Alpine’s featherweight A110 sports coupe has the sort of steering feel and balance that can make even a Cayman sweat. So when the French brand confirmed that the next-generation A110 would be all-electric, purists sighed in unison.

But all hope is not be lost, because developments elsewhere in the Renault empire could potentially result in a hybrid A110.

Hybrid Rumblings

Horse, a company formed in 2023 as a joint venture between Renault and China’s Geely, has developed two petrol-electric engines that are designed to help automakers hybridize EV platforms.

Both are 1.5-liter transverse units with four cylinders (though Horse says a three-pot may follow) and are incredibly compact, the base version with one electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission measuring just 25.6 inches (650 mm) end to end.

Related: Porsche Is Sneaking Gas Power Back Into The Next 718

But it’s the second version that should be of more interest to A110 fans. It gets an additional motor on the end of the transmission, which adds 3.5 inches (89 mm) to the length.

Motor Trend says it pumps out 349 hp (354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm), which would makes it less muscular than a top-spec electric A110, but punchy enough for a car carrying so little weight.

Alpine says even the EV version will weigh less than 3,200 lbs (1,450 kg), and a hybrid would almost certainly weigh less. The current ICE A110, which does just fine with 249 hp (252 PS), weighs just 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg).

How Real Is the Hybrid A110?

Just to be clear, none of this A110 hybrid stuff has been confirmed by Alpine or Horse, but for enthusiasts who feared the sweet-handling coupe would be silenced forever it’s a tantalizing glimmer of hope. And given the Renault connection and what’s just happened at Porsche, entirely believable.

After planning to make the next-generation 718 Cayman and Boxster purely electric, Porsche announced that combustion-engine models would continue – a decision driven largely by customer demand.

Sports-car fans simply haven’t warmed to the idea of heavy, quiet EVs that trade mechanical emotion for range and instant torque.

Where Does Alpine Go From Here?

Alpine, like Porsche, has been trying to navigate this tricky middle ground between environmental responsibility and emotional appeal. Its parent company Renault is heavily invested in electrification, but Alpine’s identity is built on agility, something battery packs tend to smother.

Sure, most buyers would probably prefer a straight combustion setup, but emissions regs rule that out. A hybrid A110 could be an appealing compromise, combining low-speed EV running with the throttle response and sound that enthusiasts crave.

And while Porsche is reserving combustion power in the next 718s for high-end models, using Horse tech could enable Alpine to bring the hybrid in at the affordable end of the range.

Sadly for American fans, this is all moot. The A110 isn’t sold in the US, and that’s unlikely to change no matter what’s under the hood or floorpan.

In fact, Alpine has put its entire America plans on hold due to President Trump’s tariffs, having previously vowed to bring a couple of crossovers and SUVs to North America starting in 2027.

Lightweight, relatively affordable, mid-engine sports cars are almost unheard of these days, but the Alpine A110 has been serving enthusiasts ever since 2017. However, its time is coming to an end as the French automaker has announced the final units are going into production.

Alpine’s Dieppe Jean Rédélé plant will only build 1,750 more cars including 50 units of the extreme A110 R 70. Production is scheduled to wrap up in mid-2026 and, by that time, nearly 30,000 second-generation A110s will have been built.

More: Alpine Introduces New A110 GTS And R 70 Special Edition

While it’s sad to see the car go, it won’t be the end of the A110 story. Quite the opposite as a third-generation model will be introduced next year. It will ride on the all-new Alpine High Performance Electric Platform (APP) and be a “proper electric sports car.”

As for the current model, Alpine offers the A110, A110 GTS, and A110 R 70. The entry-level coupe starts at €66,900 in France and features a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine developing 248 hp (185 kW / 252 PS) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque.

It’s connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which enables the 2,429 lb (1,102 kg) coupe to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds.

The €79,900 A110 GTS has an upgraded engine producing 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque. This lowers the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time to 4.2 seconds, while the top speed climbs up to 170 mph (274 km/h).

Buyers will also find a sportier suspension, an active sports exhaust, and 18-inch forged wheels.

Sitting at the top of the lineup is the €122,900 A110 R 70, which celebrates the brand’s 70th anniversary. It’s limited to 770 units and features an assortment of carbon fiber components including the hood, roof, wheels, and rear spoiler.