Alpine will make its North American appearance in 2027. Until then, the company will focus on building an all-electric lineup and will stop making the lightweight, mid-engine A110 sports car. On this side of the ocean, Alpine fans are having a bit of a monkey paw moment since this isn’t what we asked for when we first saw the A110 and begged Alpine to bring its goods to the US. This weekend in Italy, Alpine, Zagato, and La Squadra, Poland’s exotic car provider, will show off the AGTZ Twin Tail, a coachbuilt version of the A110. This is likely an attempt to make the lead even smaller. At a price point exceeding $700,000, the AGTZ is not your typical A110. It’s a boutique offering reminiscent of Alpine’s V8-powered A220 Le Mans concept from the late 1960s. While the regular car’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is impressive, the AGTZ is not about sheer performance. It’s about exclusivity and a unique driving experience that only a select few can enjoy. Even though the engine problem is sad, I really like how this car looks from the outside. I’ve always liked big headlight covers better than round sealed beams. They looked great on the first Alfa 33 Stradale, all Group C cars ever made, and this one too. The AGTZ is different from other cars because its modular back lets owners choose between short and long tails. The AGTZ is painted in the Alpine tri-color livery of the brand’s historic races and looks like a small McLaren Speedtail when it is in long-tail mode. Turbofan wheels finish off the retro-forward look. Undoubtedly, the AGTZ is a departure from the norm. It’s a car that is playing with its size, resembling a caricature of a famous racecar or a prototype for a single-seater car made from a Japanese kei car. It’s attempting to project a smaller, sleeker, and more aggressive image. However, one thing is clear: it’s not a car in which I would personally invest almost $1 million. But, despite my reservations, I can still appreciate its unique design and enjoy the visual experience it offers.
