Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2023 Alpine A110 R Le Mans unveiled

To celebrate the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Alpine has unveiled a lightly tweaked A110 R limited to just 100 units

Shown for the first time at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, Alpine has unveiled a special-edition version of the track-focused A110 R to celebrate 100 years of the iconic motor race. Aptly named the A110 R Le Mans, the limited-run model features a series of unique styling touches as well as a bespoke suspension tune tailored for the demands of the high-speed Circuit de la Sarthe. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Each Le Mans edition is finished in a white and blue livery that’s unique to the model, and as with the standard A110 R, the car has been decorated with carbonfibre panels and aero extensions to cut weight and add downforce – the bonnet, roof and rear window blanking panel are all fashioned from the material. Le Mans logos have also been applied to the R's front wings and carbon sill extensions, while blue stripes run down the middle of the car, and there are more blue accents on the rear wing end fences and carbon wheels, the latter of which have adopted a more open design at the rear for better brake cooling. 

Taking inspiration from Alpine's A480 Le Mans hypercar, the special edition has gained a small shark fin ahead of the rear wing, although there's no word on whether this improves the car's aero performance. For reference, the standard R gains an extra 29kg of downforce over the aero kit-equipped A110 S, while reducing drag by 5 per cent. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

With the R’s 296bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine behind the seats, the Le Mans edition doesn’t offer a tangible gain in straight-line performance over the similarly powerful A110 S, sprinting to 62mph in 3.9 seconds and running on to a 177mph top speed.

Instead, the R majors on cornering ability, with a highly adjustable suspension set-up featuring stiffer roll bars, Eibach springs and ZF dampers, which work with a set of sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. For the special edition, Alpine claims to have set up the hardware for better performance through fast corners like those found at Le Mans.

Inside, the A110 R Le Mans has the same stripped-back ambience as the standard R, with carbonfibre bucket seats, Sabelt harnesses and suede trim. A metal plaque denotes the build number of each of the 100 examples that will be produced, while further nods to Le Mans include stitched headrest logos and an engraved map of the track on the sun visors.

There’s no word yet on how much the A110 R Le Mans will cost in the UK, but if its €30,000 premium over the €110,000 A110 R in Europe is anything to go by, expect it to come in at around £120,000 to the R’s £94,990.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The new Porsche 911 Carrera T is pared back, lightweight and manual-only
Porsche 911 992.2 Carrera T – front
News

The new Porsche 911 Carrera T is pared back, lightweight and manual-only

Porsche’s 992.2 Carrera T is a manual-only, lightweight 911 with bespoke chassis mods – could this be the sweet spot in the range?
29 Oct 2024
Lotus Emira v Morgan Plus Four – four-cylinder Brits go head-to-head
Lotus Emira v Morgan Plus Four
Group tests

Lotus Emira v Morgan Plus Four – four-cylinder Brits go head-to-head

Two fine British sports cars, two mates and some quiet British roads: classic ingredients for a great road trip
26 Oct 2024
The new Porsche 911 GT3 (992.2) has arrived with S/T inspiration and optional back seats
2025 Porsche 911 GT3 front
News

The new Porsche 911 GT3 (992.2) has arrived with S/T inspiration and optional back seats

Back seats and Isofix may now be on the new GT3’s menu, but crucially, the howling 503bhp 9000rpm flat six and manual option remain
25 Oct 2024
Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer Classic Turbo 2024 review – the most complete restomod?
Singer 911 Turbo – front
Reviews

Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer Classic Turbo 2024 review – the most complete restomod?

The 930 Turbo has remained somewhat off limits to the restomod scene, until now. Richard Meaden tests the Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer – Classic T…
24 Oct 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Aston Martin Vanquish 2024 review - Britain’s Ferrari 12 Cilindri rival
Aston Martin Vanquish – front
Reviews

Aston Martin Vanquish 2024 review - Britain’s Ferrari 12 Cilindri rival

The third-generation Aston Martin Vanquish is not only the best yet, it’s the best Aston Martin full stop
28 Oct 2024
Lotus Emira v Morgan Plus Four – four-cylinder Brits go head-to-head
Lotus Emira v Morgan Plus Four
Group tests

Lotus Emira v Morgan Plus Four – four-cylinder Brits go head-to-head

Two fine British sports cars, two mates and some quiet British roads: classic ingredients for a great road trip
26 Oct 2024
Audi RS6 GT 2024 review – has Audi made a BMW M5 CS rival?
Audi RS6 GT – front
Reviews

Audi RS6 GT 2024 review – has Audi made a BMW M5 CS rival?

The petrol-powered RS6 super-estate is going out in a blaze of glory with the bombastic GT, complete with 1980s racing battledress. What’s not to like…
25 Oct 2024