1972 Alpine-Renault A110 1600S (v0.5)

The 1972 Alpine A110 1600S “Berlinette” is a study in minimalism: a rear-mounted 1.6 L Renault-Gordini SOHC four-cylinder, bolted to a five-speed manual gearbox and tipping the scales at just shy of 650 kg. Its tubular space-frame chassis and glass-fibre body aren’t flashy, but they allowed the A110 to sprint to 215 km/h and carve switchbacks with surgical precision, and surely allowed the Renault team to win the 1971 Constructors' Championship in Group 4.

Under the skin, the A110’s suspension—double wishbones up front and a swing-axle setup at the rear—was tuned for maximum feedback rather than outright comfort. With a roughly 60R/40F weight distribution and a curb weight that modern sports cars can only dream of, every single bump is surgically communicated through the wheel, the pedals and even the slender glass-fibre panels.

Critically, the 1600S’s modest power and delicate construction expose its limits on long straights and under hard knocks—its light shell can feel fragile compared to today’s bomb-proof composites, and the lack of electronic aids makes it a handful if you overcook a corner. But those very “flaws” are what give it character: you can sense the chassis flex, hear the engine strain, and feel the balance shift in ways no heavier, more complex machine ever allows.

Driving the A110 1600S today is less about chasing lap-time glory and more about reawakening a lost philosophy: that ultimate performance springs from restraint, mechanical honesty and a relentless focus on driver connection. This means trading downforce for fineness of touch and raw engagement—the true rally spirit, distilled.

-Niney