You are right, Filip. There are many great Porsches, as long s they have only two doors, and at least a 6 Cylinders engine. ;) Which doesn't mean that there are no other great cars...

Oct 19, 2020,14:03 PM
 

Such as the Lotus or... This Alpine. The engine is not that noble, in the Alpine, but it works very well, and it is full of life. And the whole car is such a charm!
I told you, I remember our discussion very well, that I thought that 252 HP were maybe not enough, and that it was a pity that it didn't have a manual gear box.
YOU were right, I was partially wrong. 252 HP are enough for such a car: 0 to 100 Km/h in 4, 5 seconds, that speaks loud. 1000 meters in 23, 2 seconds, that speaks even louder.
I still regret the manual gear box, but I have to say that this automatic gear box is fast, and pleasant.
You were right, it has to be tested. And testing it is adopting it!
Best,
Nicolas


More posts: Lotus

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Alpine — a mini-Ferrari?

 
 By: cazalea : October 19th, 2020-10:44
(From Automotive News) Renault's Italian-born CEO Luca de Meo has a brave ambition: to build a sports-car brand, barely brought back to life, into a Ferrari fighter. Alpine, the French marque that Renault revived recently after 20 years of dormancy, is a ...  

I am following all that very closely. I was very excited when they announced that the A 110 was back some three years ago. I just feared I would be disappointed.

 
 By: amanico : October 19th, 2020-10:57
I could recently test drive several of them: Pure, Legende, and the S. This car is pure madness, a real pleasure to pilot. I was and still am totally convinced. At the point I will get one. Now the big question is to know what they will do: Alpine will ta... 

Yes, it’s a super car

 
 By: cazalea : October 19th, 2020-11:09
But the parent company has to love it too for long-term owner support and satisfaction. I was surprised how low the production figures are. The Lotus Elise is in the same ballpark — at the beginning 2-4,000 a year but for the last decade it’s been well un... 

Luca wanted to purchase Alfa Romeo from Fiat

 
 By: penfriend : October 19th, 2020-11:01
when he was at Audi/Volkswagen - after seeing the Alfa 4C (which is a small Ferrari). However, Fiat was not willing to sell - so now he gets desperate imho

Definitely in a different league to TVR ...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 19th, 2020-12:00
at Alpine they have something called Quality Control.

ROFL! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 19th, 2020-12:40

Alpine have built some great cars ...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 19th, 2020-11:56
I have been fortunate enough to own several in the past. Hopefully, eventually they have the success with the A110 that they deserve. My only concern its difficult to succeed and develop the next generation model if you aren’t selling sufficient volumes. ... 

Yes and

 
 By: batholith : October 19th, 2020-13:00
that is what they used to be, a wonderfully quirky alternative to the Porsches back in the day, more basic and direct than the larger, heavier Italians. I hope they never lose that wonderful character they've had through their history.

Business opportunity 🤔.

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 19th, 2020-14:17

Probably 👍 [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 19th, 2020-14:21

Ouch! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 19th, 2020-14:33

Difficult brand

 
 By: Weems@8 : October 19th, 2020-12:37
I can not make a cake of Alpine. Lotus at the other hand i can understand. Thinking about James Bond his Esprit, it can be good for Alpine to be more known when they use the cars in a James Bond movie. Painful i saw Chris Harris his escape from a burning ... 

Will it be better than a Porsche Cayman?

 
 By: patrick_y : October 19th, 2020-12:52
And do we really need another sports car when a Tesla Model 3 Performance can run circles around this thing and can keep up with $200,000 Ferrari Portofino and McLaren 570S?

+1. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 19th, 2020-14:05

True! However, the Tesla is definitely making me hesitate on all the nice cars!

 
 By: patrick_y : October 21st, 2020-09:54
$55,000 USD gets you a Model 3 Performance; 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. They're certainly very fast and they offer excellent steering performance and handling. Mediocre brakes. Now, I'm a big fan of the nice cars from Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Roll... 

Real car enthusiasts ....

 
 By: bimbeano : October 19th, 2020-13:43
... will always prefer this car above any other in the same price region .... but they have to have the opportunity to test it. And IMO here lies the big problem Alpine faces. When it came out in 2017, every Alpine freak wanted one, those with money bough... 

You are right, Filip. There are many great Porsches, as long s they have only two doors, and at least a 6 Cylinders engine. ;) Which doesn't mean that there are no other great cars...

 
 By: amanico : October 19th, 2020-14:03
Such as the Lotus or... This Alpine. The engine is not that noble, in the Alpine, but it works very well, and it is full of life. And the whole car is such a charm! I told you, I remember our discussion very well, that I thought that 252 HP were maybe not... 

Do tell!

 
 By: Arronax : October 19th, 2020-21:57
I was under the impression the aluminum chassis would require extensive rework. I would probably have gotten one if that wasnt for the lack of a manual transmission, I find that rowing gears is most satisfying. I understand the a110 is a fantastic package... 

I was in the same spot as you before trying it

 
 By: VinnieD : October 20th, 2020-00:08
but the automated gearbox is really not a problem. The cabin is really cramped too so not sure I would be physically able to row gears manually

I told you...

 
 By: VinnieD : October 20th, 2020-12:00
Maybe in 2021. My problem is that I always buy my cars second hand and there is zero depreciation that I can see on that model so I might need to make an exception for this little one

So true .... and guess what ...

 
 By: bimbeano : October 22nd, 2020-11:23
Today another friend ordered one LOLOL ....

Theoretically everything is possible .....

 
 By: bimbeano : October 20th, 2020-12:28
... but i read something about the decision NOT to use a manual. First was the weight, apparently the double clutch is lighter 😳 ? Anyway, the second problem was the fitting of a manual that was nearly impossible. Now offcourse if you give a company like ... 

Why not ?

 
 By: bimbeano : October 20th, 2020-12:28
Could be interesting 😁