Since announcing its entry in one of the world’s most iconic hill climbs, Alpine and Signatech have kept working hard behind the scenes to meet the challenge that awaits them on 25 June 2023. Designed to cope with the subtleties of the 19.93 km race to the clouds, the Alpine A110 Pikes Peak is a true masterpiece of aerodynamics and engine design to meet the challenge of Pikes Peak. Thanks to a close and fruitful collaboration among the Alpine design office teams led by Raphaël Linari (design manager) and those of Signatech led by Lionel Chevalier (technical director) and François Letort (project manager), the car, the most extreme A110 to date, has been converted into a formidable racing machine.
Among the most impressive features are the intensely pronounced splitters and deflectors on the ends of the spoiler, not to mention the imposing rear wing to generate downforce in the 156 corners of the course. The radical work done on the Alpine A110R also appears via the side skirts and diffuser of this one-off model, while an inlet appears on the roof to force air into the engine, resulting in nearly 500 horsepower. Specific work has also been done to reduce the car’s weight to only 950 kilograms.
The Alpine designers have thus fully embraced their choice of extremes, demonstration, and visual impact while maintaining some original proportions to ensure the car remains eligible for the Time Attack 1 category, which is depicted in the inclusion of a ‘Le Mans-style’ shark fin on the rear window that literally cut through the massive rear wing.
The lights have also received more aggressive treatment. Two exceedingly thin laser-cut bars replace the two circles at the front. Meanwhile, the light functions of the rear lights have been shifted into three vertical segments on the side rails and central ridge, as a nod to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while also reinforcing the perceived width of the car, highlighted by other details such as bespoke wheels.
This unique Alpine will soon embark on its assault on the American peaks with the aim of breaking records. After its debut runs at Lurcy-Lévis on 25 and 26 April, the model will welcome its designated Pikes Peak driver, Raphaël Astier, who will get behind test the car in its final configuration for the first time next week.
2022 FIA R-GT Cup winner with the A110 Rally, Raphaël Astier will conduct a first session in the Drôme, then at Val Thorens. The Frenchman, who has already participated in the event four times, will then fly with the team to Colorado Springs, where they will work on their final preparations for 25 June 2023.
Raphaël Linari, Alpine Chief Designer
“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.”
François Letort, Alpine A110 Pikes Peak Project Manager
“The Alpine A110 Pikes Peak pushes the boundaries of our imagination, far beyond anything we could have envisioned in the early stages of the project. It was a pleasure to work with the Alpine design office, with whom we quickly moved in the same direction thanks to our in-house expertise and ability to be incredibly responsive. Our core business lies in this strength and we could also rely on a network of local suppliers and subcontractors who were attentive to our needs. The first two testing days went really smoothly. The Alpine A110 Pikes Peak met all its initial targets, which is a remarkable feat in such a short time. We are thus proud to unveil a spectacular model, both visually and in terms of its performance. All of us look forward to the legendary challenge that awaits us!”
