Alpine has partnered with the Argentinian artist Felipe Pantone to produce a limited edition A110 S art car.
The pair plan to produce four examples, of which just three will be available to buy. They won’t come cheap, though, with each costing a staggering €125,000 (around AUD$195,000). For comparison, prices for the standard Alpine A110 start at $101,000.
Each special edition A110 S features a hand-painted red, white and blue graphic that follows the contours of the car’s body. Alpine says the graphic was designed to give the “impression of speed, even when the car stands still.”
As they’re all hand-painted, the three cars’ graphics will differ slightly. Pantone will even add a range of unique embellishments to each model, meaning every example will be bespoke. Alpine also says the painting process takes several weeks to complete.
Each art car is based on the Alpine A110 S, which means they’re powered by the brand’s most potent powertrain. The turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine generates 215kW and 320Nm, which Alpine says is enough for a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 260km/h.
The engine sends drive to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox and, as this is the S model, buyers also get a few performance-focussed chassis tweaks, such as stiffer anti-roll bars, lower suspension, specially tuned dampers and grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Not that you’d ever want to drive it in anger, though, for fear of getting a stone-chip.
Pantone explained his vision for the project, saying: “My idea regarding the work on the A110 is to evoke a sense of “ultradynamism.” Visual speed is something that I have been investigating for years now and I feel it really comes together on this car, emphasising its brilliant design with a fast, technological look.”
Luke Wilkinson
