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2018 Alpine A110 GT4

2018 Alpine A110 GT4
•Developed, built and sold by Signatech leveraging decades of racing experience
•Alpine returns to competition with other car makers in a production-based category
•A110 Cup can be upgraded to GT4 specification with kit of components
•GT4 adds next step to Alpine's ladder of progression

Ever since its foundation in 1955, Alpine has competed at the highest levels of international motorsport to demonstrate the performance and durability of its cars. Alpine's most famous motorsport successes include overall victory the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 and winning the 1973 FIA World Rally Championship teams' title. Today, it continues to race in the LMP2 FIA World Endurance Championship – winning the series in 2016 – while the one-make Alpine Europa Cup allows amateur Alpine enthusiasts to compete in track-prepared A110 Cup race cars.

The new A110 GT4 will see Alpine return to the racetrack in competition with the world's most prestigious car makers in a production-based category. Building on the specification of the A110 Cup with more power and enhanced aerodynamic downforce, the GT4 is the ultimate version of the A110 sports car.

Developed, built and sold by Alpine's motorsport partner Signatech – the organisation that operates Alpine's FIA World Endurance Championship programme and the Alpine Europa Cup – the A110 GT4 is based on the A110 road car, sharing its lightweight aluminium chassis and double wishbone suspension. Motorsport-specification springs and dampers, Brembo competition brakes, racing tyres, a downforce-generating front splitter and rear wing, a sequential competition gearbox and extensive engine upgrades lift the A110's track performance to as yet unseen levels. A safety cage, fire extinguisher and racing seat and harness complete the motorsport makeover.

Equipped with air conditioning, the A110 GT4 retains the road car's 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, albeit with significant power upgrades.

To be run by customer teams with support from Signatech, the A110 GT4 will begin racing in selected events in the second half of the 2018 season. The car will enter full production in time for the 2019 motorsport season.

Úniquely, Signatech will offer A110 Cup customers the opportunity to upgrade their cars to GT4 specification using a package of components, enabling them to compete in the Alpine Cup one season and progress to the GT4 category the following year, all with the same car.

Being based on the A110 road car, the GT4 racer benefits from that model's inherent qualities. Its compact size and lightweight construction are key virtues for circuit racing, as is the mid-engined layout and optimal weight distribution. With very light tyre use and a power-to-weight ratio of 312bhp/tonne – the very limit permitted by GT4 regulations – the A110 is particularly well suited to the GT4 category.

Eligible for the SRO European GT4 Series, the international Creventic 24 Hour series and many one-off races such as the Spa 24 Hours, the A110 GT4 will be seen competing around the globe at many of the world's most famous circuits.

With the launch of the A110 GT4, Alpine's ladder of progression takes another step. Driving enthusiasts can begin by enjoying their A110s on the road before heading out on circuit during Alpine's official trackdays. From there, they can begin competing against like-minded enthusiasts in the Alpine Cup before eventually progressing to the top rung of the ladder in the A110 GT4.

Michael van der Sande, Alpine Managing Director, said: 'Alpine made its name by competing against other car makers and the new A110 GT4 by Signatech will see us return to that arena. I'm confident the car will be competitive; our ambition is for it to win races and championships.

'Now, amateur competitors can race with us in the Alpine Cup in a friendly and relaxed environment before upgrading their cars and tackling the highly-competitive GT4 series.'

Philippe Sinault, Signatech team principal, added: 'Since 1990 Signatech has competed in various international motorsport series in both single-seaters and endurance racing, with enormous success. We've applied all of that experience and expertise to the development of the new A110 GT4 to make it a highly competitive racing car.

'Since teaming up with Alpine in the FIA World Endurance Championship we've won races on three continents. In 2016 we won the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on our way to winning that year's championship. We look forward to enjoying that same level of success with Alpine in the GT4 category.'

A110 technical and design details
•Lightweight aluminium construction
•Double wishbone suspension
•Mid-mounted 252PS (248hp) turbocharged engine
•All-new A110 design inspired by classic Alpines

Engineered for driving pleasureLightweight, agile and rewarding to drive, the A110 is above all else a true Alpine.

Designed from a blank sheet it has been engineered to thrill and engage the driver at all speeds, prioritising driving pleasure above lap times and outright acceleration figures.

It does this without compromising on everyday comfort, and it can be enjoyed by drivers at all levels of experience or ability.

Its lightweight construction, low roll centre and perfect weight distribution allow the driver to feel at one with the machine. The aluminium chassis and bodywork form the basis for the A110's poise and agility. Bonded and riveted to reduce weight even further, the compact aluminium body offers the best possible balance between rigidity, weight and build quality. Weighing as little as 1080kg (with fluids) the A110 occupies its own niche within the sports car segment, offering a uniquely engaging driving experience.

As well as the lightweight construction, the A110 owes its agility to the all-round double wishbone suspension layout. Whereas most cars in the premium sports car segment use simpler strut-type suspension systems, Alpine's engineers favoured a double wishbone arrangement for the multitude of ride and handling advantages it confers.

The A110's 44:56 weight distribution – perfect for a mid-engined sports coupé – is helped by the fuel tank being located immediately behind the front axle line. This means the A110 is perfectly balanced in cornering and the driver feels at one with the car at all times. With its very pliant ride quality and suite of driver aids – including ABS, traction control and stability control – the A110 remains useable, safe and comfortable day-to-day.

The 100-litre storage space in the front is generous enough to accept a pair of airline carry-on cases side-by-side, while the 96-litre rear storage compartment can accommodate two full-face helmets plus an overnight bag.

Supplied by renowned brake specialists Brembo, the A110's optional 320mm brake discs with four-piston aluminium calipers on the front axle provide strong and durable stopping power.

The stability control system, meanwhile, features an intermediate Sport mode, as well as a Track setting that allows a little more wheel slip before intervening, giving a more engaging yet secure drive. For circuit use, the ESP system can be disabled fully regardless of the selected driving mode.

The three driving modes are Normal, Sport and Track. As the driver switches up through the modes such parameters as throttle response, steering assistance, gearshift speeds and stability control intervention – as well as exhaust sound if the optional active sports exhaust is fitted – are all adapted to deliver a sharper, more thrilling and more emotional driving experience. The 10-inch digital TFT display within the instrument binnacle also changes with each driving mode, favouring the rev counter, gear display and gear shift lights in Sport and Track.

The turbocharged 1.8-litre direct injection four-cylinder engine develops a maximum power output of 252PS (248hp) at 6000rpm, with 320Nm of torque from just 2000rpm. The responsive, energetic in-line engine delivers its power to the rear wheels via a wet clutch seven-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission, which features Alpine-specific ratios. The gearbox offers fast shift speeds and combines a manual function - in which the driver can change gears using the aluminium paddles - with an effortless automatic mode. The brake-based electronic differential function, meanwhile, delivers superb traction even in slippery conditions.

The car's excellent power to weight ratio (224hp/tonne), plus a launch control system, enables the A110 to sprint to 62mph in 4.5 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. The lightweight construction ensures excellent fuel efficiency (46.3mpg combined NEDC) and low CO2 emissions (138g/km).

With a flat underbody and functional rear diffuser, the car's carefully crafted aerodynamics eliminate the need for a rear spoiler. This preserves the A110's elegant, timeless silhouette.

Air inlets in the front bumper, meanwhile, create a curtain around the front wheels, improving air flow and reducing drag.

Timeless, elegant design

2018 Alpine A110 GT4
Inspired by the original A110 Berlinette, Alpine's most iconic model, the all-new A110 forms a link between the brand's heritage and its future. Led by Frenchman Antony Villain, the design team set out to capture the spirit of Alpine in the new car while also creating a design language that would stand the test of time.
The twin front headlights, sculpted flanks, distinctive bonnet spine and wraparound rear screen are clearly borrowed from the A110 Berlinette, while the LED running lights and 'X'-shaped LED tail-lights, with dynamic turn indicators, hint at the car's modern day engineering and performance. The single, graceful line that flows from the very front of the car to the rear, meanwhile, is a signature Alpine design feature. With very few technical restraints to work around and an open design brief, the designers were able to realise a beautiful, elegant shape that's instantly recognisable as an Alpine.

The car's clean, uncluttered silhouette was achieved by working in parallel with the engineering team. A completely flat underside and functional diffuser mean there's no need for a rear spoiler. And although the exterior dimensions are very compact, contributing to the car's agility, the cabin still offers enough space for taller drivers to sit comfortably, even if they're wearing a helmet.

Access to the high-quality cabin is among the best in the sports car sector thanks to the low and narrow sill, while the interior itself reflects the A110's lightweight construction. The floating centre console and exposed seat brackets give a sense of purpose and lightness.

Source - Alpine

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