Ever since its unveiling two years ago, the Alpine A110 has been extremely well received by anyone who got a chance to lay their hands on one.

It’s a modern take on the classic berlinetta of the 1960s and 1970s and uses the same engine as the latest Megane RS. Renault, however, stayed faithful to the concept of the original and developed a new, bespoke platform for the modern-day A110.

Also See: Is The Alpine A110 A True Affordable Alternative To The McLaren 570S?

Unlike the compact hatchback, the new A110 carries its engine in the middle and is rear-wheel drive, making it a proper sports car. And even though it’s not the most powerful one out there, with the 1.8-liter turbocharged unit producing 252 PS (248 hp / 185 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque, it’s still capable of hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) thanks to its lightweight construction.

Those who drove it were very impressed, going as far as calling it an affordable alternative to the McLaren 570S. That’s a bold claim, but there’s definitely something behind that statement. And if you haven’t had the chance to hop inside the new A110, then you can still get an opinion of what it’s like from behind the wheel by checking out the following POV video.

This is the A110 Legende variant, which starts from €59.700 ($67,103) in France, whereas the entry-level Pure model comes with a €55,800 ($62,720) sticker price. That puts it squarely on Porsche 718 Cayman territory – but that’s perfectly fine, as the compact French sports car can more than hold its own against Weissach’s entry level sports car.