Alpine Leaves Door Open for Gasoline Version of Next-Generation A110

Alpine is developing an electric successor to its A110 sports car, yet the French brand is not entirely closing the door on internal combustion engines. Speaking with Top Gear magazine, Alpine's UK managing director Nicola Burnside confirmed that the company has not ruled out equipping the next-generation A110 with a gasoline powertrain. This flexibility is made possible by the new Alpine Performance Platform (APP), which is engineered to support multiple propulsion types.

Despite this possibility, a gasoline-powered variant is not currently in development, and the Renault-owned automaker remains fully committed to launching the next A110 as an electric vehicle first. Burnside emphasized that the outgoing A110 set a high benchmark, meaning any successor—whether electric or combustion-powered—must take the driving experience a step further rather than simply reusing the old engine.

The upcoming electric A110 will utilize an aluminum-intensive APP chassis featuring double-wishbone suspension and an unconventional split-battery layout. Instead of mounting a flat battery pack beneath the cabin floor or placing the entire pack behind the driver like Porsche's upcoming electric 718 Boxster and Cayman, Alpine engineers divided the battery into front and rear sections. This configuration preserves a low seating position while helping the company target a curb weight under 1,500 kilograms (3,307 pounds). Rear-wheel drive will serve as the primary layout, though the modular platform can also accommodate a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, various battery sizes, and multiple body styles.

Adapting the APP architecture for a conventional engine, transmission, and fuel tank would require relatively minor modifications. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief previously noted that offering a combustion derivative could assist the brand in expanding into markets where electric sports cars face slower adoption, particularly the United States.

Alpine's flexible approach contrasts with Porsche's recent strategy. While the German automaker previously considered bringing back combustion engines for top-tier versions of the next-generation 718 Boxster and Cayman, it ultimately confirmed that both models, along with their mechanically related Audi targa counterpart, will be exclusively electric.