Alpine A110 vs BMW M2 Competition review | Which is the best sports car? | Autocar
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 พ.ย. 2018
- The Alpine A110 is a brilliant small sports coupe. It costs around £50,000 in the UK and has wonderfully engaging rear-drive handling. The BMW M2 Competition is also a brilliant small sports coupe. It costs around £50,000 in the UK and, well, you can tell where this is going, can't you? Subscribe now: smarturl.it/autocar
We take both the A110 and the M2 Competition to some of our favourite roads to test them back-to-back, decide which is best, and whether you really should put your money into one of these rather than a Porsche 718 Cayman.
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Comments are interesting... I wonder how many people commenting have driven these two cars, I test drove the Alpine, Cayman and also considered the BMW M2.
In the end I purchased the Alpine and it's an amazing car, every time I take it on a drive I always have a big smile by the end of it. Cayman is awesome but I wanted something a little different, I have zero regrets in spending £52,000 on the Alpine A110 PE.
I've owned several BMW's, Audi's etc over the years and just couldn't get excited by the M2.. big powerful engine but the weight on it is ridiculous. I couldn't use the Alpine as a daily car with 2 kids and 2 dogs but I'm lucky to have this as a fun car.
My daily car is a Skoda Superb 4x4 estate with 282 BHP that goes to 60 in 5.6 secs, by all accounts on the surface a boring looking car but has some great unmodified performance for what it is. This replaced my previous Audi A6 Blackline Avant which was quite frankly dull (RS6 would be different).
I think it's great Alpine have released this car, I've had many car enthusiast that are genuinely interested and want to talk to me about the Alpine as it's different.
Car fans should appreciate the fact they are still trying to release cars like this in a world of SUVs.
Thanks for your feedback. I've been waiting for the Alipne. However not having a manual transmission is a deal breaker for me. Too bad it would have been an enthusiast's car. Now I'll just wait for a preowned manual 718.
@@alexg475 have you driven the Alpine? If not, take it for a test drive and then you can see if it's for you or not. I used to be of the mindset of manual only but don't really miss it anymore tbh, everyone is different though in what they want especially when spending your hard earned cash.
I'm looking forward to a test drive in the alpine... I'm glad it's a car people are raving over
@kroooassant no way!! 🙂
@kroooassant wow... no other way you could have known that... I believe you! 😀
The presenter, Dan, eventually bought an A110
Alpine in a heartbeat. No competition. The 520 kilograms weight difference is bonkers. Colin Chapman was right.
Ops you mean the greatest Engineer of the 20th century? 100% spot on mate
An alpine a110 Vs lotus Elise would be a good video surely. True rivals
As a Lotus Elise owner, I agree! Mine's 13 years old now. Maybe an A110 would be a nice replacement. It looks easier to climb into and I'm not getting any younger :)
I love the Elise but I could see myself driving over long distances without the wife complaining in an Alpine and even use it as a daily. It bridges the gap between the Elise and the Cayman perfectly.
They tested the Elise against a cayman and I imagine the results with the alpine will be a very similar outcome. Driver thrills and as a weekend car the Elise will come out on top. For usability and even as a daily the alpine will win. Depends what you are looking for. Tbh Elises can be daily driven and the new ones are a fair bit more refined than the earlier ones, minimalistic still obviously but really a decent ride. Obviously the alpine are a step up in interior (although not to the standard of the 718 in that respect). Generally for comfort and usability you will sacrifice some lightness, agility and driver thrills. All stellar cars and I don’t think anyone would blame you for choosing one over the other.
But yes even though I’m fairly confident of what will be said I still want that video.
An S1 Evora NA would be better for the Alpine...shame they don’t make it anymore...an Exige Roadster then!
That's a really good idea 👍👍👍
Wish we got the Alpine in Canada. Truly sad we don't get this incredible, beautiful car. Bring back French cars to North America!
Sadly the feench guys and polititians forgot bout Canada they think bout only for Africa because they can steel from there.
Hopefully it will come my friend.
Alternatively you could move to Europe, we got good quality of life and plenty of beautyfull curvy roads ;)
Legend says that you can teleport French cars to Quebec
@@filipborin555 nah actually French manufacturers are much more implanted in Asia than Africa, they just left North American market because small cars like a Peugeot 208 or a Renault Clio would make no sense on the North American big roads. But if I remember correctly I think Peugeot wants to have an other go at the North American market with their small SUVs so maybe one day French manufacturers will sell some of those small sportscar/hatchbacks? Cheers frome France
@@baptoufragilise Mais uiii tu as raison peut etre mais...Pourquoi les constructeurs francais ne sont pas contruit des moteurs plus puissants pour leur modeles au Canada et aux Etats-Unis pendant les anees 70s et 80s?
Wow, for Brits loving a french car, it really must be mega
Lotus is British. Lightweight rules
Brits love newish renaults, hate peugeot, are passionate about old citroens.
Megane 3rd gen Trophy was maybe the best hot hatch ever and Brits loved that car.
Love that Alpine's retro look. I have owned several bimmers over the years , so I do love them, but this Alpine is unique and the one to get IMO.
A110 is more likable
Alpine , what else ? 👍🇫🇷
"M2 competition". The most compact M car weighs like a SUV
That ride in the BMW! In comparison to the Alpine it looks like they were driven on different roads.
A110 for me obvs. BMW is not a special car, run of the mill etc. Alpine is simply awesome
Once again a great video guys. You two do fantastic work together- keep it up!
Both great cars, BM sounds wonderful but the Alpine is just something fresh and different, looks more interesting and is supposed to be great to drive. What’s not to like?🤔
Notice how the guy in the BMW is bouncing all the place in his car but the guy in the Alpine is not
You can see the difference in the ride of these two from the camera easily. The BMW crashing around trying to control its bulk while the A110 can lean and roll so much more. Would love to test both of these!
Where do you see that lol
@@bb-vf1hb The in-car footage. I don't know why I bothered, but picked out examples for you anyway lol: 1:43 & 2:54
Lmao, you must be on drugs mate. The M2 is significantly more controlled and relaxed. Whereas the tin pot Alpina is capable of shattering your back if you go over even the slightest of pot holes. No, make that, if you go over a small stone! What a fucking melt
@@GaryDownes Ok. I'm just reporting what I saw on camera and also what these journalists seem to be saying about the weight differences on these cars and how stiffly they're sprung. Taking nothing away from the M2 here mate, seems like a brilliant car! But as most BMW's are, a bit too stiffly sprung (BMW fanboi slaughter incoming...)
That's crashing around? Uhhhh ok lol
Mat prior, finally ur editor has made u a good and entertaining enough car reviewer. Respect
So they were traveling on the same road right.... one driver was being "jiggled" the whole time and the other wasn't.... I'll take the smoother ride anyday.
99 percent of buyers will do the same. But let's ignore that and say the toy wins the test.
@@MyRealName He's saying the M2 had a bad ride. Watch the video Matt's being thrown about so much more in the M2 and he mentions it in the video when he talks about "vertical movement".
@@MyRealName haaa bmw fanboy
I noticed this too, I own an M4 CP and the ride in that is very bouncy too. It’s fair to say BMW and the M division need to sort their suspension out 🙈
The actual ride of the m2 competition is very smooth. It it comfortable and you don’t get jiggled around. Although it didn’t look it, my one is very comfy
Hey Autocar, you are turning this channel around. Good job, keep going.
The Gearbox on the Alpine is far more superior than stated. Compared to the VAG 7G DSG, its much more refined and snappier. Its actual very similar to the porsche PDK Gearbox.
Praised in a lot of reviews indeed.
Great vid boys, you make a great presenting team.
Dan Prosser is one of the best car testers there is. He gives me the precise info and sensorial feedback I need. I wish they handed him more cars to review
Dan Prosser is a much welcomed addition to your channel. Great presentation and insights.
Alpine all day everyday.. and i'm pretty sure it's going to make people do a double take just because it's something they don't see everyday.. that's just part of the fun really..
A BMW is a BMW.. doesn't matter what model it is, people would still know it's a Bimmer.. Not hating, just picking the Alpine this time.. I prefer comfort plus performance over just pure brutal performance.. More Alpine please.. oh yeah, it's quite the looker too..👌
Edward Tiangco I saw one on the road in my town and almost crashed into a tree because I couldn't stop staring at it.
Alpine is a sportscar, M2 is a sporty daily. Big difference.
Michiage Wtf is sport daily
LOL - Go and watch good drivers wringing the life out of the M2 on the ring, or whatever track. The M2 holds its own.
I've spent a couple of days in an Alpine and while it's a two-seater with small luggage space, it is comfortable and smooth enough for a single person to use on a daily basis.
Also, the 1103kg kerbweight means that it's as fuel-efficient as a normal petrol hatchback!
Mikeado66 Also it has smaller wheels which means cheaper tyres and since it is very light it will need the less often. Same gos for the brake pads. The perfect car for a single person or if you have a second family car.
Daily car with that stiff suspension?. I choose the normal M2 as everyday car if I would need 4 seats. If not, I choose the Alpine.
The answer is in their eyes... Young guy loving the A110, bald guy bored stiff in the BMW
Glide in the Alpine or vertical bump in the BMW, was my take away from the video. Lighter weight, softer springs. Looks way more comfortable without losing out on pace. The BMW does have the advantage of being a four seater, and that six.
Gadgety but, I think anyone who was forced to sit in the back of the BMW would immediately start planning the driver's assassination
You can’t beat physics. If you want a driver’s car the Alpine is the best car for the money.
@@leobuckey Ha, ha, yes, perhaps.
Nice review, but I was hoping for just a little more detail on what they were like to drive (good and bad), as this was a very interesting head-to-head.
ok at last after a couple of years....i subscribed......well earnt gents.
It's My dream vs video, really big thanks for autocar
Loved the ending 🤣
If you want the sporty bits added to the standard M2 you only need springs and spacers. If you want more linear delivery add an intake. Worked wonders on mine.
I’m a BMW fan (have one), but I’d take the Alpine. Knocks it out of the park in terms of aesthetics and weight. Sounds pretty good too!
So cool that Dan got to own one of these Alpines after he so clearly fell in love here. Such a cool car.
Have to say, I am a bmw fan, have been more a few years back, they have let me down quite a bit later. But not this m2c, it is wonders and wonderful everyday. Probably the best car here as everyday car goes, but out on these roads I would go with the Alpine. Not a fan of that looks, not bad but not great either, and that engine and gearbox not great either for the price, but it looks a sublime drive. I don't take much of what they say about the car as much as what a see on the video, it looks like Dan truly is having a blast and the car flows. Having said that, that huge vertical movement on the m2c wasn't there on previous videos of them, nor in other TH-cam channel, so I think they might have put it in track mode. Either that or a freekingly bumpy Road.. Both cars are Mega for sure would be mega happy with either one
Would love to see how the alpine compares to something from an older generation, mk3 mr2, first gen cayman etc because a lot of whats said about the Alpine was said about them at launch too
Always great work gents
Ι would have liked a time comparison in a track between those two. It would show if the lightness of the Alpine actually compensates for the smaller engine.
In 2019 we are very lucky to have these cars even available to buy, they are all awesome (inc 718), you simply can't go wrong with any of them, to choose between the 3 is now just personal opinion.
I still hate that the A110 doesn't come with a proper manual transmission. To me the argument that "automatics are faster" is silly since most people aren't racing these cars on a circuit, and if they were there are several cars that are much faster on a track for the same money (oddly most of them offered with manual, in some cases manual only). No a sports car should be about driving enjoyment, and good lap times just being a byproduct. The Cayman and M2 still have manuals for the real enthusiasts. The A110 and 4C need to remedy this.
Alpine had to make a choice, if I remember correctly they said the automatic allows them to have a lighter car, I don't remember the reasons. Maybe they'll propose manual on future models?
@@boutch3r Hopefully. I remember reading that Alpine said the auto was lighter, but I still don't buy it. Auto's are either torque converter autos which are heavier, or are simply manual transmissions with automated cluth work and shifting, which adds weight. So either way a manual should be lighter.
@@Dolby109 I had car with automated transmission which add about 2-3 kgs only to the manual gearbox, minus it has no clutch pedals and had no gearshifting rods which could be cost the same weight , so doesn't really matter the weight, but can shift faster than people with manuals
@@mesasartworks The motor that shifted the gears, and the motor that depressed the clutch was only 2-3kg combined????
Besides I've seen plenty of single clutch automatics that were far slower than I shift a manual. Many of the DCT's are faster, but only barely. They are certainly better on consistency at a fast rate of shifting.
Alpine said the DCT they were looking into were a good 10kg lighter than the manual transmission iirc
I think it would be interesting to see how the A110 GT stacks up against the M2 Comp or especially the upcoming G87 one.
The upcoming Alpine A110 Trophy is on the way with the same engine that's on the Megane RS Trophy 300, that should even take the standard Alpine A110 a few notches up & make it even a more interesting package!
There will be no Alpine A110 Trophy, as this is no Renault...
But yes, plenty of talks about an S version, certainly more track oriented, ie more efficient on track but less fun to drive on open roads.
And that's really the point. The A110 has been designed to reach max driving pleasure on open roads. And it's spot on. Modifiing this equilibrium with more power (ie more weight) and more stiffness is not necessarely going to generate more fun.
Kudos to anyone who managed to make it to the end of this video without dozing off.
Good video guys. Probably the right outcome too. The looks are growing on me, I've got some interior footage of the Alpine on my channel.
Some drone shots would really add to these sort of videos :)
Finally!
Unbiased review...
Considering what Porsche does for a theater with its 911 T: 35 kg weight reduction. And now the Alpine - 300- 600 kg lighter than a 911. That's a word!
One of my dreams is getting both of these cars.
A110 any day of the week
The m2 looks are different class.... so nice!
How would the Alfa 4C compare to these two in the way it drives?
they r on the same road and the Alpine seems so much easy and quiet than the BMW !
I don't remember you comparing a lotus elise, an opel speedster or a mr2 with some m3 or something at the time, wonder why ?
I love the Alpine to drive on twisty roads!
which of the two should I get to daily drive?
For an everyday drive, no 2nd thoughts whatsoever!
The BMW M2 Competition in a frickin' heartbeat!
These are not in the same sector just because You say so.
Put it together with the Evora & 4C.
Agreed, at the end "so there we have it the alpine is the best small sports car you can buy" as if their opinion is definitive. Bluh.
The Alpine is not available here in Canada. Therefore do I pick the M2 Competition over an RS3????
What roads did they use?
I love the M2 so much, beautiful car to drive...
Great car. drove one late 2019.really fun and I like the smaller size too.but 2 comments. 1. styling ok, but not great James May said, don't try and refresh, do something bold & new. and second, it badly needs a six speed manual. it would be so much more fun with a six speed.
Where was the vs. part?
i dont think both cars would be a good daily for me. i prefer good mountain roads over tracks also. i think alpine suits me better if i wanted a second car to use weekends :)
milli pekmez Alpine is amazing on mountain roads, basicaly its what its made for.
Whatever road surface you throw at it, it just eats it up, the car is never unsettled by any kind of bumps.
And the way it accelerates on uphills is almost the same as it does on flat road, its quite amazing.
Probably the best car I have ever driven.
@@drazenbudis7881 thanks for the sharing your personal experience with the car, it is so precious for me to learn this type of personal relations with the cars, i always enjoy to hear love or hate relations :) greatly appreciated :)
-now i want even more to drive alpine for a long time. Isle of man's bumpy and curvy roads are what i have in my mind, i think those conditions with alpine might be the closest thing to make a petrolhead feels like in heaven :)
Alpine for me its different but it is different for good things .
Like the 110 but there is no way I would pick one over a comp....especially with the tuning already available for the M.
Without a manual gearbox, the Alpine remains a fabulous, but irrelevany curiosity to me. And I'm a potential punter - I bought a new Elise S2 at launch and later, a new Exige S. Plus, I'm on my 5th Caterham. M2 all day long out of these two.
Put a manual in the Alpine, tho'.... I'd be seriously interested.
Alpine all the way!
I don’t like how the shift paddles on the Alpine are stationary. The BMW paddles move with the steering wheel, making it less awkward for mid-corner shifting.
Just watching Matt Prior trying to speak while having his spine jarred in the M2 was enough evidence for me
M2 is one of the best cars on the market right now
I think both you guys should've exchanged the cars later and see how they were. Might get a bit of surprise.
M2 an everyday sport car?? It weights 1.640 kg with no driver! Alpine all day....
Apline easily wins for me. The BMW is trying to be a sports car. The Alpine just is one.
Can someone tell me the name of the song used at the beginning of the video?
The way the paddle shifters on the Alpine don’t move with the wheel looks weird. Like makes it more awkward at times surely
Anyone knows the name of the music playing the background at 7:40?
Love the Alpine.
Alpinee, such a fun lovely car ❤️
Only problem is that you can't get your hands on a Alpine A110. Waiting list is about a year and those that are immediately available come with a +10k list price. :-(
When did Chris Martin start doing car shows?
I can see it😂
So much better a review for taking a position.
The Aliapne (!) is really nice, but when it comes to parting with my own money, the BMW or Porsche would have it. And that's from somebody who has owned a few Alpine built Clios in the past, so I do like the brand.
As for talk of suspension changes in the M2C, by all accounts the only difference is the front strut brace - amazing how it completely changes the car, I think you journos have incredibly short memories!
Alpine built Clio ???
@@davidsanderson2960 From the late 1970s, Alpine's Dieppe plant produced Renault Sport models and, after the discontinuation of the Alpine marque in 1995, it became its main focus. Renault Sport models produced over time by Alpine include: Renault 5 Turbo, Renault Sport Spider, Clio Renault Sport, Mégane Renault Sport. The last Renault Sport model produced by Dieppe was the fourth-generation Clio Renault Sport, which was put out of production at the site in 2018.
The M2 is probably the more practical but I suspect the Alpine will be mechanically the more reliable....
Alpine A110 all day! Its so nice, cool and fast!
If you’re interested in both of these cars get a used BMW 230i. Half the price, same excellent front engine and rear drive basic chassis of the M2 Comp (all 2s drive great, not just the M) but with less weight over the nose from a 2.0 twinscroll turbo motor making 252hp and 260lb-ft, a softer spring setup with more travel like the alpine and it weighs in around 1425kg. With a remap for additional grunt it would truly be the midpoint between the two, more practical and liveable than the alpine too.
2:14 that reminded me of Jeremy Clarkson when he was reviewing a car (i don´t remember which one) on top gear
He was reviewing the McLaren P1 and comparing it to the Bugatti Veyron. But that's just the last such instance. There have been quite a few before.
Great video. Both look fantastic. But I do own an M2 so I'm gonna biased... but of course the Alpine looks and sounds great and I'm sure it's a really great car... But as a daily, the M2 is just better imo. It's a regular 2 series BMW for people who don't know about cars... And you can fit more than 2 people in it, you also get a real rear trunk. The BMW is not just a sport car.
Alpine champion World Rally, BMW zero😅😅😅
I didn't know the M2 was sooo heavy, wow over 1600kg.
Pls work on your voice audio quality, at least for first guy. Otherwise great vid.
I would love to buy both, they are 2 of my favourite cars, but when i wanna enjoy some sporty driving obviously i would drive the alpine. Don't forget that the m2 is more enjoyable than most sports cars and pretty much any audi rs ever.
I don't think they will sell a lot of A110. I tried the Renault Spider (windshield version), it was a f*cking awesome machine even with only 150 BHP it gives you 10 times more sensation than any other car (except Lotus Seven and this kind of really root stuff)
There's just something about the Alpine? It's called sexiness that the M2 does not.
just imagine the a110 with the 280 hp as in the megane , suddenly 120 hp difference wouldn't be enough for the M2 to keep up :))
Alpine is working on the AS 110 with the new 300 hp engine of the new megane RS Trophy !
In October 2019. If it's true... :)
Why not switch drivers/cars? To get the more true (2 subjective) comparisons? A bit silly to just drive their favorites.
I wanna see it on sale here in the US.
Well...we know which one Colin Chapman would prefer. Alpine have added QUITE a bit of lightness.
I have an M2 and an S1 Lotus Exige with a s/c Honda.
You cannot compare a front engined car with mid.
There are sports cars and heavy saloons ( M2)
The M2 is rubbish compared to my Exige,why you would want to take an M2 on a track - it's not a lot lighter than an Aston Martin DB9! My M2 is a great touring car for trips to Wales and Scotland.
nearlyretired were you making a point?
@@samsonian yes, sorry about that.
I was agreeing with you.The alpine is lighter,which means it's faster everywhere!
nearlyretired no worries, mate. I was just curious and figured maybe you forgot to finish. I just wish we would get to see Alpines here in the US...but alas, no Renault, no Citroen, no (insert name here). Not really complaining, just would like to see one in person.
Gordon Murray got one as well
How would the Alfa 4C compete in this group
Dan Szeto they don't make it anymore. And probably quite badly I'm afraid, a lot of journalists have slated it. For the record I do actually like them.
Alpine for the win. No doubt it is an insane value for money.
It's a toy that costs as much as a premium sports car.
Yep - Alpine is on another level altogether.. Without question, without exception :D
@Kameron Cole It is the same engine as the new Mégane RS (1.8 Turbo) I've seen 320bhp versions already, I have no doubt that it can give pretty easily 350 on stock internals, then who knows how much if you decide to tinker with it more ...
@@TheThunderwars "I have no doubt that it can give pretty easily 350 on stock internals" - ridiculous statement
@Kameron Cole Well I would not do it. But of course you can get absurd power if you want. Going the crazy way you can get 500 BHP, but it won't be pleasant to drive. I'd much rather swap in a supercharged V6, something along the line of the exige engine.
Why not compare the Alfa 4c vs the alpine?
The Alpine A110 is my favorite. 😎👍
I would go for the one that...
Sounds better
Has more space and practicality
Has more accessible dealer network
Looks better
Has better equipment and options
Will depreciate less
So I did.