Alpine A110 VS Aston Martin DBS
Alpine A110
Likes
- Dynamics
- Drivetrain
- Design
Dislikes
- Impractical
- Modest safety tech
- So-so warranty
Aston Martin DBS
Likes
- Immense performance
- Design and engineering
- Dynamics
Dislikes
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
- Rear seats barely viable
- No AEB
Summary
Alpine A110
Dieppe. A pretty seaside community on the northern French coast. Established a mere thousand years ago, it's copped a hammering in various conflicts, yet retained its beautiful 'marine promenade', a handy reputation for top-notch scallops, and for the last 50-odd years, one of the world's most respected performance carmakers.
Alpine, the brainchild of one Jean Rédélé - racing driver, motorsport innovator, and automotive entrepreneur - is still located on the southern edge of town.
Never officially imported into Australia, the brand is virtually unknown here to all but committed enthusiasts, with Alpine having an illustrious rally and sportscar racing back-story including victory in the 1973 World Rally Championship, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978.
Rédélé was always committed to Renault, with the French giant eventually buying his company in 1973, and continuing to produce brilliant, lightweight road and racing Alpines until 1995.
After a close to 20-year hibernation, Renault reanimated the brand in 2012 with the stunning A110-50 concept racing car, and then the two-seat, mid-engine machine you see here, the A110.
It's clearly inspired by the Alpine of the same name that wiped the rallying floor clean in the early 1970s. Question is, does this 21st century version build or bury that car's iconic reputation?
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.8L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.2L/100km |
| Seating | 2 seats |
Aston Martin DBS
In mid-2018, to coincide with its global launch, CarsGuide was invited to a hush-hush, behind-closed-doors preview of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera.
Hidden within a maze of black velvet drapes at a low-key, inner-city Sydney location sat the famous British brand’s new flagship, a stunning 2+2 GT with the performance, dynamics and luxurious quality to match its exotic looks and $500K+ price tag.
On that day, for whatever reason, I never thought the opportunity to steer it would come my way. But two years later, almost to the day, the key to this ‘Sabiro Blue’ beauty was mine.
The DBS Superleggera sits at the top performance coupe table, mixing it with Bentley, Ferrari, and Porsche’s finest. But maybe you already have one (or more) of those. Which begs the question, does this imposing V12 machine do enough to qualify for an extra space in your garage?
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 5.2L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 12.4L/100km |
| Seating | 4 seats |
Verdict
Alpine A1107.9/10
Don't let the overall score fool you. The Alpine A110 is an instant classic. While practicality, safety and ownership costs don't set the world on fire, it delivers a driving experience that makes everything right with the world every time you get behind the wheel.
Would you like an Alpine A110 in your toy box? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Aston Martin DBS8.1/10
The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is an instant classic, likely heading over a high-end auction block in years to come with a final price far higher than the 2020 ask. But don’t buy it as a collector's item, although it is a beautiful object. Buy it to enjoy. Stunningly fast, thoroughly engineered, and beautifully made, it’s a phenomenal car.
Design
Alpine A1109/10
The final example of the original Alpine A110 rolled out of the Dieppe plant in 1977, and despite more than four decades separating it from this newcomer, the 2019 A110 is effectively a new-generation version.
Much more than a tip of the hat to a special predecessor, the new A110 perfectly updates the distinctive, purposeful look of its not-so-ancient ancestor.
In fact, head of the A110 design team, Antony Villain says, "We wondered; if the A110 never went away, if this new car was the sixth or seventh generation A110, what would it look like?"
Appropriately finished in a very French shade of 'Alpine Blue', our test example was one of 60 'Australian Premiere Edition' cars, and the design is full of intriguing details.
At just under 4.2m long, 1.8m wide, and only a touch over 1.2m high the two-seat A110 is compact to say the least.
It's raked LED headlights and round fog lights are recessed into the markedly curved nose in a complete and unabashed reload, with circular LED DRLs accentuating the throwback effect.
The overall look of the carefully scalloped bonnet is also familiar, with a huge under-bumper grille and side ducts creating an air curtain along the front wheel wells to finish off the treatment with a focused, technical touch.
A steeply raked windscreen runs up to a small turret with a broad channel running down its entre, and the flanks are narrowed by a lengthy, aero-influenced indent.
A case study in tightly wrapped surfacing, the rear-end is equally taut, with elements like 'X-shaped' LED tail-lights, tightly curved rear screen, single central exhaust outlet and aggressive diffuser continuing the expressive design theme.
Aero efficiency is a major influence, and as well as the diffuser careful inspection of the rear side window reveals a neat duct at its trailing-edge funnelling air to the mid/rear-mounted engine, and the underbody is smoothed near flat. An overall drag co-efficient of 0.32 is impressive for such a small car.
The A110 also proudly wears its French heart on its sleeve, with an enamel version of Le Tricolore attached to the C-pillar (and various points around the interior).
Eighteen-inch Otto Fuchs forged alloy rims fit the car's style and proportions perfectly with body-colour matching blue brake calipers poking through the delicate split-spoke design.
The interior is all business with racy Sabelt one-piece bucket seats setting the tone. Trimmed in a combination of quilted leather and microfibre (which extends to the doors) they are separated by a floating, flying buttress-style console housing key controls above and a storage tray (including multi-media inputs) below.
Highlights include cool body-colour panels in the doors, a Ferrari-like push-button gear selection set-up, slender alloy manual shift paddles attached to the steering column (not the wheel), matt carbon-fibre accents on the console and around the circular air vents, and a 10.0-inch TFT digital instrument cluster (which morphs to suit Normal, Sport or Track modes).
The A110's chassis and body are made from aluminium, with a brushed form of that material adorning everything from the pedals and perforated passenger footrest to multiple dash trim pieces.
Quality and attention to detail is outstanding to the point that just getting in the car feels like a special occasion. Every time.
Aston Martin DBS9/10
The term Superleggera (Italian for Superlight) is normally associated with Italian automotive coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring, which has historically applied its fine eye and hand-crafted aluminium body technique to a host of local brands, including Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, and Maserati.
As well as some American, German, and British liaisons, the latter covering classic Aston Martin and Lagonda models through the 1950s and ‘60s (your Silver Birch DB5 is ready for you 007).
But rather than hand-beaten aluminium, here the body panel material is carbon-fibre, and the look and feel of this DBS is the product of Aston Martin’s head of design, Marek Reichman (his name might sound German, but he’s a Brit through-and-through), and his team at the brand’s Gaydon HQ.
Based on the DB11 platform the DBS is a fraction over 4.7m long, just under 2.0m wide, and less than 1.3m tall. But it’s only when you’re close to the Superleggera that its intimidating muscularity comes into focus.
A giant, black honeycomb grille defines the car’s face, and the single-piece forward-hinging ‘clamshell’ bonnet includes a raised central section defined by longitudinal strakes either side, with deep vents above the front axle line to aid the exhaust of hot air from the engine bay below.
Broad ‘shoulders’ around the front wheel arches are balanced by powerful rear haunches to give the car a beautifully proportioned and imposing stance. But there’s scientific function behind this purposeful form, too.
The Aston vehicle dynamics team went all out with wind tunnel testing, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling, aerothermal and performance simulations, as well as real-world track testing to refine this car’s aero efficiency.
The DBS Superleggera’s overall drag coefficient (Cd) is 0.38, which is commendably slippery for a brawny 2+2 GT. But it’s the fact that in parallel with that number it’s able to generate a humongous 180kg of downforce (at 340km/h VMax) that’s remarkable.
The aero trickery includes a front splitter and airdam working in unison to accelerate airflow under the front of the car, delivering downforce and cooling air to the front brakes.
From there the ‘open stirrup and curlicue’ device at the top of the front wheel wells vents air to reduce lift, and create vortices which reattach the aero wake from the front wheels to the side of the car.
The ‘C-Duct’ starts with an aperture behind the rear side glass funneling air through the underside of bootlid to a subtle ‘Aeroblade II’ spoiler at the rear of the car. A close to flat underside also feeds air to an F1-inspired double diffuser under the rear end.
No gaudy wings or giant spoilers, just a subtly effective and thoroughly engineered aero profile.
Slim but distinctively Aston Martin LED tail-lights combine with a series of horizontal character lines across the rear to enhance the car’s visual width, and giant 21-inch dark rims fit the car’s proportions perfectly.
Slipping behind the wheel is the full hand-in-leather glove experience. The broad dashtop is split by a vaguely teardrop shaped centre stack with the classic ‘PRND’ transmission buttons and an illuminated push-button starter in the centre.
The compact instrument binnacle, housing a configurable digital display, imparts a quiet sense of purpose, and the Mercedes-AMG sourced media system, complete with rotary control dial, feels familiar. Overall, simple, subtle, yet hugely impressive.
Practicality
Alpine A1106/10
Practicality is the oil to a two-seat sports car's water. If you want day-to-day functionality, look elsewhere. Quite rightly, the Alpine A110 puts driver engagement at the top of the priority list.
That said, with limited real estate to work with the car's development team has made it liveable, with a surprising amount of boot space included, and modest storage options snuck in around the cabin.
The heavily-bolstered, high-sided sports seats, necessitate use of the 'one hand on the A-pillar and swing in/out' technique for entry and exit, which won't suit everyone. And once inside several things are missing.
Glove box? No. If you need to refer to the owner's manual or grab the service book, they're housed in a small satchel attached to the bulkhead behind the driver's seat.
Door pockets? Forget it. Cupholders? Well, there's one, it's tiny, and located between the seats where only a double-joined circus contortionist could reach it.
There is a long storage bin under the centre console, which is helpful, although it's hard to reach in and actually extract things placed in it. Media inputs run to two USBs, an 'aux-in' and an SD card slot, but their location at the front of that lower storage area is tricky, and there's a 12-volt outlet just in front of the unreachable cupholder.
However, if you and a passenger want to head off on a weekend road trip, amazingly, you can take some luggage with you. With the engine located between the axles there's room for a 96-litre boot at the front and a 100-litre boot at the rear.
We managed to fit the middle (68-litre) hard suitcase from our three-piece set (35, 68 and 105 litres) in the broad but relatively shallow front boot, while the wider, deeper, but shorter rear boot is best for soft bags.
Another missing item is a spare tyre, with a neatly packaged repair/inflator kit your only option in the case of a puncture.
Aston Martin DBS7/10
The notion of practicality doesn’t naturally align with a 2+2 GT, but a wheelbase measuring 2805mm means there’s enough space between the axles to provide generous accommodation for front seat occupants at least.
And the usual compromises presented by long coupe doors are reduced by the DBS’s swinging slightly up as they open, and down as they close. A genuinely useful touch.
The driver and front seat passenger are snug but not cramped, which feels right in this context, and they’re provided with a lidded central box, which doubles as an armrest between the seats.
Flick the switch and its power-operated top slides back in stages to reveal two cupholders and a general storage space with a 12V power outlet, two USB-A ports, and an SD card input at the rear.
There’s a small coin tray in front of the multimedia dial in the centre console and long door pockets, but bottles will be a struggle unless you’re happy to lay them on their side.
The ‘+2’ seats scalloped out of the rear bulkhead, look super cool (especially with our car’s Triaxial quilt trim) but for anyone in the vicinity of average adult height they’ll feel distinctly inadequate.
Legs or a head aren’t viable options so this space is best reserved for the kids. And there are two 12V sockets in the rear to help keep their devices charged, and them calm.
Boot volume is a useful 368 litres, and the aperture curves forward at the top which helps with loading larger cases, but remember the rear seats don’t fold.
There are small lockers hidden in the back wall, one containing a flat tyre repair kit, so don’t bother looking for a spare of any description.
Price and features
Alpine A1107/10
At $106,500 before on-road costs the Alpine A110 Australian Premiere Edition competes with an interesting range of similarly specified lightweight two-seaters.
The first that springs to mind is the achingly beautiful, mid-engine Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe at $89,000. For some, its exotic carbon chassis is underpinned by a too-firm suspension and the unassisted steering is difficult to deal with. For others (including me) it offers an exceptionally pure driving experience (and those that can't cop its physical nature need to harden up).
Lotus founder Colin Chapman's engineering philosophy, "Simplify, then add lightness" is alive and well in the form of the Lotus Elise Cup 250 ($107,990), and less than $10k more than the A110's MRRP delivers access to Porsche's thoroughbred 718 Cayman ($114,900).
Of course, part of the A110's substantial price tag relates to its all-alloy construction and the low-volume production techniques required to execute it. Not to mention development of an all-new design and global kick-start of a respected but dormant brand.
So, it's not all about bells and whistles, but for the record, a breakdown of this lightweight screamer's standard equipment list includes: 18-inch forged alloy rims, an 'Active-valve' sports exhaust system (with engine noise aligned to drive mode and speed), brushed aluminium pedal covers and passenger footrest, leather-trimmed Sabelt one-piece sports seats, auto LED headlights, satellite navigation, climate control air, cruise control, rear parking sensors, and electric heated, folding wing mirrors.
The 'Alpine Telemetrics' driving data system provides (and stores) real-time performance metrics including power, torque, temperatures, and turbo pressure, as well as lap times for track day warriors. And you'll also pick up a leather and microfibre-trimmed sports steering wheel (complete with 12 o'clock marker and Alpine Blue topstitching), stainless steel door sills with Alpine branding, dynamic (scrolling) indicators, auto rain-sensing wipers, and a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen including 'MySpin' mobile phone connectivity (with smartphone mirroring).
Audio comes from French specialist Focal, and although there are only four speakers, they're special. The main (165mm) speakers in the doors use a flax cone structure (flax sheet sandwiched between two glass fibre layers) and (35mm) aluminium/magnesium inverted dome tweeters sit at either end of the dashtop.
Certainly enough to be going on with, but at more than $100k we'd expect to see a reversing camera (more on that later), and the latest safety tech (more on that later, too).
Aston Martin DBS9/10
The DBS Superleggera is like a finely tailored suit. Impressive, but not flashy, while the finish is impeccable, the materials used are top-shelf, and attention to detail is remarkable. And like anything that’s been carefully crafted and largely hand made, the price is substantial.
Before on-road costs like registration, dealer delivery charges, and compulsory insurance, this Aston will set you back $536,900.
The $500K ballpark contains some heavy-hitting competition, the most closely aligned being Bentley’s 6.0-litre W12-engined Continental GT Speed ($452,670), the 6.3-litre V12-powered Ferrari GTC4 Lusso ($578,000), and Porsche’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six 911 Turbo S ($473,900). All 2+2s, all insanely fast, and bristling with luxury features.
So, aside from the safety and dynamic tech detailed later in this review, what does this special DBS deliver in terms of standard equipment?
First, there’s the Aston Martin, nine-speaker premium audio system (including 400W amp and digital radio, but no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay), a multimedia system managed via an 8.0-inch LCD screen and console touchpad/dial controller system (sourced from Mercedes-AMG), satellite navigation, a Wi-Fi hub, and a 360-degree camera with ‘Parking Distance Display’ and ‘Park Assist.'
Standard upholstery across the seats, dash, and doors is ‘Caithness’ leather (Aston says a dry-drumming process gives it a particularly soft feel) combined with Alcantara (synthetic suede) and ‘Obsidian Black’ leather on the faceted (think square-ish) sports steering wheel, finished off with the DBS logo embroidered into the headrests.
The ‘Sports Plus’ performance seats (with memory) are 10-way electrically-adjustable (including lumbar) and heated, the steering wheel adjusts electrically, ‘interior jewellery’ (trim elements) are ‘Dark Chrome’, and cabin inlays are ‘Piano Black.’
Also included are a configurable digital instrument display, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control (not adaptive), auto LED (high and low beam) headlights and DRLs, as well as LED tail-lights and dynamic indicators.
The ‘Exterior Body Pack’ consists of gloss-finish carbon-fibre across the rear bumper, bootlid flap spoiler. rear diffuser, and front splitter, and the standard rims are 21inch forged ‘Y spoke’ alloys, with (big) dark anodised brake calipers behind them.
All up, a subtle and exclusive approach to an equipment package that’s as much about the overall quality of the car’s design, engineering, and execution as it is about individual features.
But on the subject of features, ‘our’ car was kitted out with a series of special options, namely: Bang & Olufsen audio - $15,270, ‘Leather colour option special’ ‘Copper Tan’ (metallic) - $9720, contrast stitching - $4240, vented front seats - $2780, power seat bolsters - $1390, Triaxial quilting - $1390, headrest embroidery (Aston Martin wings) - $830.
That’s $35,620 worth, and there were still other boxes ticked, like a colour keyed steering wheel, smoked rear lamps, plain leather headlining, ‘Shadow Chrome’ rims, even an umbrella in the boot... but you get the idea.
And if you really want to personalise the car, ‘Q by Aston Martin’ offers a collection of “unique enhancements beyond the scope of the core option range.” Then ‘Q Commission’ opens up a bespoke, atelier-style collaboration with the Aston Martin design team. Possibly an entirely custom car, or just machine guns behind the headlights.
Under the bonnet
Alpine A1109/10
The Alpine A110's (M5P) all-alloy 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine is closely related to the unit found under the bonnet of the Renault Megane R.S.
Alpine has modified the intake manifold, exhaust and overall calibration, but the big difference here is that although it's still transversely mounted, in the Alpine the engine sits in a mid/rear position and drives the rear wheels (rather than in the R.S.'s nose driving the fronts).
Featuring direct injection and a single turbo it produces 185kW at 6000rpm, and 320Nm of torque from 2000-5000rpm, compared to 205kW/390Nm in the Megane R.S. But the Alpine's 356kg weight advantage means it boasts a 169kW/tonne power-to-weight ratio, while the Megane sits at 141kW/tonne.
Drive goes to a Getrag-sourced seven-speed (wet) dual-clutch auto transmission, with Alpine-specific ratios inside.
Aston Martin DBS9/10
The DBS Superleggera is powered by an all-alloy, 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, featuring dual-variable camshaft timing and direct-injection to produce 533kW (715hp) at 6500rpm and 900Nm from 1800-5000rpm.
In line with the personal nature of this car’s build, a brushed metal plaque sits on top of the engine, proudly stating ‘Hand built in England’, and noting that a final inspection was carried out (in our case) by Alison Beck.
Drive goes to the rear wheels via an alloy torque tube and carbon propshaft to a (ZF-sourced) eight-speed automatic transaxle, incorporating a mechanical limited-slip differential, with manual shifts available via wheel-mounted paddles.
Efficiency
Alpine A1108/10
Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 6.2L/100km, the 1.8-litre four emitting 137g/km of CO2 in the process.
Over close to 400km worth of often 'enthusiastic' driving, taking in city, suburban and freeway running we recorded an average of 9.6L/100km.
Definitely a miss, but not bad when you consider we hit the off switch for the standard stop-start system on a consistent basis and regularly took advantage of the accelerator pedal's ability to move towards the floor.
Minimum fuel requirement is 95 RON premium unleaded, and you'll need just 45 litres of it to fill the tank.
Aston Martin DBS7/10
Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 12.3L/100km, the DBS emitting 285g/km of CO2 in the process.
In just under 150km with the car, covering city, suburban and freeway running (as well as a sneaky B-road session) we recorded an average of 17.0L/100km, which is a sizeable number, but kind of expected for a roughly 1.7-tonne, V12-powered meteor on wheels.
Stop-start is standard, minimum fuel requirement is 95 RON premium unleaded, and you’ll need 78 litres of it to fill the tank (which translates to a real world range of approximately 460km).
Driving
Alpine A11010/10
Weighing at just 1094kg (target weight was 1100kg), with a 44:56 front-to-rear weight distribution, the all-aluminium A110 is every millimetre the mini-supercar you'd hope it to be.
It only takes two to three rotations of the Alpine's wheels to realise it's exceptional. The Sabelt seat is superb, the chunky steering wheel perfect, and the engine instantly eager to get on with it.
The electro-mechanical power-assisted steering feels just right from the first corner. The rack is quick and road feel is intimate without the crashy feedback penalty paid by the Alfa 4C.
Engage launch control and you're blasting from 0-100km/h 4.5sec, with the engine adding a suitably raucous backing track, a full charge of air rasping through the inlet manifold just behind your ears. Spinning up to the close to 7000rpm rev ceiling is pure pleasure, with peak torque available from just 2000rpm all the way to five grand.
Pressing the wheel-mounted 'Sport' button sharpens gearshifts and holds low ratios for longer, with the already slick dual-clutch really getting its race face on. Hold in the down lever in manual mode and the transmission will instantly shift through to the lowest gear engine revs will allow, the Active-valve sports exhaust chipping in with rude pops and bangs on the over-run. 'Track' mode is even more hardcore, allowing a greater element of slip in cornering. Brilliant.
The engine's mid/rear location delivers a low roll-centre and the double wishbone suspension set-up (front and rear) manages to combine super-sharp dynamic response with a surprisingly civilised ride.
Alpine says the A110's light weight and ultra-rigid chassis mean its coil springs can be reasonably soft and anti-roll bars light so even our truly ordinary urban blacktop doesn't cause too much distress.
The A110 is beautifully balanced, amazingly agile, and satisfyingly precise. Weight transfer in quick cornering is managed to perfection, the car remaining stable, predictable and hugely entertaining.
Grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber (205/40 fr - 235/40 rr) is tenacious, and the torque vectoring system (by braking) quietly keeps things pointing in the right direction if an over-zealous pilot begins to overstep the mark.
Despite the A110's modest kerb weight braking is professional grade. Brembo provides ventilated 320mm rotors (front and rear) with four-piston alloy calipers at the front and single-piston floating calipers at the rear. They're progressive, powerful and consistent.
The only downsides are a clumsy multimedia interface, and the annoying lack of a reversing camera. But who cares, this car is amazing.
Aston Martin DBS10/10
Once you dip under three and half seconds for the sprint from 0-100km/h strange things happen to your field of vision. Faced with that kind of acceleration, it instantly narrows, your brain instinctively focusing attention on the road ahead because it senses something borderline unnatural is going on.
Claiming just 3.4sec for the DBS Superleggera to hit triple figures (and 0-160km/h in 6.4sec!) we felt obliged to validate the number, and sure enough peripheral vision blurred into nothingness as this brutal machine delivered its shock and awe performance.
And the aural accompaniment is suitably intense, thanks to the electronically-controlled (stainless steel) exhaust, with active valves and quad tail pipes, orchestrating the brilliantly guttural and raucous ‘sound character.’
Pure pulling power is immense with all 900Nm of maximum torque available from just 1800rpm all the way to 5000rpm. Mid-range urge is prodigious, and Aston claims the DBS Superleggera will blast from 80-160km/h (in fourth gear) in 4.2 seconds. That’s a number I didn’t verify, but I’m not going to doubt it.
It might share essentially the same bonded aluminium chassis, but thanks to its carbon-rich bodywork the DBS Superleggera is 72kg lighter than the DB11, with a ‘dry’ weight (no fluids) of 1693kg. The engine is also set low and far back in the chassis, to the point where it’s actually a front-mid location, delivering a 51/49 front/rear weight distribution.
Suspension is double (forged alloy) wishbone front, multi-link rear, with adaptive damping standard, and there are three set-up stages available via the flick of a switch on the left-hand side of the steering wheel.
On the opposite side of the wheel a similar mode control allows you to cycle through ‘GT’, ‘Sport’, and ‘Sport Plus’ settings, tuning various functions including the throttle map, exhaust valves, steering, traction control, and shift response. Steering is speed-dependent electrically-assisted.
Brakes are professional grade vented carbon ceramics, with thumping 410mm rotors at the front clamped by six-piston calipers, and 360mm discs at the rear sporting four piston calipers.
Managing this car’s phenomenal thrust as it morphs into lateral g-force, is a surprising experience. Of course, it grips like a Trump handshake, with a specific ‘A7’ version of Pirelli’s ultra-high performance P Zero tyre on a 21-inch forged alloy rim at each corner.
The 265/35s at the front are big, and monstrous 305/30s at the rear deliver a strong mechanical connection with the road. But it’s the car’s steering and overall agility that’s unexpected.
It doesn’t feel like a beefy 2+2 GT. And while it’s not in the 911’s league when it comes to response and dynamic feedback, it’s a long way down that road.
I found Sport and the middle suspension setting to be the backroad sweet spot, and with the seven-speed auto in manual mode the lightweight DBS simply lights up.
Shifts on the way up the ratios via proper alloy paddles in manual mode are rapid and precise, and the car remains stable and balanced, yet entertainingly athletic in enthusiastic cornering.
When squeezed hard on initial application carbon ceramic brakes don’t ‘bite’ in the same way steel discs do, but the system’s ability to rapidly wash off speed, while the car remains in a steady state, is exceptional.
At the same time, shifts down through the gears are accompanied by a variety of aggressive pops and bangs (a feature of Sport and Sport Plus modes) and the DBS points accurately yet progressively into a bend.
Road feel is excellent, the sports front seat is grippy and comfortable, and the car’s ‘Dynamic Torque Vectoring’ (via braking) system chips in to ensure understeer is kept in check.
In a more sedate mode, thanks largely to the active dampers, the Superleggera is surprisingly comfortable around town, despite the big rims and low-profile rubber.
Under the heading of ‘random thoughts’, the simple interior layout (including the spot-on digital instrument cluster) is great, the auto stop-start is a little jerky on restart, and including the front air dam, ground clearance under the nose is only 90mm, so be mega-careful in and out of driveways, or prepare yourself for the sound of scraping carbon (happily avoided this time around).
Safety
Alpine A1107/10
In terms of active safety, the A110's sheer dynamic ability will help you avoid an unfortunate incident, and specific tech includes ABS, EBA, traction control, stability control (disconnectable), cruise control (with speed limitation) and hill-start assist.
But forget about higher order systems like AEB, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert or adaptive cruise.
And when it comes to passive safety you're protected by an airbag for the driver and one for the passenger. That's it. Weight-saving, eh? What can you do?
The Alpine A110 hasn't been assessed for safety performance by ANCAP or EuroNCAP.
Aston Martin DBS7/10
The Aston Martin DBS hasn’t been assessed by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but the ‘expected’ array of active safety tech is in place including ABS, EBD, and BA, as well as traction and stability controls.
There’s also blind spot monitoring, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a 360-degree camera with ‘Parking Distance Display’ and ‘Park Assist.’
But more recent crash-avoidance tech like active cruise control, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and most notably, AEB, are missing in action.
If an impact is unavoidable there are eight airbags to help protect you - dual-stage driver and front passenger, front side (pelvis and thorax), front knee, as well as two-row curtain.
Both rear-seat positions offer top tethers and ISOFIX anchors for secure baby-capsule or child-seat location.
Ownership
Alpine A1107/10
The Alpine A10 is covered by a three-year/100,000km warranty with a twist. According to Alpine, the first two years are covered for unlimited kilometres. And if at the end of the second year total kilometres remain less than 100,000, the warranty continues into a third year (still to an overall cap of 100,000km).
So, you can sail over the 100,000km mark in the warranty's first two years, but that means you won't get a third.
Complimentary roadside-assist is provided for 12 months, continuing for up to four years if your Alpine is regularly serviced at an authorised dealer.
There are currently three dealers only – one each in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – and service is recommended every 12 months/20,000km, with the first two costing $530 each, and the third ramping up to $1280.
You'll also need to factor in a pollen filter ($89) at two years/20,000km and accessory belt replacement ($319) at four years/60,000km.
Aston Martin DBS7/10
In Australia, Aston Martin offers a three-year/unlimited km warranty, with 24-hour roadside assistance included for the duration.
Servicing is recommended every 12 months or 16,000km, whichever comes first.
Aston also offers extended service contract options, renewable after 12 months, including features like transfers and accommodation in the event of a breakdown, and coverage while the car is being used at official Aston Martin events.
There’s also a collection and delivery service (or courtesy car) to sweeten the servicing deal.