Life after Cayman - My 2021 Alpine A110 Legende GT.

[Brian_Innes]

With the rear glass raised and propped, access is easy to the quarter turn fasteners securing the engine cover. The twin engine compartment cooling extraction fans are located beneath the black grill.

 

[Brian_Innes]

The engine and gearbox unit exposed, giving access to the oil dipstick and filler cap coloured yellow. The twin coolant reservoirs also accessible.

 

[Brian_Innes]

The turbo unit installation with heat shield, and the o/s driveshaft below.

 

[Brian_Innes]

The turbo boost pressure pipe, charge intercooler, and inlet induction pipe.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Turbo intercooler and induction pipes.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Can't think what this black pipe is for. No sign of any feature inside the cabin bulkhead.

Any ideas?

 

[Brian_Innes]

Discovery. Only the driver's side air intake is operational. The air intake on the passengers side is blanked off.

 

[Motorhead]

Can't think what this black pipe is for. No sign of any feature inside the cabin bulkhead.

Any ideas?

Some sort of intake sound augmentation for the cabin maybe Brian?

Everything neatly packaged and accessible. As you say, a much simpler task than on the 981 and 718, although 987 access isn’t too difficult.

Did you see my post #42 with a link to the Life110 site showing the quick-release kit for the engine cover? If the standard fasteners are plastic their offering could be more durable if you’re accessing the area on a regular basis.

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

Jeff,

I did wonder if the black pipe linked to the induction tract had an acoustic purpose. Inside the cabin the Focal sound system woofer speaker is the only visible attachment on the passengers side rear bulkhead. Could this perhaps be linked to the induction system. If so, when the running-in is completed, the induction roar should be mind blowing!

Brian

PS. Please post me the link to the engine cover fasteners mod again. Thanks.

 

[Motorhead]

Here’s the link Brian:

https://life110.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/life110-quick-release-engine-cover-fixings

The fixings look to be quite robust.

On the subject of intake sound augmentation, usually a branch is taken from the intake pipe to a diaphragm on the bulkhead … it’s just a sound pipe. I think Porsche did it on the 991 and perhaps it’s still in use on the 992 but other manufacturers, Ford included (and maybe Renault too?), also use the method, and it’s a robust and reliable device. However manufacturers are now employing the sound system itself to do the job, some like Jaguar very successfully and others like BMW less so … although they’re learning!

The boss in your picture could well contain the diaphragm. I can’t see any electrical connections which would indicate that it’s a sensor of some kind but really I’m just guessing and probably wide of the mark. I’d be interested to know if you find out.

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

Thanks Jeff. I shall make enquires regarding the cabin engine sound augmentation. So far, driving mainly in Normal mode, I am not aware of any amplified induction roar in the cabin. Perhaps after the running-in is completed and I deploy Sport and Track modes this feature will become more obtrusive.

On this topic, I can't help thinking back to my days owning the Lotus Elan SE Coupe with its throaty twin Weber induction roar on full throttle. It was a huge part of the character of the car. This wonderful induction sound was audible to all, both inside and outside the cabin. No need for sophisticated electronic acoustics back then.

Thanks also for the link on the engine cover fixings.

Brian

 

[AndrewT]

Can't think what this black pipe is for. No sign of any feature inside the cabin bulkhead.

Any ideas?

I think that Jeff's theory is right, I just found this description "It’s quite throaty and angry at mid to high revs, with the aural experience enhanced by a sound tube that pipes noise from the airbox into the cabin through a hole in the bulkhead." on this website https://www.carthrottle.com/post/6-things-i-learned-from-a-passenger-ride-in-the-new-alpine-a110/.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Andrew,

Thank you for the info. I'll check this feature out properly when the running-in is completed.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

I'm getting more acquainted with the A110 as the seat time progresses. Still at phase 1 of the running-in process, so revs are being held in check.

Following my comments on the fidgety ride on the A939 route, Andrew T suggested lowering the tyre pressures a little. After re-checking the pressures I discovered they were indeed on the Eco settings, which are the highest inflation pressures of the three variations displayed on the door pillar plaque. I've since readjusted the tyre pressures to the touring settings which are 5psi-6psi lower than the firmer Eco pressures. This seems to have made a slight improvement to the ride quality over ripples and bumps on the road surface. The A110 in the Legende GT spec is still a firm ride, comparing very similarly to my previous 718 2.5t GTS in Sport chassis setting.

I'm liking the seats. They are very comfortable for my frame and offer good support in all the important places. I particularly like the leather loop which anchors the seat belt to the seat back. This makes reaching for the seat belt when seated in the car a very convenient process. This feature also removes that annoying rattle the seat belt buckle makes on the seat frame which afflicts the Cayman when the passenger seat is unoccupied. To alleviate this I used to fasten the passenger seat belt on the empty seat.

The engine bay cooling fans run for at least 5 minutes after switching off the engine. The twin fans blow cooling air into the engine bay directly onto the turbo from the grill beneath the rear window. I could feel the hot air being extracted out of the driver's side air duct. This raises the question why the passengers side air duct is blanked off. I would have thought it natural to have both side air ducts operational to aid extraction of hot air when the cooling fans are on, and also to allow more air into the engine bay.

The Getrag DSC gearbox in manual is good. Crisp paddle action, and with nice short, close ratios. Suits the light A110 very well. It'll be quick off the mark when fully run-in. I can feel it already: like a Jack Russell terrier rocketing off after a thrown ball.

Brian

Recommend tyre pressures for the A110.

 

[Brian_Innes]

The seats are superb. Excellent support in all the right places. 6-way adjustable.

The loop mooring the seat belt to the seat back is very much appreciated.

 

[Brian_Innes]

When selecting Manual mode while in Auto, press the D button. The light surrounding the button changes colour from white to blue.

To deselect Manual, press D again. I'm getting to like the buttons. Quicker and easier to use than a central gear stick.

Brian

 

[kitchens]

Reading your story with interest ..on the way back from a car meet on Sunday I popped into the local Alpine dealer Arnold Clark in Linwood next to Glasgow airport ,sitting in the showroom was a stunning A110 Pure in Blue the sales guy Hugh gave me look round and invite me to have a seat inside ,the first thing I found the seats where a tad difficult to get into and very huggee for my 12st frame and being only 5.8 found the view over the bonnet a bit restricted ,but was told they can adjust them to suite at the dealership as there are 3 settings ,the cabin was nice to sit in all controls at hand .I was asked to try out the Legende S to see if the seats fitted better as they have 6 way adjusters which where a lot more comfortable but I preferred the look of the Pure seats and it had the 17"wheels 10spoke alloys in silver, and the 18" Fuchs are available at extra £930 .As I was just looking did not want to waste the guys time ,but he said he can arrange a test drive any time ,they are getting the Alpine F1 car in next Sunday so may pop over and have another look .I did mention I knew some one who bought the Gt and they has a Silver one in the workshop being prepped . Did notice in the sales book special precautions and maintenance procedures on the Thunder Grey paintwork as you mentioned in your write up ...if buying defo the Alpine Blue one for me .Enjoying your write ups.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Brian,

Thank you for the info on the Arnold Clark Alpine stock at Linwood. Interesting reading your comments.

For my frame the Sports Comfort Legend GT seats are perfect. Comfort trumps looks for me as I do touring now rather than track days. The height adjustments are ideal for achieving that all-important view of each front corner. The view over the A110 bonnet is not as good as on the 718 Cayman, the front wings of which were in clear vision from the driver's seat enabling precision placing of the car on both road and track.

I chose the Mercury Silver Matt paint as as an alternative to blue, as most Alpines were in this colour. I'm being very attentive to taking care of the matt paint. I'll avoid parking under trees for the time being until I can source a suitable protective paint treatment.

Thank for your interest Brian. I'm finding the car attracts much positive comment from both casual observers and car enthusiasts alike. The rarity aspect is also commented upon.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

The Renault switchgear on the A110 is often a matter of criticism by presenters on You Tube reviews. As if this matters, is what I say.

Personally I couldn't give a monkey's where the switchgear is sourced from, as long as it has a nice action and is conveniently placed. The stalks on the right side of the A110 are ideal for me. My right hand disability limits the dexterity of my fingers, but I find the audio volume controls on the chunky lower stalk very easy to work, as are the push buttons on the end of the upper stalk. The larger fixed gear change paddles are also ideal for me. The paddles being longer and curved, mean I can more easily deploy all four fingers to change up a gear. On the Cayman the gear shift paddles are much smaller and attached to the steering wheel. Consequently, I had to consciously alter my grip on the steering wheel to work the right hand paddle effectively, particularly when turning the steering wheel. This is the sort of detail that only becomes fully apparent after a few hundred miles of taking ownership and getting acquainted with the car. The more I drive it, the more I like it.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

A couple of photos from Burghead on the Moray Coast today.

This shot shows the hindquarters of the A110 to best advantage.

In the flesh it looks very different from the photo perception, which are apt to make the car look very short.

I like the clean shape of the tailgate section. No token aerofoils to spoil the lines. On the A110, the diffuser does all the work.

Brian