Performance Review: Alpine A110 1300 - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alpine A110 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alpine A110 1300 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Alpine A110 has a 1296cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The A110 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A110's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 625 kgs (1377 lbs) this makes the Alpine A110 1300 in the same weight category as the give or take 50kg.

The Alpine A110 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1296cc 8V St4 engine produces 118 bhp (87 kW) @ 7200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 90 lb-ft (122.0 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alpine A110 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (213.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alpine A110.

The Alpine A110 has a Power to weight ratio of 188.8 bhp per ton and 144.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 A110 competing with the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (213.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Lotus Exige S2 1.8 (213.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alpine A110 generating around 144.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (169.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (168.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.4 secs, this made the Alpine A110 1300 as fast as the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the or the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs). This Alpine A110 1300 is also faster than the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (9.20 secs) the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (9.20 secs) the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (9.20 secs) the and the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (9.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A110 and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG

When talking about the performance of the Alpine A110 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.55 secs @ 94.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG (14.49 secs), the 2007 Honda S2000 2.2 Type S (14.50 secs), and the 2011 Ford Focus Wagon ST (14.50 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Alpine A110 1300 has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 A110 equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

1968 A110 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alpine

Car Comparison