Alpine Reveals A110 Modified to Attack Pikes Peak
Alpine has revealed its A110 specially modified to tackle the infamous Pikes Peak hillclimb. The French manufacturer has created a one-off version of its sports car, which has been fitted with a bespoke aerodynamic package and some mechanical tweaks to help it deal with the extreme altitude and thin air found at the Colorado-based event.
Aerodynamic Modifications
The A110 is already a pretty slippery car, but Alpine's engineers have gone to town on the aero package for the Pikes Peak special. The front splitter has been made deeper and the dive planes have been extended further back along the sides of the car to generate more downforce at the front, while the rear wing is much larger than the standard item, too.
This should help the A110 stick to the road at higher speeds and provide more stability through the many fast, sweeping corners found on the Pikes Peak course.
Power and Performance Upgrades
Under the hood, the A110's 1.8-liter turbocharged engine has received some attention, too. The standard car has a healthy 252 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, but Alpine has squeezed an extra 46 horsepower out of the engine for the Pikes Peak special, taking the total output up to 298 horsepower.
This should allow the car to hit higher speeds on the mountain course, where the thin air can have a significant impact on engine performance. The A110 is also fitted with bespoke adjustable suspension, as well as bigger brakes to help it stop effectively at the end of those long straights.
Why Pikes Peak?
The Pikes Peak hillclimb is one of the most famous motorsport events in the world. The 12.4-mile course winds its way up the side of Pikes Peak, a mountain in Colorado that stands at 14,115 feet tall. The race has been held since 1916 and attracts competitors from all over the world, with cars, bikes, and even trucks all competing for the fastest time up the hill.
The event is known for its extreme altitude, which can cause issues with engine performance, as well as its tight and twisty mountain roads, which require a very different driving technique to a traditional racetrack. Many famous drivers have tackled Pikes Peak over the years, including Sebastien Loeb, who set the current overall record in 2013.
The Alpine A110
The Alpine A110 is a mid-engined sports car that was launched in 2017. It has been well received by critics and buyers alike, thanks to its sharp handling and stylish design. The car is powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, which is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The A110 is a relatively lightweight car, tipping the scales at just over 2,400 pounds. This, combined with its mid-engined layout, means it is capable of some impressive performance figures. The standard car can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.
Conclusion
Alpine's modified A110 looks set to be a serious contender at this year's Pikes Peak event. The car's aerodynamic and mechanical upgrades should give it the edge it needs to tackle the demanding mountain course, while the extra power and performance should help it cope with the thin air at altitude.
It will be interesting to see how the car performs against some of the other famous names in motorsport that will be taking part in this year's event. Whatever happens, it is sure to be an exciting spectacle for fans of high-speed hillclimbing.
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