The next-generation Alpine A110 is coming next year, and we got our first taste of the car at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Unlike the current model, which uses a mid-mounted turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the third-generation car will be propelled by two rear-mounted electric motors, producing a combined output of over 300 horsepower.
In a market that seems to be backing away from EVs, this might be cause for concern with a small company like Alpine, but the company's CEO seemed confident when speaking to Evo at Goodwood. Phillippe Krief believes his company does not have the same uphill battle as Porsche with regard to EVs.
View Price on Amazon"We launched the A290 and A390, to add new customers and increase awareness of the brand, to put cars in the street. Now we are focusing on the new A110 and the new platform is not just for one shot like it was last time, but for some other cars," Krief said, hinting that more models will come from the A110's new Alpine Performance Platform (APP).
APP will reportedly spawn a larger model with three electric motors, which will rival the Porsche 911. The CEO feels confident the A110 will be a true sports car, despite being electric, due to its light weight and excellent weight balance. APP can also accommodate a gas engine, if customers hate the all-electric version, but Krief doesn’t think Alpine will need to take this route.
By Q4 2026, we will know. We will be ready to push the button on ICE. I don't know if we are going to push the button because we need to understand the second aspect, the markets. Because for us it's not like Porsche; this is not a de-risking plan. It's an opportunity. We’re not afraid to fail in terms of the EV," he explained.
Assuming Alpine can get the weight balance right and add some drama with sound and gear shifting, the A110 can be as fun as a gas-powered car. Plus, it being an EV makes it more likely that this generation may finally come to the US, unlike the outgoing car.
Source: motor1.com
