Porsche May Not Be The Sole Manufacturer Reassessing Its Commitments to Electric Sports Cars | Carscoops

      Horse's new dual-motor hybrid engine may find its place in the back of Alpine's upcoming A110

       October 25, 2025, at 09:22

      

      

      

      

       by Chris Chilton

      

      

      

      

      

      Alpine is considering a hybrid variant for the next-generation A110 set to debut in 2027.

      Initially, the successor to the current A110 was intended to be exclusively electric.

      Recently, Porsche made a similar decision regarding its new 718 models.

      

      Alpine’s lightweight A110 sports coupe is known for its exceptional steering feel and balance, making it competitive even against the Cayman. Thus, when the brand announced that the next-gen A110 would be solely electric, traditionalists collectively sighed in disappointment.

      However, not all hope is lost, as developments within the Renault group could lead to a hybrid A110.

      Hybrid Developments

      Horse, a company established in 2023 as a collaboration between Renault and Geely of China, has created two petrol-electric engines aimed at assisting automakers in hybridizing electric vehicle platforms.

      Both engine versions are 1.5-liter transverse four-cylinder units (with a possibility of introducing a three-cylinder in the future), and are remarkably compact, with the base model featuring one electric motor located between the engine and transmission measuring only 25.6 inches (650 mm) in length.

      Related: Porsche Is Reintroducing Gas Power Into the Next 718

      The second version, which is likely to captivate A110 enthusiasts, includes an extra motor positioned at the end of the transmission, extending the length by an additional 3.5 inches (89 mm).

      Motor Trend reports that this variant produces 349 hp (354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque, making it less powerful than the top-spec electric A110, yet sufficiently spirited for such a lightweight vehicle.

      Alpine claims that even the electric version will weigh under 3,200 lbs (1,450 kg), and a hybrid would almost certainly be lighter. The current internal combustion engine A110, which performs well with its 249 hp (252 PS), tips the scales at just 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg).

      How Likely Is the Hybrid A110?

      To clarify, neither Alpine nor Horse has confirmed any hybrid plans for the A110, but this news offers a glimmer of hope for fans who feared the beloved coupe would disappear entirely. Given the Renault affiliation and recent events at Porsche, it seems plausible.

      Porsche, after initially intending for the next-generation 718 Cayman and Boxster to be fully electric, has decided to continue offering combustion-engine models in response to customer demand.

      Car enthusiasts have largely been resistant to the notion of heavy and quiet EVs that sacrifice mechanical excitement for extended range and instant torque.

      Horse

      What Lies Ahead for Alpine?

      Similar to Porsche, Alpine is trying to find a delicate balance between environmental concerns and emotional engagement. While its parent company Renault is heavily investing in electrification, Alpine’s brand identity revolves around agility, which battery packs often hinder.

      While most buyers may lean towards a traditional combustion engine setup, emissions regulations make that increasingly difficult. A hybrid A110 could serve as an attractive middle ground, allowing low-speed electric operation combined with the throttle response and auditory feedback that enthusiasts desire.

      Moreover, whereas Porsche is reserving combustion for premium models in the upcoming 718 series, leveraging Horse technology could allow Alpine to offer the hybrid at a more accessible price point.

      Unfortunately for American fans, none of this matters, as the A110 is not available in the US and that is unlikely to change regardless of the engine configuration.

      In fact, Alpine has paused its plans for the American market due to President Trump’s tariffs, even though they had previously committed to introducing a couple of crossovers and SUVs to North America starting in 2027.