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Recently updated on January 11, 2022 at 12:10 am
Continuation of a long tradition: the French gendarmerie ordered 26 Alpine A110s for their rapid response teams. The delivery of the sporty fleet will begin in early 2022 and will take place over four years. The Alpine A110s, which were specially converted for the rapid response forces, come from the main Alpine factory in Dieppe and are then adapted to the requirements of the gendarmerie by the conversion specialist Durisotti, who is also based in northern France. The equipment features of the 26 sports cars include the typical lettering, reflective foils, blue lights, an emergency horn and a special signal system. Two of the new emergency vehicles are used exclusively for training purposes.
Alpine A110 as a police car
With the order for the Alpine A110, the Gendarmerie Nationale is continuing a long tradition: the first generation of the blue Berlinette was part of the fleet of the fast emergency brigade BRI (Brigade Rapide d'Intervention) as early as 1966. Since then, numerous other models from the Renault Group have been used by law enforcement officers: Alpine A110 (1966 to 1973), Alpine A310 (1973 to 1987), Renault 18 Turbo (1984 to 1987), Renault 21 2L Turbo (1992 to 1995), Mégane (2001 to 2006), Mégane III RS (2011 to 2021). The French Ministry of the Interior made its decision in favor of the legendary sports car because of its performance and agility. In addition to the performance of the 185 kW / 252 hp mid-engine model, the relatively moderate consumption and CO₂ emission values were also decisive for the choice.
When the fast emergency teams of the French gendarmerie are required on the motorway, there is no way around powerful vehicles. That is why the police recently ordered 26 Alpine A110s, which will replace the currently used and also extremely sporty Renault Mégane RS. Squadron chief Richard Filmotte - curator of the National Gendarmerie Museum - tells how the 50-year association between the gendarmerie and the legendary Berlinette is being rekindled with the new sports car.
FAST, FASTER, ALPINE
"Did I do something wrong?" Every French driver asked himself this question as soon as a blue Renault 4 or an Estafette appeared in the rearview mirror or on the side of the road. For decades, both Renault models were the epitome of law and order on the roads. With the expansion of the motorway network in the 1960s, however, more and more vehicles came into focus that could drive well over 200 km / h.
"When working at high speeds um 230 km / h, it is crucial that our emergency drivers drive their vehicle can trust completely." Richard Filmotte, squadron chief of the gendarmerie
A special car for a specific job
"The tailor-made, fast vehicles gave our organization a more modern, technological image, which was reinforced by the use of the Alpine A110 in 1967, ”says Richard Filmotte. “The main task of the rapid response teams is to protect road users. In the event of an incident, we need to be able to react quickly. Powerful vehicles are essential when every second is involved. "
Only the best are allowed to drive
Each team for the Alpine A110 is carefully selected: "The drivers undergo a thorough medical examination and their driving skills are assessed on a racetrack," explains Richard Filmotte. This is followed by special training on the Le Mans-Bugatti race track so that you can familiarize yourself with the vehicles and concentrate fully on your task.
Continuation of a long tradition
After the famous Berlinette left in 1973, the gendarmerie switched to the more modern Alpine A310, which was in use until 1987. Even after that, the police kept relying on powerful Renault models to curb excesses in road traffic. The experienced drivers relied on the Renault 18 Turbo (1984 to 1987), the Renault 21 2L Turbo (1992-1995), the Renault Mégane II (2001-2006) and the latest Renault Mégane RS (2011-2021). The Gendarmerie Museum in Melun, directed by Richard Filmotte, is the proud owner of a copy of each of these vehicles.
A new mission for the A110
Now the new Alpine A110 has inherited from its famous predecessor. The French Ministry of the Interior made its decision in favor of the sports car because of its performance and agility. In addition to the performance of the 185kW / 252 HP mid-engine model, the agile chassis and precise handling were also decisive for the choice. The new patrol cars are painted in a typical Gendarmerie, dark Abysse blue.
After their assembly in Dieppe in Normandy, the 26 Alpine A110s will be handed over to the specialist company Durisotti near Lille. There, in addition to their original equipment, they are equipped with accessories such as flashing lights and sirens as well as with the appropriate stickers and reflective markings. In a few years one of the new vehicles will undoubtedly park in the museum in Melun next to its ancestors. Richard Filmotte will then look after it with the same care and attention as the A310, which he was allowed to drive himself during his career.
Don't worry, of course that was far from being the case when it came to auto / auto tuning. Our magazine still has tens of thousands other tuning reports in stock. Do you want to see them all? Then just click HERE and look around. Or are you particularly interested in everything to do with vehicles from the brand Alpine? Then the following excerpt is for sure just the right thing.
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Photo credit: Alpine
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