Should Alpine Give The A110 Successor A More Practical Hatchback Bodystyle?

Should Alpine Give The A110 Successor A More Practical Hatchback Bodystyle?

These illustrations were made by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops as speculative renderings for the upcoming Alpine A110 successor that are not related to nor endorsed by Renault or Alpine.

The Alpine A110, originally introduced in 2017, remains a rather desirable mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sportscar but our minds are already on its successor which is set to debut sometime between 2024 and 2026 with a fully electric powertrain. While we have yet to see camouflaged prototypes of the EV, our associates created a new rendering, envisioning the A110 successor with a more practical four-door bodystyle while retaining the low-slung coupe silhouette.

Alpine has officially teased three forthcoming EV models that will comprise its all-electric range by 2026. The A5 hot hatch will be the first to arrive in 2024, followed by the GT X-Over grand tourer and the electric sportscar developed in collaboration with Lotus. While the latter was initially envisioned as a two-door, slight modifications could transform it into a four-door, with more space for the rear passengers.

See Also: Alpine A110 GT J. Rédélé Limited Edition Honors The Centenary Of The Brand’s Founder

Above, you can see the latest rendering of the Alpine sportscar with four doors and more aggressive aero. Below, is the initial rendering which adopts a traditional two-door coupe bodystyle just like the current model.

The mid-engined layout of the current Alpine A110 limits its practicality, allowing space for two seats and little storage compartments inside the cabin. There are two separate cargo spaces at the front and at the back, but they are quite small. All those restrictions will most likely change in the new generation thanks to the fully electric architecture which is beneficial for packaging.

While an EV sportscar is designed with a focus on performance and driving dynamics instead of practicality, an easier-to-live-with model might help Alpine reach a wider audience. In that context, we wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a roomier successor that would be more fitting for longer journeys by offering a properly-sized boot and a 2+2 cabin layout.

Alpine’s collaboration with Lotus on the development of the future sportscar means it will most likely be as lightweight as possible, with sharp driving dynamics. Lotus has already shown its modular E-Sports platform for the future generations of the Elise, the Exige, and the Evora, but it is not clear yet if this architecture will also underpin the Alpine sportscar.

Alpine’s official teaser of the A110 successor shows an aerodynamic low-slung silhouette.

Last month, Alpine introduced the A110 E-ternité concept with an electric powertrain producing 239 hp (178 kW / 242 PS) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque, plus a 60 kWh battery pack sourced from the Mégane E-Tech. The one-off prototype which was based on a modified A110 chassis was described as a “rolling laboratory” showing that the lessons learned in its development will be incorporated in future production models.

In a recent interview with Autocar, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi revealed that there will be a “great deal of transfer” from Alpine’s F1 team into the production models. This will be more evident in the electric motors and the battery management system, with the F1 expertise helping engineers make the best out of energy recovery. Finally, another important aspect will be the aerodynamics, with clever design solutions for producing downforce and cooling without adding drag that could potentially reduce the EV range.

While it is still early to talk about specifications, Alpine’s future sounds exciting in the all-electric era. Until the new EV sportscar arrives, the A110 will keep us company as the last ICE-powered model of the French brand.

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