as its got what they describe as the "Focal Lightweight" I had read that you need the full focal system for some proper thump. However - Its actually really good. Demo'd to @mik with a few demo tracks. There is some proper bottom end there met with clarity from the high dash tweeters. A pleasant surprise. The Infotainment unit itself however is showing its age. Alpine invested in an early tech that was supposed to rival carplay called mySPIN. It was however shit - so much so that apple dropped support for it and its no longer in the app store. Some owners have replaced the units for an aftermarket carplay unit but at figures banded about of £1500 ill be swerving that. Instead ive bought a Belkin magsafe car mount and use the BT interconnectivity. On a positive note though it has got the optional telematics pack which gives all sorts of information on the screen for oil temps, Water Temps, Throttle position, Boost, lap timer, 0-62 timer

I took it a proper cross country blast yesterday morning from here to Duns across the lammermuir hills. Lots of twisty narrow roads with questionable tarmac. It just lapped it up. In the folder pack there is a receipt for Spires who have setup the GEO to Life110 specs. Direction changes are sharp with loads of fee through the steering and its softly enough sprung to soak up bumps and lumps with the PS4's gripping well. The DCT gearbox in track is fast and suits the car perfectly. Exhaust Valves open and soundpipe open (There is a hose from the intake that pipes induction noise in at ear level) It sounds great. No db measured here however - i was too busy enjoying it. Upshifts in Track give a proper crack and the gear bangs in almost instantly as soon as you pull a paddle back off and you get a whoosh of turbo dump and a session of pops from the exhaust. Highly childish but i like it. Brakes are really sharp. Not overly assisted so they need a good shove but there is no complaints on the stopping power - 320mm discs with 4 pot callipers stopping 1103kg is plenty bite. Telematics on the dash show a trace of brake force and the hazards flashing are disabled in sport and track.

Straight-line its properly quick - Using the telematics it did a 0-62 run after working out the launch control at 4.46. Best i managed with the Vbox on the lotus was 4.8. Id say with the flexibility of the turbo its actually quicker than the Lotus on road. However...DMS are saying 340bhp for a remap...I see no reason not to.

Ive ordered some Life110 paddles that are arriving later this week and a new Life110 filter. No performance gain on the filter but it should sound a bit better.

Spent Saturday giving it a proper deep clean inside and out. The pearl white paintwork looks fantastic cleaned and waxed.

More photos here





Infiltrated the Lotus Drivers Club breakfast on Sunday here

[scotta]

EOTR Lotus report when i Have time but if you want to buy it -

https://www.jonsealsportscars.com/cars/ ... s/1448781/