Although not yet available outside Europe, the brand-new Alpine A110 is slowly developing into a full-size lineup. Available in standard and Premier guise at first, it gained a race-spec Cup model after the official launch. Now, Alpine is adding three more models to the family, all of which are on display at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The French firm is expanding the lineup with the A110 Legende, a trim that adds refinement and everyday usability, and A110 Pure, described as the most driver-focused version. More importantly, Alpine also launched a GT4-spec version of the car for international racing.

Developed and built by Signatech, Alpine's motorsport partner in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the A110 GT4 will enable the French brand to extend its motorsport efforts. Alpine is famous for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 and the World Rally Championship teams’ title in 1973, and it continues to race in the LMP2 FIA World Endurance Championship, winning the series in 2016. The GT4 model is built on the specification of the A110 Cup with more power and enhanced aerodynamic downforce, making it the ultimate version of the A110.

As it is the case with race-spec models, the A110 GT4 has a more aggressive stance. The front fascia gained a big splitter for enhanced aerodynamics, as well as a wider grille and a carbon-fiber lid. The foglamps are marked with the traditional "X" tape. The sides didn't change much outside the extended side skirts, but the car sits lower and rides on lightweight wheels wrapped in motorsport tires. The rear looks as hot as they get, though, thanks to a big carbon-fiber wing, a carbon spoiler, and a redesigned diffuser with a big exhaust pipe in the middle.

The cabin retains all of the production model's features, including the air conditioning system, but gains a full roll cage, a fire extinguisher, and a six-point harness system for the race-spec seat.

Under the rear glass lurks the 1.8-liter four-cylinder from the road-legal model, but extensive engine upgrades increase output to "yet unseen levels." There's no specific word on power and torque, but Alpine says that the car has a power-to-weight ratio of 312 horsepower per tonne, sitting at the very limit permitted by GT4 regulations. The revised engine mates to a sequential gearbox and is backed by race-spec springs and dampers, and Brembo brakes.

The new A110 GT4 is eligible for the SRO European GT4 Series, the international Creventic 24-Hour series and many one-off races such as the Spa 24 Hours. The race coupe will go into production in time for the 2019 motorsport season.

References

Alpine A110

Read our full review on the 2017 Renault Alpine A110.

Read more Renault news.

Read more Geneva Motor Show news.