The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 is a new edition of the French sports car that celebrates its glorious past in rallying. It pays homage to the original Alpine A110 that won the Rallye Sanremo in Italy in 1973, driven by Jean-Luc Thérier and Christian Delferrier.
The new edition is based on the Alpine A110S, the most powerful and agile version of the modern A110. It features many exclusive details that evoke the spirit and livery of the 1973 rally car, such as:
- White exterior paint with blue and red stripes along the sides and hood.
- A carbon fiber roof with a large number 5 on it matches the rally car's number.
- A black leather interior with red stitching and San Remo 73 badges on the headrests and door sills.
- A plaque on the dashboard with the serial number of each of the 73 units that will be produced.
- A certificate of authenticity signed by Jean-Luc Thérier, who passed away in 2019.
The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 also comes with a special gift box that includes a scale model of the rally car, a book about Alpine's history in rallying, and a poster of the Rallye Sanremo.
The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 is more than just a cosmetic package, though. It also boasts some impressive performance figures, thanks to its 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 288 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 161 mph.
The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. The transmission can be operated manually via paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or automatically via a rotary knob on the center console.
The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 also has a lightweight aluminum chassis that weighs only 2,381 pounds, giving it a remarkable power-to-weight ratio of 8.3 pounds per horsepower. It also has a near-perfect weight distribution of 44/56 front/rear, which enhances its handling and agility.
The suspension system consists of double wishbones at both ends, which provide optimal wheel control and road feedback. The brakes are made of Brembo aluminum calipers with 320 mm discs at the front and 296 mm discs at the rear.
The steering is electrically assisted, but it still offers plenty of feel and precision. The driver can choose between three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Track. Each mode adjusts the throttle response, transmission behavior, steering weight, exhaust sound, stability control intervention, and digital instrument display.
The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 is not only fast and fun to drive but also comfortable and practical for everyday use. It has a spacious cockpit with two supportive bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a Focal sound system with four speakers, and a rearview camera.
It also has two cargo compartments: one in the front with 3.5 cubic feet of space and one in the rear with 3.9 cubic feet of space. That's enough room for two small suitcases or a set of golf clubs.
The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 is a limited edition that will be available only in Europe starting from June 2023. It will cost €74,900 ($90,000) in France, which is €10,000 ($12,000) more than the regular Alpine A110S.
However, considering its exclusivity, heritage, and performance, it might be worth every penny for those who appreciate a true driver's car that honors one of the most iconic rally cars of all time.
The Alpine A110 San Remo 73 is a testament to Alpine's passion for rallying and its ability to create beautiful and thrilling cars.
