The next-generation Alpine A110 will introduce a new driver-focused cockpit design that majors on physical controls – and it will then be rolled out to all of its models.
The third-generation A110, due to be launched next year with exclusively electric power and previewed below, will be Alpine's first model to feature a completely bespoke interior, rather than one adapted from sibling brand Renault's cars - and the company will favour analogue switchgear over digital controls.
Alpine design boss Antony Villain spoke to reporters as the brand's new A390 SUV made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and said the marque will emphasise the importance of driver engagement and minimise distraction with its next-gen cabins.
"Starting on the future A110, we will enter a new generation of cockpit that will be really, really new," he said. "We'll stay with the same ingredients, but we push further. Once again, we are now building something really strong and this will be developed on all the cars that are coming."
The Alpine A290 hot hatchback is based on the Renault 5 so largely shares that car's cockpit, with a large wraparound digital display on the dashboard, while the A390 has a similar set-up to the Renault Megane E-Tech, with most functions controlled by a 12in portrait touchscreen.
Villain acknowledged that such screens are the norm now, because "customers want technology on purpose", but said Alpine's more driver-focused cars need a more traditional and physical approach. "So we'll have a lot of physical button mixing with minimal digital things," he said.
He added: "Of course there is this trend of having screens everywhere but, to be honest, when you want to focus on driving, you don't really focus on screens. You need to have instinctive access to every crucial function.
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Buttons, at last manufacturers are listening. Next get of 2 foot wide LED screens.
Any car brand that can get away with charging £276K for a little sportscar deserves a pat on the back,even more so if it sells all of them.
I'm a big fan of the concept of an electric Alpine A110. Hope it comes good! Can't wait.