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2027 Alpine A110 EV Prototype Previews an Electric Sports Car That Refuses to Forget What Made the Original Great

The gasoline-powered Alpine A110 has taken its final bow. After eight years in production and 28,701 examples built, the lightweight French coupe has officially rolled off the assembly line in Dieppe for the last time, bringing the second-generation model to a close. But Alpine isn’t letting its most celebrated nameplate fade into history.

Instead, it’s reinventing it.

Meet the A110 Future—a development prototype that previews the third-generation A110 due to arrive in 2027. While it wears familiar bodywork, this isn’t simply yesterday’s sports car with a battery stuffed where the engine used to live. Underneath, Alpine has started with a clean sheet of paper, developing an entirely new electric sports car around its dedicated Alpine Performance Platform (APP).

And unlike many manufacturers making the leap to electrification, Alpine insists it isn’t willing to sacrifice the characteristics that made the A110 such a standout in the first place.

At first glance, the prototype doesn’t appear radically different from the outgoing coupe. That’s intentional. Like many early test mules, it combines existing body panels with new hardware hidden beneath. Look closer, though, and the changes become obvious. Wider fenders hint at substantially broader front and rear tracks, while the familiar rear-mounted 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder—an engine whose roots trace back to the Renault Megane RS—has disappeared entirely.

In its place are two electric motors driving the rear wheels.

Keeping rear-wheel drive rather than adopting the increasingly common all-wheel-drive layout suggests Alpine remains committed to preserving the playful handling balance that has defined the A110 since its revival in 2017. The dual-motor setup promises significantly more torque than the outgoing gasoline model, although Alpine has yet to reveal power figures.

The real engineering story, however, lies beneath the floor.

Rather than installing a conventional skateboard battery stretching from axle to axle, Alpine has developed a split battery arrangement positioned toward the rear of the chassis. The goal is to achieve a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, helping the electric coupe maintain the agility expected of a proper driver’s car.

Weight, of course, remains the elephant in every EV sports car discussion.

The outgoing A110 tipped the scales at just 1,102 kilograms (2,430 pounds), making it one of the lightest sports cars on sale. Matching that figure with a battery-powered replacement borders on impossible, but Alpine appears determined to keep the increase under control. The company says the battery uses high-energy-density cells combined with a cell-to-pack design that integrates the cells directly into the battery structure, reducing unnecessary mass and improving packaging efficiency.

The platform itself also relies heavily on aluminum, while an all-aluminum suspension is designed to trim every unnecessary kilogram.

Efficiency has received equal attention. Alpine confirms the A110 Future uses a silicon carbide (SiC) inverter, allowing greater power density while reducing electrical losses and weight. An 800-volt electrical architecture also forms part of the package, promising the kind of ultra-fast DC charging increasingly becoming standard among high-performance EVs.

If Alpine’s engineering ambitions sound lofty, its marketing claims go even further.

The company describes the upcoming A110 as “the world’s first true electric sports car” and says it will possess everything necessary to outperform today’s finest internal-combustion sports cars. Those are bold promises in a segment populated by machines with decades of development behind them, but Alpine has built its reputation on prioritizing handling finesse over outright horsepower.

If it can translate that philosophy into the electric era, the new A110 could become one of the few EVs that enthusiasts genuinely want to drive rather than simply admire on a specification sheet.

The production model remains several years away, and Alpine continues to keep most of the technical details under wraps. Exact output, battery capacity, driving range, acceleration figures, and curb weight all remain unanswered questions.

Still, the direction is becoming clear.

The next A110 won’t attempt to imitate its predecessor by pretending batteries don’t exist. Instead, Alpine is embracing electrification while engineering around its biggest compromises. Rear-wheel drive, careful weight distribution, lightweight materials, and chassis-first development suggest the company understands that sports cars are defined by feel as much as speed.

The A110 Future will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next week before evolving into the production model scheduled to reach customers in 2027. Beyond that, Alpine has already confirmed plans for a larger 2+2 electric sports coupe that will revive the A310 name for the first time since 1984.

For a company built on lightweight driving machines, the electric era represents its biggest challenge yet. Whether the next A110 becomes the benchmark Alpine promises remains to be seen—but at least it appears determined to tackle that challenge on its own terms.

Source: Alpine

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Porsche Unveils Three Unique 911s Inspired by Toy Story 5

Movie tie-ins are usually forgettable. A special-edition crossover here, a sticker package there, and everyone moves on. Porsche, however, doesn’t do forgettable.

To celebrate the release of Toy Story 5, the German sports-car maker has unleashed a trio of one-off 911s that transform Pixar’s most beloved characters into rolling works of automotive art. Created by Porsche’s ultra-exclusive Sonderwunsch personalization division, the three bespoke sports cars draw inspiration from Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Jessie—and, unsurprisingly, the level of detail borders on obsessive.

Unlike most Sonderwunsch commissions, these cars weren’t ordered by deep-pocketed collectors. Instead, Porsche built them as part of a charitable initiative supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the American Red Cross, and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. That means these may be among the rarest 911s ever created—because there was never a customer behind the order sheet in the first place.

To Infinity and Beyond in a GT3 RS

The most outrageous of the three is also the most fitting. Based on the track-focused 911 GT3 RS, Porsche’s Buzz Lightyear tribute looks like it rolled straight out of Andy’s toy box and onto a racetrack.

The bodywork combines white with flashes of Green Yellow, Lizard Green, Fire Red, Light Sport Grey, and purple, faithfully recreating the Space Ranger’s instantly recognizable color palette. But it’s the finer details that reveal the full extent of Sonderwunsch’s handiwork. Purple accents appear on the front aero vents, the driver’s-side intake, and even the upper section of the towering rear wing.

Space Ranger graphics are scattered throughout the exterior, while custom “Lightyear” lettering adorns the Goodyear tire sidewalls. Inside, the theme continues with white and gray leather, Alcantara trim, purple accents, and carbon-fiber door sills bearing Buzz’s famous catchphrase: “To Infinity and Beyond.”

It’s exactly the sort of machine Buzz would choose if intergalactic patrol duty suddenly required a Nürburgring lap record.

Woody Gets the Purist’s Choice

If Buzz is the extrovert of the group, Woody’s 911 is the understated enthusiast’s pick.

Built around the lightweight, manual-only 911 Carrera T, the Woody-inspired model swaps cartoon theatrics for subtle craftsmanship. Porsche developed a unique denim-inspired blue finish by blending Golf Blue, White, and Dark Sea Blue, creating a paint color that evokes the sheriff’s iconic jeans without resorting to literal graphics.

Aurum-finished details on the mirrors, front splitter, wheel center caps, and window trim add warmth, while Coffee Black accents provide contrast. The result is a surprisingly elegant interpretation of a character known for cowboy boots and a pull-string voice box.

The cabin is where the theme becomes unmistakable. Brown vintage leather is paired with Cognac and Dark Night Blue hides, while Cohiba Brown stitching and a yellow-and-red checkered seat-back pattern reference Woody’s western attire. Door-sill plates complete the package with the inscription: “Ride Like the Wind!”

Like the character itself, this is a 911 that doesn’t need to shout to get attention.

Jessie Brings the Drama

The final member of the trio is perhaps the most visually striking.

Based on the 911 Targa 4 GTS, the Jessie-inspired creation wears a custom paint finish called Jessie White Metallic accented by pieces finished in 944 Cobalt Blue Metallic. Bright GTS Red stripes sweep across the bodywork, giving the car a playful sense of motion even when standing still.

The most clever touch may be the Targa roof itself, which mimics the appearance of Jessie’s signature cowgirl hat with beige detailing integrated into the design.

Inside, Porsche went all-in. Dark Night Blue, Bordeaux Red, and Pebble Grey leather cover nearly every surface, while Pebble Grey stitching ties the palette together. Black-and-white cowhide-pattern floor mats provide a direct nod to Jessie’s western roots, and illuminated door sills greet occupants with a cheerful “Yee Haw!”

If the Buzz GT3 RS is the loudest and the Woody Carrera T the most sophisticated, the Jessie Targa is the showstopper.

More Than Just Movie Cars

All three Sonderwunsch creations made their public debut at the world premiere of Toy Story 5 in Los Angeles on June 9, turning what was already a major Hollywood event into an unexpected celebration of Porsche craftsmanship.

Whether these one-offs eventually find permanent homes through auction or another charitable avenue remains to be seen. Porsche has yet to announce when—or even if—the cars will be offered for sale.

Still, the trio serves as a reminder that Porsche’s personalization department remains capable of transforming virtually any idea into reality, no matter how unconventional. Because if a GT3 RS can convincingly become Buzz Lightyear, perhaps nothing is off limits anymore.

Source: Porsche

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The 2026 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Turns Serenity Into a Statement

The 2026 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class doesn’t shout. It doesn’t need to. Instead, it glides into the ultra-luxury conversation with the quiet confidence of something that knows it’s already won. And while the formula hasn’t changed—take an S-Class, stretch it, gild it, and obsess over every millimeter—the latest iteration feels less like an upgrade and more like a philosophical reset.

Mercedes-Maybach’s mission here is clear: redefine the luxury sedan not through brute force, but through serenity. The new car leans heavily into that ethos, blending traditional Maybach indulgence with a digital backbone that’s more Silicon Valley than Stuttgart. At the center of it all is Mercedes-Benz’s new MB.OS operating system, making its Maybach debut and turning the cabin into a rolling tech lounge. It’s not just about bigger screens—though there are plenty—it’s about creating a seamless digital experience that evolves over time via over-the-air updates. Think of it as luxury that improves itself while you sleep.

Visually, the changes are subtle but deliberate. The grille grows by 20 percent, which sounds excessive until you see how delicately it’s handled. Illuminated accents, rose-gold headlamp details, and the optional glowing hood ornament create a ceremonial presence rather than a gaudy one. Even the wheels play along, with floating center caps that stay upright thanks to a ball-bearing mechanism—one of those tiny engineering flexes that Maybach customers will absolutely notice.

Inside, the cabin doubles down on the cocooning effect that has defined modern Maybachs. The MBUX Superscreen stretches across the dashboard like a sheet of glass, surrounded by open-pore wood, ambient lighting, and materials that aim to calm rather than overwhelm. There’s even a leather-free interior option featuring the new Mirville textile, signaling that ultra-luxury can be both indulgent and contemporary. It’s sustainability, but dressed in couture.

Of course, the real show remains in the back. Automatic comfort doors open with a button press, executive rear seats recline into business-class territory, and a refrigerated compartment waits to chill champagne. The silver-plated flutes—because plastic would be barbaric—slot neatly into bespoke holders. It’s the kind of detail that reminds you this isn’t just transportation; it’s curated travel.

Under the hood, the new Maybach balances tradition with electrification. Mild-hybrid six- and eight-cylinder engines lead the charge, while a plug-in hybrid promises around 100 kilometers of electric range. And yes, the V12 survives in select markets, because some customers still want their serenity powered by twelve meticulously balanced cylinders. The goal isn’t speed—it’s effortless motion. Even the AIRMATIC suspension now uses cloud-shared road data to anticipate bumps before you feel them.

The tech push continues with advanced driver assistance, a new computing architecture, and an AI-powered virtual assistant capable of holding conversations and remembering preferences. In other words, the car learns you, then adapts. It’s luxury shifting from static opulence to dynamic personalization.

Customization remains the final frontier. Through the MANUFAKTUR program, buyers can choose from more than 150 exterior colors and over 400 interior shades, along with bespoke materials, stitching, and finishes. Nearly every Maybach leaving the Sindelfingen plant will be unique, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to individuality.

In the end, the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class doesn’t try to reinvent the luxury sedan with theatrics. Instead, it refines the formula with quiet precision—more comfort, more intelligence, more personalization. It’s less about arriving and more about the experience between departures. And in a world increasingly obsessed with speed and spectacle, that calm confidence might be the most luxurious thing of all.

Source: Mercedes-Benz