The year 2026 marks a poignant, exhilarating moment for Alpine and its modern flagship, the A110. As the brand accelerates toward an all-electric future, the 2026 Alpine A110 R Ultime is rolled out as the final, most extreme, and most exclusive road-going iteration of the beloved mid-engined coupé. Limited to a symbolic run of just 110 units, the Ultime is not merely a special edition; it is a definitive statement, a road-legal circuit car that pushes the A110’s core philosophy of lightness and agility to its absolute limit, concluding a remarkable chapter in French sports car history.
The Ultimate Expression of Performance
The A110 R Ultime is born from the critical acclaim of the A110 R, but with the volume turned up to maximum. Alpine engineers drew heavily on their expertise from high-level racing, particularly the GT4 series, to create a machine focused on unadulterated track performance that is still street-legal.
At its heart remains the familiar turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, but it is substantially reworked for the Ultime. Power is boosted to 345 hp (in RON 102 fuel), with peak torque hitting 420 Nm from just 3,200 rpm—a significant 80 Nm increase over the standard A110 R Turini. This extra oomph is facilitated by a modified turbocharger and a new DW6 gearbox optimized for the higher torque. The effect on acceleration is immediate and brutal: the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is dispatched in a scant 3.8 seconds, a tenth faster than the already rapid A110 R.
However, the true magic of the Ultime isn't its straight-line speed; it’s the astonishing power-to-weight ratio of 3.2 kg/hp, a testament to Alpine’s unwavering commitment to shedding mass. This lightness, combined with the power boost, transforms the driving experience. On the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Ultime proved its superiority, clocking a lap time a breathtaking 20 seconds faster than the A110 R, a monumental improvement that speaks volumes about the holistic engineering approach.
Aerodynamics and Chassis: A Track Weapon
The Ultime’s heightened track prowess is largely thanks to a complete overhaul of its aerodynamics and chassis. Drawing inspiration from Formula 1 development, the Ultime generates an extra 160 kg of downforce at Vmax compared to the A110 R Turini, turning the car into an arrow-sharp cornering machine.
Key aerodynamic modifications include:
Optimised Front End: A revised front bonnet with heat exchangers oriented upwards and fins to guide airflow to the rear, plus a flexible blade under the front splitter.
Carbon Fibre Everywhere: Lightweight materials, including a carbon bonnet, roof, rear window, and side skirts, maintain the low curb weight (around 1,104 kg).
Aggressive Rear: A prominent rear ducktail and a redesigned double-flap rear wing with specific end plates work together. Crucially, the wing is four-way adjustable (0, +2, +4, +6 degrees) allowing owners to fine-tune downforce versus drag for specific circuits, such as the Nürburgring.
Beneath the carbon skin, the chassis has been sharpened to perfection. It features Öhlins adjustable dampers, a bespoke braking system with large 330mm AP Racing bi-material discs, high-performance pads, and improved cooling ducts. This competition-grade hardware ensures impeccable road-holding and fade-free stopping power. The staggered wheel setup—18-inch forged wheels up front and 19-inch at the rear, shod in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres—translates every horsepower and steering input into immediate forward momentum and grip.
The result is a driving experience that is hyper-precise and incredibly immersive. On the track, the Ultime is reported to be ultra-high-performance, agile on corner entry, and utterly confident under high lateral loads, making it feel less like a souped-up sports car and more like a purebred racer.
Bespoke Craftsmanship and Exclusivity
The "Ultime" designation is not just about speed; it signifies the pinnacle of Alpine’s craftsmanship and exclusivity. The car is assembled at the historic Jean Rédélé Alpine plant in Dieppe and is limited to just 110 examples globally.
Adding another layer of exclusivity is the Atelier Sur-Mesure (Bespoke Workshop) program. For the first time, Alpine has elevated customer personalisation to a co-creation process, in partnership with premium leather specialist Poltrona Frau®.
The bespoke options are lavish:
Exterior: A choice of 27 body colors is available in the first-tier Atelier package, with even more options for the carbon elements under the Sur-Mesure program.
Interior: Customers can select from a wide palette of interior finishes, including 14 shades of Alcantara® upholstery and, for the first time, 10 shades of premium leather. Details like steering wheel stitching, door decorations, and the Sabelt bucket seats can all be uniquely harmonized.
A prime example of this extreme personalisation is the stunning "La Bleue" configuration, limited to just 15 units. This model features a hand-crafted gradient exterior, a fusion of Alpine Vision Blue and Abysse Blue, complemented by a unique Poltrona Frau® and Sabelt blue leather interior.
Verdict: A Glorious Analogue Swan Song
The 2026 Alpine A110 R Ultime is a glorious, defiant farewell to the petrol-powered A110. In an era where sports cars increasingly rely on complex hybrid systems and ever-larger engines, the Ultime doubles down on the classic recipe: minimum weight, maximum agility. It stands as a powerful argument for the visceral thrill of a perfectly balanced, lightweight car.
While the price tag—starting at a significant premium over the standard A110 R—places it in the territory of established supercar rivals, the Ultime offers something fundamentally different. It's not just a fast car; it's a testament to French savoir-faire and a collector’s item that marks the end of an iconic automotive era. For the enthusiast seeking the purest, most undiluted driving pleasure wrapped in exclusive, bespoke French elegance, the A110 R Ultime is the ultimate answer. It's a car that will undoubtedly make its mark on the history of French sports cars before the electric revolution truly takes hold.
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