-
Which passport lane for travellers with French residency cards or visas under EES?
We also look at whether the rules will be different for Brexit WA card holders after the new digital border changes start
-
Var resident leaves €2.5m to his commune - on one condition
The 95-year-old requested that the money is used to build a welcome centre for elders
-
Electricity prices will reduce for most French households in January
However the government will seek to increase tax on usage
Top sales for Alpine sports car in France
The Renault owned Alpine A110 model outsold German Porsche
The Alpine A110 was the best-selling sports car in France in 2022, with sales of 3,500 and beating the German Porsche.
The car, known for its distinctive blue versions, as pictured, is partly handmade at a factory in Dieppe in Seine-Maritime.
The site took on an extra 10 workers last year to cope with demand.
With a four-cylinder, 1.8l petrol engine with turbo chargers, the Alpine does not have as much power as the Porsche Cayman, its closest rival, but its light weight of 1.1 tonnes means it takes just 4.5 seconds to get to 100km/h for the basic model, equal to the Porsche.
It is rear-wheel drive and has relatively good fuel consumption, at between 6.7-7 litres per 100km. Prices range from €105,000 for the ultra-sporty R version where aluminium is replaced by carbon fibre for the boot, bonnet and some other parts, down to €59,500 for the basic model.
Special edition models include a fast interceptor car for the gendarmerie which is starting to be used on autoroutes.
In spite of its success, the petrol A110, which went on sale in 2018, will probably end production in 2026 when an electric version will take its place.
“Eight years is a good run for a car without significant changes,” an Alpine spokeswoman said.
“We are very happy.”
Other more ‘mass market’ models are expected in 2026, as well as the electric replacement.
Alpine is owned by the Renault group.
With the A110 entirely made in France, apart from some electronics chips, it has not suffered from the long production delays some models have had.
Even so, waiting lists for delivery are between four and seven months, depending on the version and options.
Related articles
Iconic French car is unrecognisable in Renault’s electric SUV redesign
France’s most popular car is back – but not as you know it