For driving enthusiasts, few cars hit the sweet spot quite like a mid-engine sports coupe. And while the Porsche Cayman often dominates the conversation, there’s one exceptional alternative that never officially made it to American shores. It is a lightweight, agile machine that many say delivers an even purer experience.
With razor-sharp handling, a perfectly balanced chassis, and a focus on driver engagement over brute power, this car was engineered for winding roads and spirited drives. Its performance credentials rival the best in the segment, yet it adds a unique personality and charm that’s hard to replicate.
Enthusiasts around the world praise it as one of the most rewarding sports cars of its kind. If you’re looking for a Cayman-like experience with its own distinctive flavor, this underrated gem might be the one that got away. Here’s what makes it so special.
to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Alpine websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and CarBuzz.
The 2025 Alpine A110 is a Near-Perfect Sports Coupe
For those that don’t know, Alpine is a French sports car manufacturer that has been around since the 50s. Right now, they are essentially the performance wing of Renault. The A110 is a lightweight sports car that calls back to the legendary 1963 sports car of the same name that made the brand what it is today.
£55,160
£69,890
A110 R 70th Anniversary
£106,490
The A110 comes in three distinct trim levels, with the above outlining its MSRP according Alpine’s U.K. branch. At the time of writing this article, that would put the base A110 at around $75,000 and the GTS at $95,000. That means the A110’s pricingmirrors the Porsche Cayman’salmost exactly. This is the last year of the A110, with the brand signing off witha 70th Anniversary version of the R, which costs around $145,000.
While cars like the Cayman definitely focus on keeping weight low, the Alpine takes that to the next level. If you only look at the spec sheet of the A110, you might think that it’s a bit underwhelming for the price that you pay. However, the French automaker has created one of the most finely tuned sporting machines in the world, and it is a lot more impressive than its power figures might suggest.
If you’re looking for pure sportiness, the base model is exceptional. Keeping things simple is what makes the A110 so special, and the most affordable trim does this best. If you want something that you’re able to cruise around in when you’re not tearing up back roads, then the GTS offers a better balance between speed and comfort. The R turns things up all the way and is best reserved for those looking for a track toy.
It May Not Be Powerful, But the Alpine A110 is An Absolute Weapon
As mentioned above, power is not the Alpine’s strong suit. It features a fairly small powerplant, smaller than what you’d find in most sports cars sold in the States. However, the A110 proves that being lightweight is more important than being powerful, with it turbo-four being more than enough to turn the little coupe into a rocket.
252 HP
296 HP
236 LB-FT
251 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
155 MPH
177 MPH
Sat behind the seats of the Alpine A110 is the same engine that powered the Renault Megane RS, the second-fastest front-wheel drive car around the Nurburgring. In the base model it makes 252 horsepower, but in the GTS and the R output is pumped up to 296 horses. While this doesn’t sound like a lot, the Alpine weighs under 2,500 pounds, which means the turbo-four is more than powerful enough. While some might criticize that the A110 doesn’t offer a manual transmission, the seven-speed dual-clutch is absolutely superb. Shifts are smooth and rowing through gears using the paddles is almost just as satisfying.
The A110 may not be as quick off the line as some competitors, such as the Cayman, but it offers a driving experience that is truly unique. At every stage, the coupe feels like it is eager to move, ready to conquer whatever you throw at it. While it may not have the exhaust note that you’d find in a flat-six Porsche, it delivers drama that is easily on par. That being said, it is still quite raucous sounding for an inline-four, without relying too heavily on silly crackles and pops.
The lightweight nature of the French sports car and its mid-engine setup are what make it so special. There are few machines on four wheels that match the level of precision on offer here. It is born and bred to take on B-roads, which it does superbly. Yet, it remains approachable, without the complexity that often makes high-performance cars so intimidating to the average driver.
Fuel Efficiency
Another win for lightweight sports cars comes in the form of running costs. Alpine quotes that the base A110 gets somewhere around 40 miles per gallon combined, depending on the trim. Before you get too excited, gallons are different in the U.K. This would equate to approximately 33 miles per gallon in U.S. metrics, which is still pretty good.
Some drivers have stated that the A110 comes closer to 35 miles per gallon (U.K.) combined, though. In American metrics, that is around 29 miles per gallon. That still makes it a top performer in its class. The next generation of the A110 is rumored to bean all-electric model.
Key Driver Assist and Safety Features
Alpine has built the A110 with a focus on simplicity, aiming to be as light as possible. What this means is that some sacrifices need to be made. The French coupe doesn’t come with advanced driver assists like a lot of the new cars in the United States. It lacks features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, focusing only on delivering the necessities.
Alpine’s Little Sports Car is Cool, But It Isn’t Very Practical
To keep weight down and performance up, some sacrifices must be made. This means that the A110 isn’t a car that you’re really going to want to drive daily if you’re someone who packs heavily. Other creature comforts are also forgone in the name of driving purity, which is to be expected from such a small car.
Cargo Capacity
6.9 Cubic Feet
In terms of space for passengers, the Alpine is actually not as small as you would expect. There is ample headroom for a car of this class, and even the tallest drivers are likely to comfortably fit in the cabin. Legroom is also generous, with the adjustable seats giving you a ton of space to stretch out. However, cargo capacity is abysmally low. You have a trunk and a frunk, with the former offering 3.5 cubic feet of space and the latter 3.4 cubic feet. This isn’t a car that you pack with luggage and go on road trips with.
While comfort features are minimal, another method of keeping weight down, there is still enough on offer to justify the Alpine’s price tag. Leather upholstery is available and other interior materials are of very high quality. Dual-zone climate control comes standard and heated seats are available.
Infotainment and Technology
The A110 is still a modern car, meaning that, despite its minimalist approach, technology plays a large role in the cabin. A seven-inch infotainment screen is mounted to the center of the dashboard. This system is smooth and responsive and the display is crisp. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard features. The gauge display is also fully digital, changing in vibe depending on your selected drive mode. A premium Focal sound system is also available.
With a heavy focus on performance, tech is used to track and display telematics and other related data. This includes displaying things like turbo pressure, gearbox temperature, engine power, torque, and steering wheel angle. There is also a chronograph function which allows you to track things like lap times.
