Compromised Internals

Overview Specs Highlights Characteristics

Overview

The Alpine A110 1600, developed by Jean Rédélé’s Dieppe-based Alpine company, emerged as a dominant force in rallying thanks to its incredibly light construction and rear-engine design. Based on Renault mechanicals but built with motorsport in mind, the A110 evolved through the 1960s and came into its prime in the early 1970s. The 1600 variant became a legend when it carried Alpine-Renault to the very first WRC manufacturers’ title in 1973. Agile, stylish, and devastatingly quick on tarmac, it became a French national treasure in motorsport history.

Technical Specs & Innovations

With its extremely low weight and favorable weight distribution, the A110 could dart through corners with uncanny precision. It excelled in tight, technical stages where finesse mattered more than brute force.

🏆 Competitive Highlights

1971 Monte Carlo Rally: Alpine claims victory with Ove Andersson at the wheel.
1973 WRC Season: Alpine wins the inaugural WRC manufacturers’ title with dominant performances across Europe.
Multiple tarmac wins: Especially strong in France, Spain, and Italy thanks to its light weight and agile setup.

The A110 was at its best on twisty mountain passes and dry tarmac roads, where its nimbleness and rear-engine traction left heavier cars behind. It was one of the most successful rally cars of its era before four-wheel drive emerged.

Driving Characteristics

Driving the A110 required skill and confidence — its rear-engine bias could lead to oversteer if pushed too hard. But in capable hands, it danced through corners with precision and style. The ultra-light chassis made it responsive to the smallest inputs, rewarding smooth and technical drivers.

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