Driving the A110 R: Alpine's Most Hardcore A110 | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat

The Alpine A110 R is billed as the ultimate version of the featherweight French sportscar. But after driving it, Henry Catchpole began wondering what the R in its name might stand for. After pondering a few possibilities, he finally hit upon the answer, which doesn’t lie with the Alpine F1 team as you might expect but rather with the greatest hot hatch of all time.
A quick look at the Alpine A110 R’s numbers could also have you questioning why it commands such a price premium over the original and S variants of the A110; It has no more power than the A110 S and the weight savings are a relatively minimal 34kg or 75lb. But dig a little deeper and it’s clear why the R very much deserves its top billing.
For a start, the weight saving has been hard-won and strategic. For example, the standard buckets were an already trim 13.1kg (28lb 14oz) each, but the R has managed to shave another 2.5kg (5lb 8oz) off that figure. The carbon fibre wheels by Duqueine might give you sleepless nights if you have to park next to high kerbs on a frequent basis, but they do save an impressive 12.5kg (27lb) of unsprung, rotating mass.
This means that the unchanged 296bhp and 251lb ft has just 1082kg (2385lb) to push around. Combined with Michelin Cup 2 tyres, this sees the 0-62mph time drop to just 3.9sec, so the R is no slouch in a straight line. However, it’s in the corners where it comes alive: New springs from Eibach, 20-way adjustable dampers from ZF and bump stops by BASF all combine to create magic in the ride and handling department.
We hope you enjoy this latest episode, with its incredible drone footage from the team of Glenn Winhall and Ben Cornish. Feel free to show your appreciation in the comments down below or just tell us whether you’d rather have an A110 R or a Porsche Cayman GT4! If you’d like to help support the show and the Hagerty KZbin channel in general, then please think about leaving a thumbs up, subscribing or even joining the Hagerty Drivers Club (bit.ly/Join-HD...) - any or all would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
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[@HenryCatchpole]

Thank you, as ever, for all the lovely comments. I really do appreciate it. As a few of you have said, the R is a frustrating prospect in many ways as the price will (understandably) be a sticking point for many and rivals like the Cayman and even the Emira will no doubt outsell it. But there is some real magic in the car (thank you JP Dauce and team) that stands out and deserves recognition. Probably didn't deserve the terrible joke after the credits at the end, but I couldn't resist!

[@samueldowney2806]

Great to hear a different perspective on the car Henry. I thought it might just be a kind of ultimate collectors edition type thing for fans of the A110 which would work, but hearing that it has a distinctive flavour and just is what it is makes more sense, i.e. It's not for everyone, but it is very very good at what it does. Much like the original (modern) A110 in fact...

[@spyros9756]

I hope and bet on the Cayman/Emira outselling it. Makes it a rarer car for me ;-)

[@bikesfrench8524]

Arrêter avec Porsche ils n'ont jamais été champion du monde des rallyes alpine est conçu pour le rallye les Porsche pèse 400 kg de plus 😅😅😅😅

[@4unkb0y]

Thanks Henry, your commentary on this one in particular is incredibly well thought out & delivered.

[@virtualsafetycar1991]

Henry never disappoints!

[@Waccoon]

Except his voice is so soft I can't hear him. I really wish Hagerty would turn down the damn music.

[@CharlesChristena]

Harry really is a better automotive journalist than he ever was a wizard. Well done Harry.

[@johntechwriter]

This is the sports car we Americans been waiting for - almost. Compact, light, and well suspended, this car is able to get its 400 hp to the road and deliver an intoxicating level of engagement to its fortunate driver. At least, that’s what I’m guessing. But being in the USA I’ll never know because its maker could never afford to add the heavy and numbing passive safety equipment required by the government in a futile attempt to lower the annual death toll from collisions from 49,000. This rate of fatalities is an outlier in a civilized democracy with good roads. But this country adheres to the agrarian notion that driving is a right to be enjoyed by all, and who needs training to point the car and press the gas pedal? So due to brain-dead drivers, and still far too many drunks on the road, those who love sports car driving in this country and have a six-figure budget are sadly deprived. If the car had a manual trans, steps would HAVE to be taken to bring it in. But if flappy paddles are needed to shift gears, the car is not COMPLETELY a must-have.

[@gunnarliljas8459]

Henry

[@damienthimonier4900]

@@johntechwriter 400hp it's not an easy task on those car. You don't really have enough space for a bigger turbo, upgrading the cooling system is mandatory (OEM aren't enough for track days). From what I've seen on French YT channel, they rarely goes over 340-350hp, for a useable setup. But even with "only" 340hp, I've saw a bunch of them destroying GT3 RS on track. You can find some A110S with 500 or 600hp, but it's heavily modified, with electric engines on the front wheels.

[@Fastvoice]

@@johntechwriter The latest number I read was about 39,000 per year, not 49,000.

[@HenryCatchpole]

I hide my lightning scar well these days

[@rjs2005]

As usual, life comes to a standstill while I watch a Catchpole video. For me, he's the successor to the late, great Alain de Cadenet and those fantastic Victory by Design episodes on Speed. Oh- and the Alpine A110R is pretty spectacular too...

[@66meikou]

If these could ever comply with the silly US regs and start selling here, I'd be first in the queue. I loved the original a110. It was just a beautiful and successful car. France's answer to Lancia.

[@larsmolema3270]

Wow Hagerty, what a movie! I love the man called Henry, the calmness of the voice, the always logical but not mainstream way of telling a cars story! Simply lovely!

[@FrankDBoyce]

How is Hagerty so much better than Top Gear?! Both Henry and Jason are light-years more entertaining

[@johnnytifosi]

Because TG thought a failed comedian and some rugby player would make good auto journalists.

[@TheStorkSR]

There are probably two production teams that work with both of them, but they let their presenters really shine while helping deliver a high quality product.

[@claretbadger]

Henry, Jason and Chris Harris are the Top Gear crew we deserve

[@viktorpetukhov727]

So true, Henry and Jason are the best of the best nowadays And praise included to Hagerty people for production quality

[@wheres_oxxy.4081]

Hear me out Rory, Jason and Henry for a show...

[@luke_3_113]

We were driving behind a blue A110 (no badging might have been an S?) on our local A road on Monday - even my mother and brother, who don't drive, could see why I was pointing it out - looked really cool, and just a touch different from other things on the road - would love to drive one :)

[@andrewwebster9619]

I could watch Henry's videos forever. Never stop, Henry

[@Tuberuser187]

Another great presentation by Henry and the Hagerty team, fantastic car and always nice to see the land of my Fathers.

[@mikehartdesign]

Henrys on, full screen and lean back ;)

[@daggidding4478]

Same here 😃👍

[@BillyJupiter]

😂👍 as we speak!

[@riccapucho]

Class act as ever, Mr Catchpole

[@michaelschneider-]

+1 Ditto That. ..

[@klasseact6663]

What a package this car is, especially love the rims!

[@9madness9]

Agree but need padding in the car so get out and put on kurbs before parking. Price of those rims would scare me to go near anything

[@bitc0inlightningrules423]

The carbon rims on the Porsche Taycan seems to be quite dramatic if you search for reviews.

[@lukewaring2832]

Even on my worst days of days nothing better then a spin with Mr catchpole.... Thanks epic as ever..

[@DaneRThomas]

Eliminating the rear window to save 1 kg seems a bit daft, to be honest. Additionally, I wonder how it would be with some form of limited-slip differential. I'm not saying that it should be prepared to run the East African Safari, but some of us drive on wet, snowy, or icy roads occasionally, and the extra help would be appreciated.

[@stefanck]

I was actually shocked when watching this video, to learn that it does not have an LSD 😮

[@Mr.Marbles]

Yeah the window is weird. I mean if they want to give it the „racecar vibe“ shouldnt it be plexiglass or something like that?

[@coldvaper]

Me too, the lack of diff is shocking I would have thought even the base 110 got a diff. @@stefanck

[@115jwalker]

Lotus finds diffs unnecessary, maybe alpine is following suit?

[@Fastvoice]

@@115jwalker Isn't it the same with McLaren?

[@spyros9756]

Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Both the car and the presentation.

[@adamalmqvist1789]

The Alpine is such a beautiful car. Ive seen one in real life and it is up there.

[@andrewburrell5710]

Another great Henry video with a story angle not seen elsewhere, always unique thanks sir

[@antburman]

Henry continues to inspire with a near-magical gift of insight and timing. That's radical too.

[@MaximilianvonPinneberg]

This is such a future classic. I’ve seen Porsche owners stop and admire these. Great presentation. I’m now a fan.

[@leglessAlex]

I knew, I absolutely KNEW that Henry was going to reference the R26.R when he started that description. Top work as always.

[@dobster5819]

Thank you Henry, magnificent as always.

[@ttluckybear]

The juxtaposition between Henry and Larry presenting and video styles is what makes this channel so unique and enjoyable!

[@thomaslegoff4069]

The way the diffuser goes so far under the car is amazing

[@My_Auto_Chronicles]

Yes! More Catchpole PLEASE! 🙏🙏🙏

[@darrenprior6339]

Give me this wonderful car, a GR Yaris and a 911ST and I'll die happy.

[@MegaRetr]

Awesome video thanks

[@ericl.9913]

Holy, that jump in the intro was beautiful! ❤

[@BrendanEvan]

If you don’t watch a Hagerty video, you’re missing out

[@dannyboag2718]

Henry is the man . Brilliant as always 👌

[@mrrs1113]

The minute the Catchpole name shows up.... it is that instant "I've gotta watch this one" pop up notification ❤🤘 Mr Catchpole is that eloquent person you need to watch 🤘

[@Mr_Cholmondley_Warner]

Only subbed because of Henry, one of the best automotive journalists

[@IsmaelCRUZ-oy4ph]

Henry, Jason and Chris is the top gear we need and what we deserve

[@everyday775]

Brilliant, well fitted and fast, French may be... Kidding from France, a new follower!

[@Trophy_R]

So glad I’ve still got my R26.R still after 11 years, I do need to get it out soon though for a good blast.

[@becauseiwasinverted7971]

Alonso race number is not 32. Had always been 14 since they introduced that rule I believe. 32 is his number of victories

[@SmallBlogV8]

On a similar note, they could just build 31 instead and call it the Ocon edition if they wanted.

[@becauseiwasinverted7971]

@@SmallBlogV8 😂 a similar note would be to build just 1 and call it the Ocon or Gasly edition as both have only won 1 GP

[@MrDallman]

Henry on point as always…I think ,and I know it’s very subjective, he really is the best presenter out there, his presentations are always ultra compelling.

[@topcover7390]

Love Henry my single favorite car reviewer. Wish they had this in the U.S....in a manual.

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

Great car, shame nobody bought it. Fitting really that the spiritual sucessor to the Elise will share it's fate of being lauded by all the pundits and ignored by the punters.

[@IkenOuse]

Such a shame they have never offered these with a manual gearbox, it would be on my list (used). Love how it looks, but I want my sports cars with 3 pedals.

[@gr0schibre572]

The fact is that there isn’t enough room to put a manual gearbox. But yeah, this car with a manual transmission should be close to perfection.

[@florentschreiber7215]

Guys I understand your point, but if you have a chance try it. I'm just in love with the gearbox! Slightly below Porsche PDK, but increadibly responsive. I only drive it on manual mode and it's addictive.

[@IkenOuse]

@@florentschreiber7215 Firstly a caveat: If I was racing top flight GT3 or WEC cars I want two pedals and two paddles. Driving a 'road car' fast for me has to be a whole body experience. I want to be using all three pedals at once matching the revs coming down the gears and nailing the upshift at maximum attack for me is bliss. Even the best paddle shift cars cannot give me that. Also pulling a paddles requires no skill but executing a perfect manual shift takes timing and practice, especially in 2000 986 S with the only driver aid is ABS.

[@aitorgallego98]

I have a standard a110 as my daily drive and only car and it's awesome can only imagine how the R feels like

[@MRVSKIN]

Love love love these videos should be a lot more with Harry

[@gregou22]

Love the conclusion :) Great Henry, as usual.

[@jamesmancuso3666]

If only I lived in a country where I could have one of those! Beautiful car.

[@williamegler8771]

If this were available in the United States at would be at my local dealership waving my checkbook and yelling "TAKE MY MONEY PLEASE"!

[@54M0HT]

Sadly US crash tests involve protecting *unbelted* occupants, and making the structure and airbags of the A110 work for that case would add another ~100 kg to the car, hence why it isn't US homologated.

[@florentschreiber7215]

@@54M0HT seriousely ??? Unbelted ???

[@Lookbusybuddy]

Do love a light agile car. So many heffers nowadays . Effortless movement.

[@OfficialWilly]

fantastic aspect ratio guys more of this!

[@bors2908]

A future classic indeed, low production numbers will only bump prices in 10 years

[@psf12345]

Great text and narrative!

[@vernonhampton6973]

Henry Catchpole is one of those people that could review a brick and a concrete block and have my undivided attention. I absolutely love his journalistic style.

[@reitsmaassociates]

Fabulous review - fabulous car !

[@pandanoff]

I had to rewind the video because I was like “Did I just hear him…”, yes I did. Great Pepsi reference, sir. Brilliant.

[@54M0HT]

You might think a rear-view mirror screen would be expensive and complex to develop, however... several years ago I had a cheap Nissan Note rental car in Japan which had exactly this, with a switch to change from mirror to screen displaying the camera view. So the system is already fully developed, cheap, and available from Renault's alliance partner.

[@williamwills8560]

I've currently got an i20n, and the combination of plucky power and lightweight chassis is a perfect recipe. If this is anything like mine it will be top draw, shame it's not got a manual shift though. If I had that sort of budget then I'd definitely go for this little pocket rocket.

[@martynrollinson]

Quality again from Henry 👍👍

[@BenOliver999]

Thank you for giving this wonderful man a home

[@markcarter9476]

Refreshing to know that the entry level A110 is (probably) the best for the majority of us. If you like carbon fibre, discomfort, noise, impracticality, showing off, the additional performance for the 1% of driving when you can use it, bragging, etc then the R is probably for you.

[@bikesfrench8524]

Si tu prends le poids x par la vitesse tu augmente ton poids au freinage si tu es plus léger😊 tu attaques plus vite les virages tu consomme moins et meilleure tenue de route il faut comprendre qu'elle conçu en France qui un pays montagneux le massif central les Pyrénées les Alpes la Corse les Vosges les Ardennes tout ceci représente des milliers de virage a peine que tu est sorti du virage aussitôt tu attaques le virage suivant ces très éprouvant tu dois rester toujours concentré aussi non ces la sortie de route Alpes alpine viens de la😊

[@shankarbalan3813]

What a beauty.

[@franzhuber7361]

It’s definitely a fun car. I had the pleasure to drive an A 110 S for 1500 km. It was a great experience but in the end I preferred the 718 GT 4.

[@aitorgallego98]

The gt4 is even more expensive than the R so what do you mean the gt4 is like 40.000€ more than the S here in Spain

[@alenseven11]

Well done Henry and Hagerty. 👏🏼

[@fredericberthou]

L’alpine dans sa catégorie ne rencontre finalement aucune concurrence avec son poids maîtrisé 👌👌👌

[@ranger_1472]

Wish these were in the states, would love to give one a spin.

[@davidgermain]

a small switch to trigger the rear view cam would not be impossible.

[@fondu-design]

I am pleased to learn about 8 minutes in there's an overrun pop on the car, not a woodpecker somehow loose behind my iMac on the desk. I WAS going craaaaaaazy

[@danieldickson4656]

Dear Henry, After watching your review of the Bentley Continental GT on an old AFB, I suspected you had an interest and are quite knowledgeable about military equipment and their history, in particular, Airplanes. Now, hearing you mention MD instead of Boeing, my suspicions have been confirmed. It would be awesome to get any form of Airplane documentary with you narrating it.

[@redline589]

Epic vid, good job and thanks.

[@KevBoy3D]

I’m with other people on this, it needs a manual gearbox. It’s not ripping your face off with power it needs to be enjoyed.

[@bikesfrench8524]

Si tu prends une boîte manuelle se représente plusieurs kilos en plus et ne sera pas assez rapide au passage des vitesse course de monte Carlo ou tour de Corse des milliers de virage donc la boîte de vitesse de l alpine te permet de rester concentré veut la course et surtout moins fatiguant pour le pilote bien en France tu vas vite comprendre 😊 la France on a la chaîne des Pyrénées les Alpes les Ardennes le massif central les Vosges ça c'est de la montagne donc c'est très efficace pour conduire si tu as une Porsche tu vas perdre ils sont trop lourdes avec des boîte manuelle elles sont pas fait pour rallyes 😊😊

[@rickybryan1759]

I concur this is quality video car reviewing

[@garagecedric]

Great engineering on the base car, considering how hard it is to remove any significant weight from it.

[@ducbox572]

Such a shame the Alpine isn't sold in the US but I can understand why not. We're definitely missing out. Also, Dad jokes. 😂

[@DavidsDriving]

They are planning to enter the US market 2026. But by then the brand will be fully electric

[@skippylegrandgourou2069]

It would be a failure, niche car, way too tiny for the US market and it is French. Otherwise fun car, Renault Sport knows how to make a proper chassis.

[@robinmarples5198]

R for RENAULT. they are taking a different road now but during the 00' and the 10' ...they were my favourite brand bringing exotic and passion to masses. Alpine a110, megane 2 and 3 rs and all the variants. Same for clio 2 and 3 rs.

[@alistairthow1384]

Henry has a way with words 😮 I had to triple take that he said 'Bucking' car and not something else😮😂

[@EnamKunutsor]

That last line is a fantastic audition for a Hector Barbosa origin story in a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie! lol

[@AleksandrHalas]

this is almost the only modern French car that is a dream

[@Abrvpt]

If by almost you mean to include the base A110, yes this is spot on ^^ (And before anyone point at me saying that I am anti french, I am french myself)

[@Hecate24]

i love how these videos perfectly fit my 20.5:9 phone aspect ratio

[@matthewnicholas6365]

177mph in a car weighing 1100kg must be terrifying

[@jackwicker]

Good lord I wish we got the A110 in the USA.

[@coatscell]

Catchpole is great, which is the only reason I watched an entire video about a car I wouldn't consider buying for half that price...

[@ambergris5705]

Ah, Henry and his obsession with rallying... I'm not complaining !

[@2007MXV]

PLEASE bring it to North America!!!

[@Beauchee]

21:9 LOVE YOU GUYS !

[@James-pl2oy]

If it’s good enough for Gordon Murray’s daily driver and benchmark for his GMA T.50 ride compliance, then it’s good enough for me

[@timmason5230]

Thanks Henry!

[@AntoniusTyas]

There is a prototype A110R with extra aero stuffs (a sharkfin) spied being tested around Nordschleife. If it is going to be a special edition, I'd like them to call it Edition Andruet to celebrate Jean-Claude Andruet who lead Alpine's 1-2-3 podium at 1973 Monte Carlo. Or maybe just call it Edition 1973, made 1973 of them and paint it Bleu Alpine Acier. That I would not mind paying GBP110k (coincidentally).

[@Melk047]

Great vidéo Btw, i understood JP Dauce just received his own R version few days ago...

[@FYMASMD]

Starts at 97k!! Car prices have truly gone insane.

[@geoffwatches]

I'd sooner have an emira or a porsche or... Most things in that price range.

[@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic]

Carbon fiber ain't cheap 😅😅😅 Those top trim Lotus Elise cars were not cheap either.

[@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic]

​@@geoffwatches, thing will beat both Emira's everywhere. It will beat a 4.0 Cayman GTS everywhere too. Also, might be hard to find a non marked up Cayman GTS?

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

Same price as a Cayman gt4 here. Not very interesting. Do me the standard A110. Although... I wonder if I would prefer a BBR modified Miata. I hate auto boxes.

[@myownsite]

This is probably a future collectors' item.

[@jonathandemacedo158]

Alpine A110 Rallye would be an incredible car. Considering the appetite for these types of car with well-heeled buyers, that seems like an absolute NO brainer for sales/marketing etc. Who knows?

[@stanley4290]

300hp per ton? Love stuff, not a beginner car I would say

[@JippaJ]

That alpine looks amazing and if Henry is to be believed, it drives amazing as well. It's just that throughout this video you hear rattles and squeaks constantly! That combined with Renaults known reliability issues... I don't know...

[@adamrawlings6789]

I've had a 197 Cup Clio, no problems, a 200 Lux EDC Clio, had a gearbox ECU failure at 90k miles and then carried-on fine to 120k, a 220 Trophy Clio, no problems (at 70k miles). So I personally don't accept this inaccurate talk of Renault unreliability.

[@saifulbhuiyan7080]

Imagine if camisa did this video

[@PepeLePew-c4z]

Where did you drive this, Henry? Abrilliant road!

[@danielmaia3559]

Alpine should’ve made a manual version of it long time ago Plus a Dakar lifted version of it

[@papa-mobile4025]

A Marrakesh rather than a Dakar, but yes, that's a good idea ! or an Acropolis too !!!!

[@gaycha6589]

Great video and car. Can’t help thinking that at £90k, it’s pushing the limits for a 4 pot turbo

[@ThePilotGear]

good god. I'll keep moaning about not having access to such a perfect lightweight tactile driver's sport car here in Canada. Seems like the perfect A110 would be an A110S with those beatiful and light carbon R wheels. I still think a manual gearbox would have been a step further in engagement.

[@TML34]

No rear window without a rearview mirror camera is preposterous. And stiffer suspension in a road car just isn't worth the 1% of time you're on a perfectly smooth road. I'll take the regular A110, thanks.

[@thewaldfe9763]

I'd also go for the regular or the GT

[@scottjohnson4319]

Harry really adds some value to the team here. Sure hope he stays a while...

[@ChristopherKose]

Amazing car, fantastic presenter, but that farting exhaust is just too much for me. Does it really need to pop and toot on every overrun? 😂

[@hellospaceman]

yeah it was incredibly distracting hearing that throughout the video

[@ChristopherKose]

@@hellospaceman glad it wasn’t just me! At first I thought they had a loose camera mount or something banging around in the cabin.

[@Jon-em4kc]

Yes! Came for this comment. Obviously it's to keep the 18 year olds happy. Bloody annoying if you ask me.

[@ChristopherKose]

@@Jon-em4kc 🤣😂

[@99unclebob]

Great video Henry, A110R is a nice car, a Cayman is a better choice in my thoughts and for not a world of difference in money, and probably 150 kgs heavy , they could use to do some upgrades on that 1.8 T or maybe bump up the displacement and give its better exhaust note 👍

[@DavidsDriving]

The price obviously always depends on the model. But in general the Alpines cost less and don't loose value (of course a GT4RS also doesn't) The weight difference is more like 350kg, so it really drives like a different car. Just try them both, if you get the chance and decide what you prefer

[@Crackonupwards]

S = Sport R = Racing T = Turbo

[@augustortiz]

I like it a lot but 97k is crazy. You could get an A110s well beyond this level of weight reduction and much more power for much less money. First Renault with the Trophy R at 74k and now this car.