I’ve been to Le Mans many times. Both as a visitor to the 24-hour race, which takes place every June. But also at the no less well-known Le Mans Classic a short time later in July. The medium-sized city, two hours southwest of Paris, becomes a mecca for motorsport and vintage car fans around these two major events. Le Mans is literally bursting at the seams, the campsites around the circuit are full to capacity, it smells of petrol and a festival atmosphere.
The last French sports car
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But for once I’m here in late autumn. The sky is gray, it is drizzling, Le Mans seems almost deserted. Nevertheless, I’m excited because a special premiere awaits me: Alpine has invited a handful of journalists to test the Alpine A110 R Ultime, which is limited to 110 units.
For 20 minutes, I am the only Swiss medium allowed to exclusively test the French brand’s most radical expansion stage and the Grande Nation’s last sports car. “We had a free hand in development and built a completely new car,” says Hervé Maillet, who led the project at Alpine.
More than just an evolution of the A110
The essential facts briefly summarized: 345 hp, a new 6-speed gearbox, adjustable rear wing, Öhlins damper, more downforce and lowered: -20 mm at the front, -25 mm at the rear. The Ultime is more than just an evolutionary stage of the Alpine A110 – it is a different car.
And I can feel that from the first few meters in the pit lane. Akrapovic’s titanium exhaust coughs briefly, followed by a rattle and babble that screams race track. The whole car vibrates as if carbon and aluminum were pulsating and breathing.
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The most legendary route in the Grande Nation
At the end of the pit lane I accelerate. There are still damp sections on the road because it rained during the night. For the first time I fly under the Dunlop Arch, where many photos have been taken and heroic stories have been written. Our route goes to the right. I hit the brakes hard. The Alpine A110 R Ultime stoically stays on track and steers with great precision, cornering like a board.
On the back straight I press the gas again. The speed climbs quickly from 160 to 180 and 200 km/h. The rear wing ensures balance even at high speeds; the Alpine A110 R Ultime, which weighs 1,100 kilograms, literally floats over the slopes. My confidence in the car increases every lap.
Even when I pushed my right foot down a little too hard at the exit of the curve on damp ground, the Ultime with its prancing rear only caused a brief moment of shock and was easy to catch again. My slot is over too quickly. After a few laps I turn back into the pit lane and get out. The engine continues to crackle for a few minutes and the tires radiate heat.
A car for enthusiasts
And I realize: This wasn’t just a quick ride on a race track, but a moment that won’t come again. The Alpine A110 R Ultime is the last pure combustion engine from the French and is limited to just 110 units and costs at least 245,000 francs in Switzerland. Nevertheless, three Alpine fans in this country have already taken advantage.
Even more exclusive is the “La Bleue” version, which is limited to just 15 units and costs 298,000 francs. A copy of this is also coming to Switzerland. Expensive? Yes. And no car you need. But a car for enthusiasts and petrolheads who will eventually remember why people once loved cars like this.
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