Alpine's Paris Surprise Revealed the PS1 Concept and the Electric A110

Alpine will unveil its PS1 (Projet Spécial 1) concept to the world at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, 2026. This fully electric unit, drawing curiosity with its body-flush headlights, will share the stage with the brand's electric A110 built on the new APP platform, and is read as a concrete step toward CEO Philippe Krief's vision of a limited-volume "special series" similar to Porsche's model.

When and Where Will the PS1 Be Unveiled?

On the Mondial de l'Auto's press day, the PS1 will take the stage on the morning of October 12 at 09:20 CEST. The unveiling won't be limited to the show grounds; Alpine will also stream the event live, meaning viewers who won't be making it to Paris can be there from the very first moment. The stand is in Hall 6, number A22; the show keeps its doors open between October 12-18.

The company is bringing four premieres together at its stand: the PS1 concept, the A110 sculpture, the A290 Collection, and new color and trim options for the A390 - among them the matte-painted A390 GTS in the "Bleu Tempête" shade. So the PS1 won't be the sole center of attention; Alpine is aiming to showcase its electrifying product lineup under one roof.

The Only Clue: Body-Flush Headlights

The official side has so far shared only a single teaser image of the PS1, and even that image was enough to spark discussion. Thin LED units are hidden beneath covers that blend into the flat hood when closed; the covers recess into the body to reveal the headlights. This solution is a reinterpretation of the classic "hidden headlight" concept of automotive lore with today's technology - headlights used to pop up and open, but now, quite the opposite, they are drawn into the body.

In the same image, wide fenders and camera-based side mirrors can also be made out. The light signature carrying the colors of the French flag shows the brand doesn't take its identity lightly. The body style, engine power, and technical details will only become clear once announced; at this stage there is no reason to chase rumors.

What Does the Name "Projet Spécial 1" Mean?

PS1 is the abbreviation of the expression "Projet Spécial 1" and points to one of the three pillars in Alpine's product strategy. The brand builds its lineup on three columns: "Extraordinary Everyday," which carries volume and growth, "Icons," led by the A110, and the "special projects" pillar, which houses limited-number, high-profile projects. The PS1 is the first representative of this third column.

Even this naming reveals the intent. The PS1 is an extraordinary project within the pursuit of low-volume series production; like the special versions born from race homologation in the old days, it exists to test the brand's upper limit. The concept is expected to preview a future production model, but no official announcement has been made yet.

APP Platform: The New Foundation of the Electric Sports Car

Seen as the technical backbone of the PS1, APP (Alpine Performance Platform) is the modular, fully electric architecture the brand is developing for its next-generation sports models. The body, built with welded and bonded aluminum techniques, carries the goals of high rigidity and low weight at the same time. On the battery side, 800-volt architecture and a cell-to-pack layout stand out; integrating the cells directly into the pack aims to save weight along with high energy density. Two different battery packs are planned.

The platform can also adapt to hybrid and internal combustion versions; however, the PS1 is expected to be fully electric, and there is a strong expectation that it will share the same foundation as the electric A110. This is the classic advantage of modular platforms: a single architecture serving different markets with different upper structures. Alpine's effort to carry its traditional lightweight discipline from Dieppe into the electric world is the truly interesting part.

On the Same Stage as the Electric A110

In Paris, alongside the PS1, the A110 Sculpture statue based on the APP platform will also be publicly displayed for the first time. This design work covered in blue tulle shows the design direction of the third-generation A110 before the production vehicle, and its inspiration contains a reference to the Concorde's supersonic moment. Krief had said that an announcement about the third-generation A110 would be made in the first half of 2026; the calendar pointing to the production unveiling indicates the 2027 model year.

What Do the Numbers Say?

No official definitive figures have been announced, but the targets relayed by the CEO reveal the scale of the project: 464+ hp of power, a target weight under 3000 pounds (~1360 kg), and a dual-motor, rear-wheel-drive layout on the rear axle. Two separate battery packs will be used to maintain 800-volt technology and the 40:60 front-rear weight balance. Weight targets vary between 1300 kg and 1450 kg across reports; this difference stems from measurement definitions and variability during the development phase, and will become clear closer to the production vehicle's date.

These targets are a serious claim that an electric sports car can preserve the traditional balance. The lightness and agility in the A110's original formula are the toughest exam of electrification; Alpine is taking this exam directly on Porsche's home ground.

Philippe Krief's "Special Series" Vision: The Porsche Model or the Ferrari Model?

What makes the PS1 strategically meaningful is the special series approach explained by CEO Philippe Krief. Krief says that the approach of the A110 R Ultime - with a price tag of £267,000, introduced at the 2024 Paris Show as the pinnacle model - could be repeated on the new platform:

Just as we did with the Ultime, we added more power, a gearbox, a completely revised chassis, and aerodynamics. These could be electric, ICE, or hybrid. When you have a new platform and powertrain branches, there is a massive opportunity.

Internally referred to as "Exclusive," these models will be produced in low numbers and positioned as a gateway into the premium performance and supercar market. Krief's pointing to the A110 R Ultime as proof of this opportunity is not in vain; repackaging a proven chassis formula with premium equipment is a classic strategy and a model that has worked for many years. It is precisely the path Porsche has been following for years.

In the broader picture, Alpine is also reshaping its US plans: rather than a high-volume SUV, rather than seeking Porsche-level series production volumes, it aims for a Ferrari-like special/exclusive positioning. This is a bold but sensible choice for a small brand; directing limited resources not into the volume race, but into the margin race. Alpine, which recorded triple-digit growth in 2025 with the sales of the A290 and A390, is sustaining organic growth in 2026 and expanding its retail network to 25 countries, also has the commercial footing to stand behind this decision.

What Does This Breaking Point Mean?

In the story of the brand within the Renault group, Paris 2026 is a threshold. In the old days, it would have meant a concept, a fantasy style study; today it is a commitment resting on a platform, a battery architecture, and a production schedule. When the PS1 is displayed alongside the electric A110, Alpine's message becomes clear: the brand is pursuing lightness and driving purity in the electric world as well, and it will defend this not with a single model, but with three distinct product pillars.

The PS1's full identity will be revealed on the morning of October 12. But the sight of two electric sports cars - a concept and a sculpture - standing side by side on the stand makes visible a French brand's claim, after many years, of carrying the sports car tradition into the next decade. I say this as someone who has swallowed plenty of dust in this business: it has been a long time since we saw such a clear strategy from Dieppe.

Sources

• Alpine PS1 To Be Unveiled at Paris Motor Show +VIDEO
• Alpine Performance Platform (APP) - Alpine official
• A110 Future: performance prototype - Alpine official
• New Alpine PS1 concept set to stun 2026 Paris Motor Show
• Mysterious Alpine PS1 Concept teased ahead of 2026 Paris Motor Show
• Alpine A110 EV Targets Sub-3000-Pound Weight, Over 464 HP
• New Alpine A110 EV: two electric motors, two battery packs
• Alpine Wants to Be More Ferrari Than Porsche
• 2027 Alpine A110 – the new Porsche rival will be less 'cute' and more aggressive
• Alpine unveils dedicated EV sportscar platform with 800V cell-to-pack battery