UK-based tuning specialist Mountune, has joined forces with the alloy wheel manufacturer Fifteen52, to launch a new tuning brand specifically for VW Group models. Called M52, the new brand will offer a range of aftermarket performance and styling upgrades while upholding vehicle warranty. M52 will launch with a handful of hardware and software updates for the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R. Currently, the firm鈥檚 X3 induction kit and stage one remap are available, promising more performance. A more comprehensive range of products, for a wider range of VW Group models, are also planned for release throughout the year. Mountune has history of tuning VAG products, having developed Audi鈥檚 480bhp 1.8-litre Formula 2 racing engines. Alec Pell-Johnson, director of Mountune and M52, said: 鈥淲e are building a new brand for a group of automotive enthusiasts that are equally dedicated and passionate. While Mountune performance began over a decade ago with the 2008 mk6 Fiesta ST, the opportunity to work with Fifteen52 and build a distinct, new brand was an opportunity to jump at.
This Pure model is meant to come on 17-inch wheels, but our car was actually specified with larger 18-inch alloys that were necessary to fit over the bigger 拢936 performance brakes. While we鈥檇 have liked to try the car on the standard wheels, it鈥檚 still a sweet package. There are adjustable driving modes, like its rivals, but these only alter throttle response and gearbox settings; the dampers are passive. Infotainment comprises a seven-inch screen with sat-nav. You get climate control, Bluetooth, DAB and cruise control, but while a reversing camera and parking sensors are options, they aren鈥檛 needed. It鈥檚 worth mentioning the Alpine鈥檚 styling. The TT features minor design updates, but the A110 apes its sixties cousin and is a faithful, modern interpretation of that car. Styling is subjective, but we think this is a well-executed contemporary design boasting lots of character in a class where that should be praised.
The A110鈥檚 lightweight approach runs through every area of the car, and it鈥檚 most noticeable (and all the better for it, too) in the chassis. The Alpine has such a delicate touch on the road, seeming to skip over bumps rather than trying to bully them into submission, as with the Audi. It鈥檚 because the chassis has compliance, and this soft side means there is some roll. But it gives the driver some feedback on where the limit is and the car鈥檚 balance. It seems to have a symbiotic relationship with the road in most cases, reacting to the tarmac harmoniously. Only occasionally does it come unstuck and feel hurried in its reaction to inputs. The steering is sweet as well. It鈥檚 fast but not so that the A110 feels nervous. It doesn鈥檛 chatter away to you all the time, but it鈥檚 more communicative than the Audi鈥檚. The powertrain isn鈥檛 as much of a highlight, though, but that鈥檚 only because the chassis sets the bar so high. Mounted behind your head, the 1.8-litre turbo engine has a gargly induction note and good low-down punch.
There鈥檚 a little lag, but once on boost the motor revs hard to its limiter. The transmission shifts quickly enough with a flatulent tone from the exhaust, although it sometimes holds on to revs when you lift off after an upshift. Downshifts feel a little laboured, too. Still, it was good enough to hurl the A110 from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds, thanks to launch control.That鈥檚 0.6 seconds slower than the Audi, but just under a second quicker than the Porsche. Its in-gear times were stellar because the 320Nm of torque doesn鈥檛 have to lug a heavy body around. This is where the A110 falls down. Storage inside is restricted, too, so our car鈥檚 bag on the bulkhead as part of the 拢468 storage pack was useful, but it鈥檚 extremely pricey. Rear visibility is poor through that small window, although the view forward is great. Other minor gripes include the driving position, which feels quite far back in the cabin and a little too reclined relative to the steering wheel.
However, you can manually adjust the position of the seat with tools. As a small brand, Alpine didn鈥檛 rank in our Driver Power 2018 survey. However, because much of the tech inside is borrowed from Renault, it鈥檚 mostly intuitive. This mainstream French firm finished 24th out of 26 manufacturers. Safety kit comprises two airbags and not much else. There aren鈥檛 any upgrades available on Pure trim. This is one of the sacrifices you have to make in order to get the great driving dynamics. Less weight means lower CO2. The A110 emits only 144g/km, which puts it in the 29 per cent BiK bracket; that鈥檚 four per cent less than the TTS and eight ahead of the Cayman. It means the Alpine will cost higher-rate earners just 拢5,411 a year to run as a company car, compared with 拢5,848 for the Audi and 拢6,523 with the Porsche. Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淭he 拢1,380 sports exhaust鈥檚 note is toned down in Comfort mode.
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