amanico
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A day on the track with the Alpine A 110.
I was invited by an Alpine Authorized Dealer to test the Alpine on the track. I already tested it on the small roads of Normandy, and on the highway, too, I had to go farther and have some fun on the track to test its limits, and to get some notions on how to pilot a car on a track, too.
We had an appointment at 9.00 AM, and I arrived a bit earlier, the Volvo C 70 T5 being a pretty fast car. 
The first surprise? The cars in presence. Half an hour before, two race cars were there, two Alpine A 110 Cup, with a reworked exhaust, a different electronic gestion, a steering wheel borrowed to the GT 4, new suspensions for a much lower car ( -40 mm ) and a different sequential gearbox.
The other surprise? The presence of the first A 110 with a special historical paint, here in ... Pink, for the Alpine Workshop.
Another surprise came a bit after... The number of " Alpinists " who attended the event with their A 110. Not 5, 6 or 10, but a bit more than 30!
As expected, the Blue was the most popular. There were a good number of " S ", too, which is the sporty version of the A 110. And I suspect a few have installed a special exhaust, from what I heard on the track...
The A 110 S I tested a few weeks ago:
But the most important was, of course, the experience on the track, the feelings when you brake like a mad man way before the curves, the way you pass the curves, the drifts, the way you have to look at the track, the incredible balance of the car, the sensations...
I couldn't make a video on the cars when I tested two of them, a normal one and the... A 110 Cup, with its official pilot, Laurent Hurgon, who is currently 2d in the european championship. Seeing him driving, piloting the car at only 80% of its possibilities makes you realize the difference which separates a professional pilot to an amateur. You really take a lesson of humility and feel a lot of respect for these " guys ". When they drive, you think it is really an easy thing. Try, and you will see, it is not that evident...
Here is the video:
It makes you want to enhance your poor driving skills, just to have a decent level.
And, better or worse, it really gives you the will to own one of these cars.
But that is another story. I will review the A 110 and its different versions in a later post.
I would like to thank the Alpine Dealer for this invitation, or should I say, incitation...
It was an unforgettable moment, truly.
Best,
Nicolas
More posts:
A day on the track with the Alpine A 110.
I was invited by an Alpine Authorized Dealer to test the Alpine on the track. I already tested it on the small roads of Normandy, and on the highway, too, I had to go farther and have some fun on the track to test its limits, and to get some notions on ho...
Nico, the best way to fight temptation is to yield :)
Great story, great pictures, great car. A day spent at the track "bonding" with your car is humbling for sure and rewarding in so many ways...
Nice pictures sir, must have been a wonderful and fun day.
The white S with the black wheels is very nice and also the dark grey in picture number 8. The pink one with the white wheels on the other hand looks awful. Too many blue ones, do you have a preference already?
The dark grey with the black wheels would be awesome, the colour gives the car a chic look and the black wheels gives it a bit mean look.
and the tires need to be nice clean and shiny!
It reads and looks like you had an incredible experience.
I hope you get your Alpine soon my friend. I too have experienced the humility of driving at a track and then watching the professional pilot my car. What an incredible difference. Did you experience a deep sleep that night? My professional pilot told me ...
Fantastic report and pictures! now you are poisoned with track driving and racing - poor man ;-)
Since I did my first track day some 20 years ago I have done a lot of these experiences as regular trainings for an official European race license which I obtained some ten years ago. It is so much fun My current track car is the Alfa 4C which is way bett...
Looks like a tremendous event!
I would love the opportunity to attend one of these track days some time...
Looks like fun! Any pictures of the interiors?
What color would you go for? I'd go for the darker blue or the grey.
Now that is how you sell sports cars! Looks like it was a great even and a dealer/brand that knows how to appeal to enthusiasts!
Good luck getting an a110! In addition to he car itself, it looks like a great community of owners which really completes the experience.
Sounds like so much fun, and more importantly a great opportunity to get yourself in these cars and be able to push them a little.
Is this something you can have (if you ordered) in a short time frame or is there a long lead on delivery? Are you now fully committed or are there still hesitation?
Looks like you had a good time.
I'll look forward to your assessment of the different versions. Looks like great fun!
Thanks for sharing
Looks like you had a blast. Any inside info on the potential for a good old manual transmission?
Thanks for the comprehensive coverage of what looks like a full day
Nice opportunity to check different exhaust setups too. It looks like history will repeat itself next month with the Alpine taking part to a real rally (albeit a typically muddy one - it won't be easy for the drivers!) www.lemagsportauto.com ...
Thank you very very much for this wonderful report!
The Alpine is my favourite sports car today, by far... White might be the best colour, would you agree?
White with carbon roof is really tops.
A 110S: I must say this one is very tempting. As for the A 110 being your favorite sports car of the moment, I can only agree. I am doing my best to get one. Best, my friend. Nicolas ...
Thank you, my friend, for this brilliant fotos. Yes, yes, yes... - white with black rims is absolutely perfect!
I‘ll have to check at the next Alpine center in Dusseldorf...
