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Get in the fast lane with this two-seater sport coupe
The next time you spot a sleek yet unfamiliar sports car on the road, it's likely an Alpine A110 zipping through our streets. There are only a handful of the French coupe in our city-state as discerning car enthusiasts strive to get their hands on a model, and it's no secret why with its promise of a thrilling drive and retro-style design—sure to turn heads of curious onlookers and motorheads alike.
First founded in 1955, the French car maker comes tagged with a storied history. It first wowed the racing crowds during the Monte Carlo Rally of 1971 with its A110 Berlinette before the same model went on to win the World Rally Championships in 1973. Following that was the glorious victory of the A442B at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1978. Together, they contribute to the brand's prestige in the automotive world, producing sports and race cars best known for their agility, compactness and dynamic performance on the roads.
Today, it has transformed into a full-fledged brand with an anticipated line-up of sports SUVs, sports hatches and electric cars yet to unveil. In our city-state alone, fans of the brand can look forward to the newly rebranded Alpine F1 Team slated to participate in this year's Formula One World Championship (helmed by ace racing drivers Fernando Alonso and Estaban Ocon) and an A480 hypercar entry at the upcoming 89th Le Mans races.
First impressions matter, and although the Alpine Légende A110 seems compact—almost pocket-sized upon first look—don't let its stature fool you. Measuring almost 4-metres long, it is small yet mighty, with a top-notch performance to match: armed with a four-cylinder 1.8L turbocharged mid engine, it only takes a mere 4.5s to get from 0 to 100km/h and can reach a top speed of 250km/h effortlessly. The seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox also delivers power instantly to the real wheels where gearshifts become almost instantaneous offering drivers a thrilling experience on the roads.
Motorheads will also be thrilled to find the orange "sport" button located on the bottom right of the steering wheel, a fun activation that activates the sport exhaust system for the engine to bubble louder as you rev the car and accelerate on the highway.
A quick spin in the A110 Légende and one will come to the conclusion that it's a electrifying drive to say that least. Of the three A110 models, the Légende is designed to embody all that a grand tourer has to offer that's suited for everyday use as well. For manual drivers who wish for a more engaging experience, fret not, as the aluminium paddles on the steering column gives you manual control over the seven-speed gearbox.