Categories: Cars

Could Fit A Gas Engine

The next Alpine A110 sports car will remain an EV.
A gas version isn’t in the works, but CEO Philippe Krief says it’s ‘designed to accommodate an internal combustion engine.’
The A110 EV will have two battery packs and two electric motors.

One of Europe’s most beloved sports cars is going electric. Alpine is readying an all-new version of the A110, with two electric motors, two battery packs, and a lightweight driving feel. It’s destined to take on rivals like Audi and Porsche in the burgeoning EV sports car space.

But here’s the thing: Alpine knows that the future of electrification is still uncertain. While the company says it remains committed to building an all-electric version of the A110, the French sports car maker admits it can pivot back to a gas engine quickly if needed.

Speaking to Autocar, Alpine boss Philippe Krief confirmed that the sports car “will be electric,” but also said that the platform “is designed to accommodate an internal combustion engine.” Krief explains in more detail:

‘The goal of Futuready [Renault Group’s future-looking plan] is to be prepared for the future, so we have developed the platform to receive an ICE.’

Krief makes it clear that the company currently has no plans to make a gas-powered version of the new Alpine A110. But rather, the automaker wants to be prepared for the future, depending on how regulations and customer wants evolve over the next few years.

Alpine’s new A110 EV will ride on the brand’s Alpine Performance Platform (APP) and feature two separate 800-volt battery packs—front and rear—designed to give the car better balance. Two powerful electric motors will be mounted on the rear axle, the suspension will be fully aluminum, and the company will introduce a new technology called Alpine Active Torque Vectoring that distributes power every 10 milliseconds to improve handling and balance.

Alpine says that its new A110 EV will have a “lightweight” feel and deliver the driving dynamics of a proper sports car. It will feature a Formula 1-inspired seating position, and the car will spawn a convertible and 2+2 variants in the future.

“Our ambition is to become the leading French sports speciality brand in the world, offering the best driver’s cars of the EV era,” says Krief. “We will do this by constantly embracing new technologies and bonding them with Alpine’s DNA.”

Motor1’s Take: While it will certainly be sad to see the gas-powered A110 go, we’re confident that Alpine’s new electric sports car will be nearly as thrilling as the version it replaces. We just need it to come to America…