A highly modified version of the Alpine A110 has been created by the French brand to take on the toughest hill climb, Pikes Peak.
Alpine have their sets firmly on the American hill climb known as Pikes Peak, and they’re planning to do it a rather insane looking A110 that’s been modified to the hills and back (no pun intended… ok maybe there was). Still, big wings, splitters, skirts and even some F1 style alloys are what Alpine are employing to tackle this gruesome run.
The Pikes Peak Hill Climb, often called the Race to the Clouds is 12 and a half mile track that twists up the side of a mountain in Colorado Springs which is in… well, Colorado. It’s been held every year since 1916 and has an elevation change of 4,300 metres in under 8 minutes if you’re driving the current champion VW ID.R which did it in 7:57.148.
Anyway, that’s the race, which has transitioned from being a dirt road to a full tarmac race. As such, that means faster cars and a greater focus on downforce as they can utilise the added grip on the black stuff. So, Alpine have taken their latest A110R and given it a rather healthy bump in power, up to 500bhp. That’s pretty significant a car that weighs less than a pair of Converse. 950kg to be exact.
The standard R is already a featherweight at 1,082kg, but the use of carbon fibre, a diet to the interior and other lightweight materials have helped achieve this. The massive rear wing, skirts and splitter have all been forged from the carbon fibre goodness, as has that ram air intake located on the top of the car – which funnels copious amounts of air into that dinky 1.7 litre, turbocharged four banger.
“The A110 Pikes Peak brings out the wildest side of this iconic car. It is agile and light by design, but with its specific aerodynamics and extreme proportions, it has become a genuine racing beast. This legendary event was an endless source of inspiration to push our creativity and enhance the A110 while integrating the constraints associated with performance. This project was completed in a decidedly short timeframe, thanks to the close collaboration with Signatech’s technical teams. We look forward to seeing our creation challenge the American powerhouses on their home turf. I want to thank Jun Okazaki and Victor Sfiazof, the two designers who worked with me on the design of this car. Not to mention the great collaboration with the Signatech team, who are as skilled as they are passionate.”
Raphaël Linari, Alpine Chief Designer
25th of June is when it all kicks off, so good luck from Auto House, Alpine!
[…] Lia Block, who is the daughter of Gymkhana and Hoonigan stuntman, Ken Block has announced she’ll race the 1,400bhp Hoonipigasus at Pikes Peak. […]