Alpine revealed a new safari concept version of its critically acclaimed A110 sports car yesterday called the A110 SportsX. The concept is a throwback to the original A110 rally car from the 1970s, sporting some off-road-minded upgrades, a unique fascia design, and a rear window-mounted ski rack. We’re very into it.
Alpine says the SportsX’s upgrades were inspired by the automaker’s win at the 1973 Monte Carlo rally. A bespoke suspension brings the ride height up by 2.3 inches, and wider body panels expand the car’s width by 3.1 inches. There’s also a more rugged fascia, a two-tone paint job, visible underbody protection, and a set of meaty Michelin Primacy tires.
The car is based on an A110 pure model. That means 249 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque from a mid-mounted turbocharged inline-four, sending power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Normally, the car can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 4.5 seconds, though we bet that number is a bit higher in the SportsX thanks to the added equipment and extra drag. Not that we mind.
Sadly, Renault has already said this car will not be added as a new trim in the A110’s lineup, meaning it’ll remain a one-off for the foreseeable future. If you desperately need to fulfill your A110 rally needs (and live in Europe), remember, the company currently makes a factory rally car meant to compete in GT4 classes.
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