Notably, the lap is a 20-second improvement on the already sprightly A110 R. Most of the gains will no doubt come from the 49bhp hike in power and 59lb ft uplift in torque. That power figure is only available when running 102 RON fuel – what the factory mapping is optimised for and no doubt used for the lap. On regular 98 RON super unleaded, the Ultime’s ECU restricts output to 325bhp. To improve durability, the Ultime has adopted new forged pistons and con rods and utilises a stronger six-speed dual-clutch transmission in place of the R’s seven-speed unit.

But there is more to the Ultime’s time than raw acceleration. The car is the work of a small skunkworks team, led by Laurent Hurgon, Alpine test driver and GT4 racer – “I drew on my eight years of experience at the wheel of the A110 in GT4. Every weekend, we fine-tune the set-up to improve our performance.”

It is therefore no surprise that aero tweaks feature prominently. A front splitter with a flexible lip, fins and endplates on the bumpers, revised cooling tracks, an adjustable biplane rear wing, and a ducktail spoiler result in an additional 160kg of downforce at 170mph.

Wider front wheels, measuring 18 inches at the front (10mm wider than the A110 R) and 19 inches at the rear, are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, developed specifically for the Ultime. Behind them sit 330mm bi-compound AP Racing brake discs with high-friction brake pads, clamped by Brembo callipers. New Öhlins TTX coilovers permit adjustment for ride height, compression and rebound – offering a wider scope for customisation than the adjustable suspension fitted to the A110 R.

Despite the commitment to minimising weight, the Alpine still faces punitive taxes in its native France, falling foul of the higher emissions and horsepower bands. This results in an on-the-road price of €265,000 (including VAT), with the introductory La Bleue variant, featuring a blended two-tone paint, costing an eye-watering €330,000. UK pricing is yet to be confirmed, but expect to pay in the region of £200,000.