If you've never heard of the Alpine A110, it's France's answer to the Porsche 718 Cayman and Toyota GR Supra. Those are serious little sports coupes, but then so is the Alpine. The standard A110 is already a spectacular driving tool, but Alpine recently turned up the wick and introduced the A110 R - a stripped-out, focused iteration that can hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds.
But if you want an even more exclusive motorcar, Alpine is producing just 32 examples of the A110 R Fernando Alonso. Named for the brand's Formula 1 race car driver, the automaker says the limited edition has "unique on-track sensations" and has benefited from Alonso's expertise as a two-time World Champion.
All 32 units of the ultra-rare Fernando Alonso edition will be painted in Racing Matte Blue, a color usually reserved for the Formula 1 A522 racer. While the regular A110 R sports a full carbon fiber hood and liftgate, the special edition model receives partially painted panels finished in Racing Matte Blue.
At the rear, you'll find a black-painted fascia with a marked graphic design. Additional subtle details include black spoiler support columns, and a rear shield finished in the same hue. Orange brake calipers can be spotted through the eight-spoke wheels; Alpine says this is a nod to Alonso's historic colors.
Speaking of the wheels, there's a fine gray outline on the edge of the rims. Elsewhere, the French flag on the C-pillar has been replaced with the Spanish driver's signature colors. Lastly, a varnish-protected 'Fernando Alonso' signature lends that extra bit of exclusivity.
Aside from that, Alpine doesn't give any additional details about the French rarity. Therefore, it's safe to assume the Fernando Alonso edition gains motivation from the same 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower. That startlingly quick acceleration is down to the ridiculously low curb weight - the Alpine A110 R weighs a mere 2,385 pounds.
But, for Alpine, the reveal of this limited edition could not have come at a worse time. In August, Fernando Alonso announced he will leave Alpine F1 for the grandeur and prestige of the Aston Martin fold. It must be quite a sore point for Alpine, but the development of this special edition was, most likely, in the pipeline for quite some time. Still, it's a nice symbolic parting gift for the driver.
The 41-year-old will join the British team for the 2023 season, replacing now-retired Sebastian Vettel. "No one in Formula One today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me," said Alonso at the time.
Still, 32 lucky buyers will be able to revel in the patented suspension system of this special 110 R that Alpine says has been fine-tuned by Alonso himself. So, why is Alpine making just 32 examples? Well, that's simple - to celebrate the Spaniard's 32 Formula 1 wins over his illustrious career.
This isn't the first time an automaker has made an exclusive sports car to celebrate an F1 driver. Previously, McLaren created just three Daniel Ricciardo-inspired 720S models, available only in his home country, Australia.