Alpine has built its final A110 before transitioning to the next generation, which debuts at Goodwood Festival of Speed next week. The French sports car maker plans to reveal an all-electric version initially, with a gasoline variant potentially arriving later.
The current A110 has been in production since 2017, delivering lightweight thrills with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 252 horsepower. That formula earned it cult status among driving enthusiasts who valued its 2,700-pound curb weight and responsive handling over raw power. Alpine positioned it as a spiritual successor to the original 1960s A110, targeting buyers seeking analog purity in an increasingly digital automotive landscape.
The shift to electric power signals Alpine's alignment with parent company Renault's broader electrification strategy. An EV-first approach also opens doors to markets like the United States, where the current A110 never officially launched. Regulatory compliance and infrastructure have made gas-only sports cars harder to justify globally, particularly in Europe where Alpine draws its core customer base.
Details remain limited ahead of next week's Goodwood reveal, but the decision to offer electric initially followed by gas reflects automaker hedging. Legacy sports car buyers often resist EVs, citing range anxiety and the loss of engine character. Offering both powertrains lets Alpine capture EV early adopters while retaining traditionalists who still crave combustion engines.
Renault has struggled to maintain Alpine as a standalone brand after discontinuing models like the A610. A credible, modern A110 could anchor the nameplate's revival, especially if U.S. availability becomes reality. The next-generation car must prove that electric powertrains can deliver the engaging, lightweight driving experience that made the outgoing model special, not just replicate its silhouette with a battery underneath.