Alpine A110S: a hotter version of the mid-engine sports car we all want

We’re still salty about not getting the wondrous

Alpine A110 mid-engine sports car

in America. Count us extra jealous today, though, because Alpine just revealed a hotted-up A110S variant with more performance and new styling.

The 1.8-liter four-cylinder gets a 40-horsepower boost to 288. Torque remains the same at 236 pound-feet. Acceleration to 62 mph happens in just 4.4 seconds, which is one tenth of a second quicker than before. The extra power comes from increased boost pressure, and peak power is reached 400 rpm higher in the rev range at 6,400 rpm. Power is still sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Alpine lowered the car by a miniscule 4 millimeters, then gave it 50-percent stiffer springs and re-tuned the shocks accordingly. The anti-roll bars are said to be twice as firm as the stocker. Better handling is also sought with larger wheels and tires. The wider Michelin

Pilot

Sport 4s are 215-section-width in front and 245-section-width in back. Brembo brakes that were optional equipment on the base car come as the standard clampers on the 110S.

Our favorite part of the car — its supremely low weight — hasn’t been negatively affected, as the curb weight of the 110S is a feather-light 2,456 pounds. Additionally, you get a bunch of small appearance elements exclusive to the 110S that we love, like orange brake calipers, orange stitching throughout the interior, and weird little orange-accented flag emblems throughout. A carbon fiber roof with a gloss finish is optional on the 110S, along with lightweight Fuchs forged alloy wheels. Too bad

all we can do is drool over the photos

.